From: smithrud@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (Carolyn Louise Smithrud)
Subject: Re: Net "Addiction": a Theory
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 23:44:53 GMT

In article <1992Jul21.141556.28494@seq.uncwil.edu> hotsenp@seq.uncwil.edu (Hotsenpiller Chanda) writes:
>cj@eno.corp.sgi.com (C J Silverio) writes:
>
>>---
>>jgm@ais.org (jim miller) writes:
>>|Me too.  I've met some great people on muds.  Most of my friends I met
>>|on muds.  I live with someone I met on muds.  That relationship has
>>|transcended the network and is a normal, healthy relationship, though
>>|it has its ups and downs like any normal relationship.
>
>>The implication is that relationships that involve electronic
>>communication are unhealthy.  Can you justify your assertion?
>>(I reject it, btw, but I'm willing to look at your evidence.
>>If you have any.)
>
>	If you say that electronic communication is unhealthy, then why 
>are you reading the news group.... This newsgroup is a form of electronic
>communication... Also what is the difference between communicating over a 
>phone and thru a computer.   Both are forms of electronic communication..
>	I have several friends through mud.. I believe friendships and 
>relationships are based on respect and trust of both parties. I have met 
>some real nice people in mud... And I have respect and trust for these 
>people and I consider them a penpal thru the network.. Every time I come in 
>to a mud game --- I am hugged several times... Mostly by friends that I HAVE
>made thru the game.   Normally it takes 10 minutes or so until the "HI"'s and
>hugs stop.... I love it!! And to tell me that having a friend is "UNHEALTHY" 
>thru a game is wrong for you to say.. Just because you don't physically see
>a person does not make it "UNHEATHY" relationship.  If you say that then
>you are condemming relationships over the phone, and mail too.  
>	I realize that mud is a social game.  I rather play a game in which
>you can take the time to learn about other player and learn about other
>cultures than my own....  Mud gives you the chance... 
>
>			Chanda Hotsenpiller (better known as newcomer and undead)
>

Chanda,

I agree that network relationships/friendships are one of the best things
about electronic communication, as long as expectations on both sides are
similar and the relationships carry themselves out in an unharmful manner.
I have seen good and bad come out of network relationships.  It depends 
a lot on the individuals involved.

Reading some of the latest responses to this topic, the question people
seem to be answering is:  Is network communication unhealthy?  I don't
see a way that anyone could answer yes to this.  We've seen too many
examples indicating otherwise and I think that's encouraging.  However,
how about some discussion on:  Does network communcation have the
POTENTIAL to become unhealthy?  I think people might have some interesting
responses to this whether they speak from experience or use speculation.
Anyone?  Also, how about network communication that doesn't involve
friendships?  Consider, for example, the users who use irc, not to make
friends, but to have a forum for venting steam or getting away with abusive
language.  There might be some logic to the question of network communication
being unhealthy if there are individuals who feel they have to use irc or
muds for reasons like those stated in the previous sentence.  I use the
word "might" because I'm not sure, but does anyone see anything unhealthy
in such uses or ones that are similar?  Not all types of partipation in
network communication are healthy.  I have some personal experiences that
involve friendships that began through network comm which I found to be
unhealthy.  I will be happy to relate them via email to anyone who is
interested.  Another note on the question of whether network comm is 
unhealthy or has the potential to be:  It seems most people are relating
whether it has or hasn't been unhealthy to them.  How about the other
side?  For example, if I'm participating in a form of network comm
that I believe is not unhealthy to me, could it be having an unhealthy
effect on other people I interact with?

Thanks for reading,

Cari Smithrud 





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