An online community consists of a group of people who interact in a digital space around a shared interest or topic, whose interactions may deepen over time. The site might start out as a random group of people, but it quickly progresses into a social community. As mentioned in the IRL documentary, people started talking because of a common interest, but it became a gateway to establishing relationships. Baym commented on the deeper connection users grow: members of “online groups develop a strong sense of group membership” (72). The opportunity to share other interests with a wide variety of people creates a realm of possibilities for relationships. These are often possibilities that are not offered in the real world. These groups are connected in a way that “transcends local communities” (Baym, 97). People get involved because of a shared interest, and they become engrossed as they develop ties with each other and build authentic relationships (Rheingold).
“The Bronze” was the modeled after the name of a club, and it became a hangout of its own as an online community. The community was referenced as a “never-ending text-based version of a party” where you could actually relate to neighbors. You had more choice in forming you relationships – something the real world heavily limits.
When I was a Freshman in high school, I was a member of a LiveJournal community that revolved around the show Late Night With Conan O’Brien. Some of these members later created a separate Fan Website. The front page had screencaps, icons, graphics, and soundclips for the public, and there was a private message board community where members could chat on different threads. We all shared the interest in Conan, and commented on talking points in the show, skits and characters, and jokes. The message boards had many threads, and most of them unrelated to the show. They provided a place for members to talk about a wide variety of topics. As we commented on each other’s posts in the community, we began to communicate and connect outside the sites. Some of us shared outside interests, such as music taste, life stories and struggles, political conversations and thoughts, poetry and photography, etc. I made a deeper connection to some of the members and we became friends. We ended up reading each others’ personal journals and chatting on AIM regularly. I even made one friend in Oregon with whom I regularly talked on the phone. The online community helped provide the support that I didn’t feel comfortable asking for in real life. It didn’t take away from my normal social activities, as I mostly posted late at night when I had no other social responsibilities. The community gave me the freedom to explore parts of myself, interests, concerns, and worries, in similar ways mentioned in the IRL documentary. I wouldn’t have the time to do this now, but it was very helpful at a young age to have a strong sense of community.
It’s fascinating that you were involved in an online community! I thought it was so neat in the documentary how people were talking about their ability to vent and talk about private issues with people online. They felt bonded together, and yet far enough detached from real life that they could open up.
Since you were a member of an online community, do you feel that the readings were accurate? Are you more compelled now to get involved in online communities because of your past positive experience or do you think it was more of an adolescent experience? I haven’t been a member of any online communities so I took the readings as truthful, but I wondered if they mirrored your experience.
I think the readings were pretty accurate. I wasn’t involved in such an intense community as The Bronze, but I know people who have been. They take it very seriously. I think it was an important adolescent experience that helped me develop. I was going through some family struggles that I couldn’t repair in my real world, so I unintentionally sought help online. But, I wouldn’t dismiss it as a youth-oriented desire. The relationships can be very real and supportive, and that can be a very positive experience for anyone.
I would be interested in getting involved in an online community again under a few conditions. My biggest concern is time and investment, as I already have trouble balancing my schedule and responsibilities. The benefits would have to be worth it, meaning the time invested online should be equal to or greater than my real-life relationships, especially if I was sacrificing real-world time to be online.
Also, I would have to be passionate about the interest and it would need to provide me with experience and education that I could apply to my life. This could be skills in hobbies, such as photography, graphic design, or videography. Or a site that provides detailed information and conversations about some social causes I plan to learn more about.
I think it’s really interesting that you met some awesome people while you were a part of an online community. Do you still communicate with anyone you met in that community?
I lost touch with most of them within a few years. I did keep contact with a few of them even after I wasn’t active in the community. But, the more I moved away from our common communication forums (like LJ & AIM), the less motivated I was to stay in contact. There’s something about writing an email or making a phone call that just feels like more work, even if you want to stay in contact.
My sister was (and still is) SUPER involved in various fandom communities. They keep in constant contact across twitter mostly, and are very close friends. They even send each other Christmas & Birthday cards and small gifts. It’s pretty cool to see her collection of assorted trinkets and souvenirs from all over the world.
I like that you mention connection throughout your response. The phenomenon I found about online communities is the ability to connect different people, ethnicities, and genders together to talk about any topic and create relationships without being physically present. You have a great testimony to how an online community can become a positive impact on an individuals life.
Your way of describing online communication is one that I completely agree with in every way. Online communities consist of members who can become friends, even though they may never see each other face-to-face. The trust that can form between members of a community can rival those of some families with enough time. Like you stated in the last part of your blog, having a strong sense of community at an early age could definitely prove beneficial. This is especially true if those strong-sensed individuals grow up and maintain those senses of community as adults, giving them the ability to do something that unites people as a whole.
A lot of the blog posts I have read have talked about the author being involved in some type of online community and then it leading to a relationship in real life based off a common interest. I myself have not had that experience, unless it counts that I met my boyfriend off a social networking site. I think the internet just makes it easier for people to communicate faster with each other.
The Bronze – correct me if I ‘m wrong but wasn’t that the name of the club on Buffy (the TV show not the Movie. Ugh. That movie was gross.) Super cool!
Anyway, I think your post is a really great example of an online community, and how they can provide people with interesting or meaningful relationships. It reminded me a lot of my post on the Walking Dead twitter fandom.
I think your post is a great example of how we all share common interests in an online community. Do you feel a deeper connection with people you chat with within an online communtiy? I have some input with the online communtiy and at times I do feel the virtual connection during chat sessions. Great post.