Tags
blogs, internet, IRL Social Club, New York Times, Patrick Janelle, social interaction, Spring Street Social Society
Last week, I read “The IRL Social Clubs” in the October 2nd edition of The New York Times.
The central focus of the article came as its author, Laura M. Holson, said “In an era where people flock to Facebook to find friends or communicate solely via text, a growing niche of entrepreneurs is building businesses that help people meet the old-fashioned way: in person. As digital connections have blossomed, so too has a sense of loneliness among some users.”
I remember when the Internet first came on the scene – the media hyped it up, predicting that the majority of us would be telecommuting, working from home and setting our own hours. But what about chats around the water cooler? Lunch with a coworker? And the idle chitchat at the copy machine?
Seems the internet, as useful as it is, can be isolating. According to “Researchers Link Use of Internet, Social Isolation” by Kenneth M. Dixon in Sanford News, “The world is more connected than ever before, (Professor Norman Nie) said, but people spend less time in person with those they care about. With regards to social interactions, he explained, quantity has replaced quality.”
That’s partially what prompted the creation of The IRL Social Club. Because while some don’t mind creating and living in an online world, others need face-to-face interaction.
One of the founders of the Spring Street Social Society, which hosts social events like the IRL Social Club, is Patrick Janelle. He has “about 276,000” Instagram followers, but he still craves human contact.
Plain and simple, while working online is great for those who need time alone, others are refreshed and renewed by time spent with other creatives.
Today’s post on Rubber Ducky Copywriter, “Five Ways to Keep Your Creative Well Topped Off” discusses what to do when writers hit a dry spell, and it also applies to what we’re talking about here. In Point #1, Erica Hayes says that “running dialogue over a cup of coffee has an energy that doesn’t translate through the internet.”
I’m somewhere in the middle. I need time alone to recharge, and appreciate quiet, but when my friend, Cassy, hosts her First Fridays, complete with art and music, it’s a great time to meet other like-minded people and enjoy some face-to-face interaction.
So…what’s the balance between having an online presence and satisfying any need you may have for social interaction??
Here are a few bloggers you need to meet – their blogs are funny, supportive, and downright enjoyable:
Jess Witkins over at The Happiness Project
Susie Lindau at Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride
Peter Mallett at Writing in Color
Barbara Techel at Joyful Paws
Tracy Sayre at The HeSo Project
Karen Tezen at Following His Path
Peg at Peg-o-Leg’s Ramblings
Thanks so much for the shout!
I would have to answer no, since I have friends like you. 🙂 As a writer, I love getting together with”my people” to talk shop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Susie! And yes, I like talking shop, too, especially with people who have as much fun writing as you do. Enjoy your day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for mentioning my blog, Deanne – sure to appreciate it! I enjoyed this post and can relate. While I do find much value in having social media, I also need one on one contact too. But I like the age I am at and feeling good about creating my own boundaries around that too, choosing who I will be face to face with that will uplift and add positive to my life. Like you, when we have tea! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes – it’s the boundaries that keep us productive and appropriately focused. “Uplifting” is a good word to keep in mind, and I think it’s tea weather one of these days, don’t you? 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Deanne, for the mention and the link.
Like you, I definitely need my quiet time. However a couple shots of creative conversation from time to time help recharge. I’m in a cubicle environment and so have regular interactions with fellow creatives. However, when I freelance from home, I enjoy engaging with people face to face a couple of times a month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Erica. We sound similar in the sense that it’s a balance. I don’t mind working alone, but every once in a while, I need that “shot” from being around other creative people. It’s an energizing feeling and I come away with plenty of new ideas.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for the shout-out. I do think that online socializing can take the place of real-life for some, often to too great an extent.
I saw a program once about one of those online, role-playing games that can consume people’s lives. I was thinking most of them were pathetic, but then they interviewed a guy who was severely, physically handicapped. They ended with a shot of his avatar in the game bounding off into the sunset, a thing he couldn’t do in real life. It made me stop and think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Peg – That’s a perceptive observation. We can never really know what interaction anyone gets from being online. If this man can’t get out, then his online time is very important to him. Good thought you had.
LikeLike
Thanks for the link love, Deanne!! I would have to say that being a new blogger is the scariest because it feels isolated and that everyone is ahead of you, but my advice is just stick with it and you’ll learn how to do the things you see on other blogs and meet amazing people – like yourself! I love my blogging community. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Jess! That’s very good advice, because it’s too easy to think that yes, everyone else is ahead of you, when it’s just a process that unfolds for everyone as you go.
LikeLike
I’ve been meaning to get on here forever and say thanks for the link! I am like you in that I need a mixture of solitude and company to keep me creative. I love having the sense of community and friendship within the blogosphere.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Karen! I agree – I also need the balance of community and solitude to keep me inspired and motivated. It’s been so very interesting and rewarding meeting bloggers from around the world – this gives the unique opportunity of feeling a sense of togetherness while still being alone at home. A nice balance!
LikeLike