Whenever I hear someone say something about meeting someone on the internet, my first thought is "Oh boy, here we go......." but I have to say, from my own experience and interactions with people I've me online, there are an awful lot of good people out there. I think that probably says a lot more about human nature than the internet though. From my involvement in discussion boards and twitter, I've met quite a feel people who have become good friends- many of whom I've never met face to face, but who are friends none the less.
Here's what got me thinking about this today- I was having a bit of a twitter chat with someone, and when the topic of the Boston Marathon came up, he mentioned that he was from the Boston area and that if I had any questions, he'd give me his phone number and I could give him a call. I did, and we chatted for about 20 minutes, with him giving me the scoop on where I could find cheaper hotels than downtown, tips on public transit, suggestions on where my family could spectate. That's really nice- I'm a total stranger to this guy, but he was willing to give me his home phone # (and he had no idea if I'm a psycho or not. I'm not, in case you're wondering. Like I'd tell you if I was though...........), and give up some of his Sunday afternoon to help me out.
After I got off the phone I got thinking about other people I'd met online, mostly related to running. I've had lots of amazing offers, like if I'm ever in the area to give them a shout so we can go for a run together, or offers to stay with them, or offers to pick me up at the airport- amazing stuff that they were offering to a guy they'd only ever met online.
At times I kind of despair for humanity. There are times when you wonder where the goodness in the world has gone (like if you read youtube comments- you really can become convinced that the collective intelligence and decency of the human race is on the wane), but then you get a little spark of light and hope. There are good people everywhere- people who are willing to go out of their way to help a total stranger. This evening I feel encouraged. I know that there's a lot wrong with our world, but there is also a lot of goodness too.
Here's what got me thinking about this today- I was having a bit of a twitter chat with someone, and when the topic of the Boston Marathon came up, he mentioned that he was from the Boston area and that if I had any questions, he'd give me his phone number and I could give him a call. I did, and we chatted for about 20 minutes, with him giving me the scoop on where I could find cheaper hotels than downtown, tips on public transit, suggestions on where my family could spectate. That's really nice- I'm a total stranger to this guy, but he was willing to give me his home phone # (and he had no idea if I'm a psycho or not. I'm not, in case you're wondering. Like I'd tell you if I was though...........), and give up some of his Sunday afternoon to help me out.
After I got off the phone I got thinking about other people I'd met online, mostly related to running. I've had lots of amazing offers, like if I'm ever in the area to give them a shout so we can go for a run together, or offers to stay with them, or offers to pick me up at the airport- amazing stuff that they were offering to a guy they'd only ever met online.
At times I kind of despair for humanity. There are times when you wonder where the goodness in the world has gone (like if you read youtube comments- you really can become convinced that the collective intelligence and decency of the human race is on the wane), but then you get a little spark of light and hope. There are good people everywhere- people who are willing to go out of their way to help a total stranger. This evening I feel encouraged. I know that there's a lot wrong with our world, but there is also a lot of goodness too.
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