My Would-Be Dissertation Topic

I am fascinated by how technology and culture interact in the 21st Century... dare I say, the postmodern age? ;-) It's a bad word in my degree as it's a science degree, based on conducting research based on observable facts, whereas we all have a different experience of the internet and a different relationship to it, (kinda phenominological, eh?)... the pathos of the inernet affects us differently and based on where we go, shapes our virtual world.

It is sometimes easier to talk to strangers than people you know. Social networking sites (SNS) make the initial connection easier-you can select based on pre-defined search criteria or interests (stated, assumed, or just "visual interest").

I think that when we find a REAL connection with people, regardless of how that connection started, we should embrace it. We can chat about the weather all day (as our society has grown accustomed to speaking of such banal things to strangers). I say, cut the BS, get down to what people actually care about, what REALLY matters, what people actually feel and need... and we'll get to a better place in our society.

Once a computer-mediated communication event occurs, each party decides on how much to let their "true" selves show and that determines future interactions. We're all under some kind of guise or another, but I think the more honest we are the better. The more we turn virtual communication into real world communication, the better off we'll be as well.