QUESTION FOR Meriadoc and wasoxygen, arguewithatree and _refugee_: Did the face-to-face experience mean anything? Do you feel differently at all now that you've seen the gang in person? I think everyone else already knew each other, but I'd love to hear from my good hubbuddies ecib, thenewgreen, mk, b_b, and insomniasexx on this question. I think theadvancedapes told me that since he had already skyped with some of you, in person was about the same. For me, not the same. There's something about the real world that electrifies me! While electronically mediated communication is amazing, you have to keep talking. In real life - well, you can just glow. What do you all think?
I wrote something long and lovely and I'm afraid I lost it to a dead link. I shall pass along the gist: Hubski has been life- and internet-changing for me. I would never have gone out to meet a bunch internet randos, let alone drive to DC for it, before Hubski came into my life and I begrudgingly was won over by the community and spirit of this place. Hubski has changed the way I see interaction on the internet, and connection with real people. (Before, there was this divide, between "internet" and "real" people.) Last night was wonderful. Nothing beats in person. But what we do on the net and what we do in person are also very different things: I wouldn't trade this website for being able to hang out with you guys every night (no offense!). I love what we do here as well as all you brilliant, lovely, welcoming, cool people. I would love to hang out with basically anyone on Hubski, those I met and those I haven't. I think it's very different and raucously fun while maintaining the whole questioning, discussion-based side of Hubski and who Hubski is. Having really met you guys changes things for me, I know what you look like and your expressions and it gives me a depth of information I didn't have before. I guess it really means a lot to me to meet you guys in person. But, even without meeting you in person, I feel very personally connected to many Hubskiers in a way I've never felt before. My Hubski experience is already so much above the experience I normally have online that, in person or not, you're special to me. Ahhhhhgghhhhh I sound so emotive
i feel this! This is getting my next badge I promise.. you people could be anyone, anywhere. You could be everyone, everywhere. Normally that would make me judge you first, try to understand who you are, whether you're the right type of people for me to spend time with, if that makes sense. On Hubski, I don't. I don't care if you are gay or straight or both or neither. I don't care if you shoot heroin (but dont :D) or hoops on the weekends, I love listening to all of you talk and share and be upset and angry and indifferent and cynical and calm and loving and everything in between. This is a good place. But seriously guys, New York. Srsly.
Thanks, _refugee_. This is so very nice to hear. I believe that one of the most important aspects of this place will remain to be a 'je ne sais quoi'. It's something that we can't operate on directly, but we can know what's good or bad for it. Each meetup has confirmed my feeling that we are doing something worthwhile, and Friday's meetup was no exception. That was a lot of fun.
I think it's way more fun to meet people in person. I haven't posted much but meeting people IRL really made me want to actually be involved in the community. :)
I was glad you came out. It was really nice meeting you and your friend. Hope to see you more around Hubski and good luck in your studies!
lil, How are you doing? :) To answer your question, the face to face experience did change some things materially right off the bat. First of all, it was a pleasure. The convo was fun, stimulating, irreverent, serious, aimless, and pointed. The live experience itself was complimentary to online. I think arguewithatree said it best, -I'd not choose one or the other, but both are enhanced by the other.
thenewgreen kind of smells funny, but other than that it was the same.I think theadvancedapes told me that since he had already skyped with some of you, in person was about the same.