Ok – so today is supposed to be my LAST 200 words about online communities but BEFORE we get to it (cuz I know you’re all like SUPER DUPER EXCITED about it) I want to show you what I woke up to this morning.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PltMz1gQBJM[/youtube]
CRRAAAZZZYYY! I’ve seen the world glow before. A bright moonlit night with snow all around makes for a stunning BRIGHT night. But glowing red, orange and sometimes blood orange? Today was a first. Definitely a wow!
Ok so I’ve come to realize that online communities and our identities within online communities are complicated topics!!! There’s no way we could really have a full blown conversation about it in only 200 words per pop. But hey – it’s the effort that counts right? :) Thanks to the commentors (scoMan, dave, ebonyJewel and MattyMatt) for commenting!!! It’s always great to hear others’ insight!!
And for those of you who I have no doubt WANTED to comment deep down in your heart (which is everyone else i.e MOM, TIM, ALEXIS, SCOTT and all of my other bloggy friends) thank you ALSO because life is more fun with family and bloggy friends!!! :) ) Oh and it’s not too late to throw in your 2 cents because I’ve decided to write my final paper in a different class on this topic. :)
Down to bizness.
ONLINE COMMUNITIES – You and Me are a CommuniTY – part #5 – wrap up.
(btw anyone notice that I did part NUMBER 5 or part NUMBER 4? LOL I did it just to be silly. I am fully aware, thank you, that it SHOULD be part 5 or just #5. hee hee)
I’ve decided that I am fascinated by this topic. 100%. Our world is becoming more and more digital every day. We move to online communities more and more every day. Our selves, our identities, and our culture are all being impacted by this change. And though I suppose our identities, cultures and selves always change, I think it’s important to recognize the significance of online avatars/identities and how this increase in control over image may affect our core definitions.
I took this opportunity to round up some (only 3 because most of them were dumb) quotes on self image.
1“The ”self-image” is the key to human personality and human behavior. Change the self image and you change the personality and the behavior.”
2“Our self image, strongly held, essentially determines what we become”
Maxwell Maltz quotes (US plastic surgeon, motivational author, and creator of the Psycho-Cybernetics, 1927-2003)
3“If you wake up at a different time, in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?” 
Chuck Palahniuk quotes (American freelance Journalist, Satirist and Novelist. b.1961)
I suppose one interesting thing about networks and identities is they change with time. As I meet and become connected with more people, my network grows. As my connections meet and become connected with more people, my network grows. As my identity is tried and tested with time, it evolves and takes stronger shape. I don’t believe we can STOP a network or an identity. We may take on new layers, new directions and new flavors, but the network around us and our identity (regardless of how many we choose to have) all overlap a bit with each other. We can’t go backward – only forward.
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You know I’ve always said Sydney was the closest thing to hell on earth, and the sky there today proved it.
I’ve found online communities fascinating as well, and it’s been interesting reading about them here this week.
And while we can’t go backward, can we go sideways? Into many variations of the same self, but none of which are connected, some of which are further seperated from the central identity than others?
Maybe not, but I like the idea of it.
I have enjoyed your essays immensely. I also really was blown away by your orange sky video. I found myself watching it over and over. You did a good job on your essays and on your video :)
i dont believe someone who is bulimic would have a passion for life since it will probably kill you… get healthy and then take some pics of yourself but please dont torture us by taking them for the next 30 days in the state you are in now…
agreed! Someone who is bulimic cannot have a passion for life. Thankfully, although I have alluded to a past of eating disorders and created a video demonstrating the craziness that comes along with an ED, I no longer have a propensity toward destructive eating behaviors.
My apologies if I have been unclear with regard to my progress and recovery. Thank you kindly for your concern!!! I may not have always had a strong passion for life – but I most definitely do now. :) A new day – a new life – a new attitude.
also – if I didn’t have at least a LITTLE passion for life I would never have sought help or recovery. :) I want to be happy and healthy. And I takes steps in that direction as often as I can! (even if I do have temporary setbacks.)
Thanks again for commenting! I hope you come back and visit. :)
I love how everyone in your video is just going around business as usual!