Internet – The Most Inclusive Community on the Planet
Thursday, April 5th, 2007We are all wired for relationships.
O.S. Hawkins, in his book entitled Tearing Down Walls and Building Bridges, says: “God wired us for relationships, and we can’t exist without them. Small babies die without a loving touch. Children are emotionally scarred for life in the absence of a loving parental relationship. It is said that bachelors, on the whole, don’t live as long as married men, and even married men who kiss their wives before leaving the house have fewer accidents than those who don’t.”
Deep within the heart of every person is the strong, but often conflicting desire to “connect” with others. All of us want to be secure in our own individuality; and at the same time, reach out and connect in meaningful relationships with others. But what if we have a hard time “connecting” with certain people?
Research has shown that social proximity and communications do not constitute genuine connection, or authentic community development. People want more than casual conversation and personal contact. They want to build genuine mutuality in relationships. We all prefer to hang-out with people that really care about us and truly listen to what we have to stay. We want relationships with people whom we share common interests and life experiences.
Community is where we “connect” and build relationships – the most central factor in our existence as human being. Our entire life is spent in an organic network of relationships; cut off from them, and we die.
Perhaps this is the reason why millions of people now choose to “connect” with others on the internet. In his book, The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic, Howard Rheingold suggests, “Perhaps cyberspace is one of the informal public places where people can rebuild the aspects of community that were lost when the malt shop became a mall.”
The internet provides people with new ways to “connect” and build relationships. Perhaps the main reason why millions of people gravitate toward the internet has to do with the increasing popularity of online social networking. The internet provides the most inclusive form of community on the planet. The benefits of an inclusive community environment are many and far reaching.
An inclusive environment is welcoming and accepting. People feel safe and empowered. They experience freedom to be themselves – unrestricted by labels and peer pressure. People are free to voice their opinion and engage in open, honest conversation. An inclusive environment is rich in culture and diversity; an inviting gathering place to meet new people and share life experiences.
While some critics question the validity of online community development, millions of people just do it. Many have learned to integrate their online world with everyday living.
Regardless of circumstances, people will find a way to “connect.” The internet provides entrance into an inclusive environment that beckons many to follow. As to how this shakes-out in everyday relational development, only time and technology will tell.
