Hey - I've sent friend requests to all of you. When you make virtual friends - doing so around a common interest is one of the best ways to do it (common enemy too - but that's another conversation lol).


I've learned that having a picture of the person in mind with respect to the posts I read makes a big difference - as well as reading about the details of their personal lives and views that they care to make public.

There have been lots of criticisms of the "Internet" and "excessive screen time" hurting and discouraging live human interaction - and obviously there is no replacement (kind of like live music) - but the interactions that take place on this forum - and also Facebook at times, depending - truly fill a human need for social interaction and meaningful relationships in a way that I think still under-apprieciated and under-utlized. Surprisingly deep and meaningful relationships can happen virtually when the medium is used the right way for this type of thing.

I remember a similar post a year or 2 ago regarding Facebook was met by much resistance - some members commenting that don't use it, don't like it, and don't want any part of it....to each his own of course - but I'll bet those people never really tried it and only read about how "people post what they are doing at every second and who really cares"...well, that does happen too - and I don't stay friends with those types - or at least I block them. Eventually social media conventions and comments reduce that kind of behavior.

Thanks Peter for bringing all these great people together on an amazing website and an amazing product - not only have you made my music life more interesting, you've indirectly (or directly, that is) created many meaningful virtual relationships of friendship - some have even traveled to meet in person. Who would have imagined....

I think Linked IN and Twitter also amazing sites to meet people with common interests - as well as Meetup.com - which combines virtual discover with real-live meetings - again, no replacement for live interactions.

What other websites do you participate in that have helped you discover new virtual friends and meaningful relationships with them ?

Last edited by Joe V; 01/18/16 01:44 AM.