Hi everyone. I have a paper to do soon for an ethics and technology class. I want to write about how technology has enabled us to build communities where otherwise no community would exist (many philosophers have argued that communities such as this one undermine and threaten democracy. ) I'll be doing my paper as a participant observation. Meaning, my research will be firsthand, and I will use my personal experiences here on the forum rather than looking for someone else's published information.

That being said, I have to inform you all that I may be using examples from Chit Chat. No personally identifying information will be given in the paper. Just examples such as people coming together in the 2004 thread, and other people getting support here.

So if you'd like to help me out, please take a few minutes to answer this survey so I can get an idea about how you guys feel about internet community.

Thanks!

1) How do you define "community?"

2) Is Chit Chat a community, even though there is no shared geographic location?

3) Do you feel comfortable posting here? Do you feel like you are judged here any less or more than in real life?

4) Do you ever come here for support in issues that you may not speak about as freely in real life?

5) Do you feel that the anonymity of the internet grants you more freedom of expressing yourself here?

6) Do you feel an actual bond or closeness with the other posters here? Why or why not?

7) Do you feel that issues in Chit Chat affect you as deeply as some real life issues? Are you fully a part of this community?

8) Do you have anything else to add about community here in Chit Chat? Or any other forums you are a member of?


Thanks so much to anyone who participates. I really appreciate it

1) How do you define "community?"

AS community is a group of people who share a "place" or small piece of the world.

2) Is Chit Chat a community, even though there is no shared geographic location?

Yes, it is a cohesive, supportive and sometimes volatile community which shares events, relationships, traditions and history. The globe shrinks in Chit Chat to the size of a living room or back yard.

3) Do you feel comfortable posting here? Do you feel like you are judged here any less or more than in real life?

Very comfortable and although there are some who have judged, it is far less so than in real life.

4) Do you ever come here for support in issues that you may not speak about as freely in real life?

All the time. I frequently use Chit Chat to express what I am not comfortable expressing elsewhere, or use it to test the waters to see if my feelings are justified.

5) Do you feel that the anonymity of the internet grants you more freedom of expressing yourself here?

No, I do not feel anonymous, even in Chit Chat. The freedom comes more from the knowledge that I can turn it off if I become uncomfortable.

6) Do you feel an actual bond or closeness with the other posters here? Why or why not?

I feel very close to many other posters because we have discovered that we share many similar interests. Also the support and non judgemental input has been priceless.

7) Do you feel that issues in Chit Chat affect you as deeply as some real life issues? Are you fully a part of this community?

Frequently, the events of Chit Chat do affect me deeply. A friend in crisis or in celebration is just as important whether we have communicated only through a forum or over weekly lunch.

8) Do you have anything else to add about community here in Chit Chat? Or any other forums you are a member of?

I thank whatever powers that be daily for the members of chit chat and the joy they have brought into my days.

Thanks so much, both of you. Your answers are very thoughtful, and will help me alot as I try to piece together this huge topic.

1) How do you define "community?"

Group of people, either thrown together because of circumstances or drawn to each other through a common interest/goal.

2) Is Chit Chat a community, even though there is no shared geographic location?

Absolutely

3) Do you feel comfortable posting here? Do you feel like you are judged here any less or more than in real life?

I have my moments!

4) Do you ever come here for support in issues that you may not speak about as freely in real life?

I have my moments!

5) Do you feel that the anonymity of the internet grants you more freedom of expressing yourself here?

No

6) Do you feel an actual bond or closeness with the other posters here? Why or why not?

YES! I have made real, lasting and in some instances, life-changing relationships

7) Do you feel that issues in Chit Chat affect you as deeply as some real life issues? Are you fully a part of this community?

Not anymore...

8) Do you have anything else to add about community here in Chit Chat? Or any other forums you are a member of?

Its amazing! The relationship you can build up with someone even though they are on the other side of the world, it astounds me sometimes!

1) How do you define "community?"
A community is a group of people that have a shared interest or a shared geographic location.

2) Is Chit Chat a community, even though there is no shared geographic location?
Yes.

3) Do you feel comfortable posting here? Do you feel like you are judged here any less or more than in real life?
Yes, I do feel comfortable posting here. I feel that I am probably judged less here in chit chat than I am in real life because there's nothing to look at to get a first impression from. (I feel that it's easier to take me seriously when I'm waxing philosophical if you can't see that I'm sitting here in my PJs )

4) Do you ever come here for support in issues that you may not speak about as freely in real life?
Yes.

5) Do you feel that the anonymity of the internet grants you more freedom of expressing yourself here?
Not really. I tend to say what I honestly think.

6) Do you feel an actual bond or closeness with the other posters here? Why or why not?
Yes, when I find that I have something in common with another forum member then I do feel a bond.

7) Do you feel that issues in Chit Chat affect you as deeply as some real life issues? Are you fully a part of this community?
Sometimes things going on in Chit Chat can affect me as much as some real life issues.

I don't feel that I am fully a part of this community as I do not participate as much as I used to.

8) Do you have anything else to add about community here in Chit Chat? Or any other forums you are a member of?
I think the internet has done some wonderful things for people all over the world by bringing them together. Communities like the one here provide information, support, humor, and love and are a wonderful asset to the world.