Today’s episode is one of my favorites, covering the topic of community. Do you have more friends online than in real life? What are the benefits to each, and which community would you prefer if you had to choose just one?
In addition to our regular contributors, Blanket Magazine’s editor Bec Brown is joining us to weigh in on the topic. AND, we’d like to thank our episode sponsor, SFGirlByBay! For information on how YOU can sponsor an episode, email dialogue[AT]designformankind.com.
Let the dialogue begin!
IN THIS EPISODE: BEC BROWN / JEN GOTCH / KELLY LYNN JONES
Related Episode(s): Online Art Scene vs. Gallery “Real World”
Real life community connections are top on my list because I love the complexity of relationships. I really enjoy when online friends crossover into that category.
That being said, it is far easier to connect in online communities to people with the same interests as me…all I have to do is Google a subject. In real life, it’s not as easy to find subject-specific acquaintances.
nice words ladies!
Bec it’s so neeeat to see & hear you!
I’m still working on the cyberhugs, but they’re toadally awkward.
HEY everyone on the internet let’s hang out this weekend in REAL LIFE. okay cool cya!
I’d have to choose my real life friends over online friends. but I think I need a bit of both to keep me sane.
My favorite all time dialogue! Love these ladies and their charming & sweet personalities! I agree and am also a huge fan of the crossover! I love my friends I have met online(and am lucky enough to have some of them move to my town) :) and also love my real life friends. I feel so fortunate to have some of them crossover and be both! It is amazing to forge new friendships with like minded folks who you might have otherwise never met. Thanks for this Erin and thank you Jen, Kelly and Bec(the three of you are adorable! )
xo
Melis
What a great topic this week!
For me, I find that my online community/friends/social group is more aware, for lack of a better word, of my “talent” (i say that almost mockingly) in photography and are able to be more supportive. I don’t really share a lot of my photography in the real world so being able to get feedback from people online has been really important and encouraging to me.
Hee it is great to wear your P.j.’s while working :) Real life hugs you can’t beat but what a gift the internet is for creative people who would of ever thought.
excellent episode! well done, erin! :)
Haha, Bec hit on my first thought when the dialogue started… pajamas!
I loved this dialogue! I have a storefront business, so for me, crossover is essential. If I’m connecting to people online and spending a lot of time building those relationships, I need for them to be physically coming into the bakery and purchasing. Plus, it’s just neat to meet the individuals face to face.
i absolutely agree— you guys have raised such good points! community is wonderful, however you slice it, whether virtual or physical!
Okay…let’s just get this out of the way… how cute is Jen’s dress? And what was with the fab lighting in the room she was in? Looked kind of filtered and dreamy. Anyway, I digress.
So, yes, Erin, I’m steppin’ on up to the plate. Well, I’m not going to choose between either community. Hey, there’s nothing like hanging out with friends physically…love it! (Not quite how it’s meant to sound but I think you get it.) But since entering the virtual world I’ve “connected” with so many people who are doing or talking about or exploring many of the same things I am that my “physical world friends” are not or are sick of me talking about! So it’s a delightful combo to have both! Like a Black & Tan or a cupcake & frosting…tasty when apart…great when together.
My 2ยข. :)
so happy to sponsor such a great topic! i love how my virtual and real life communities have collided. i’ve met some of my new best friends through the blog, and wonderful people i’d never have had the opportunity to get to know (all over the world!) had it not been for the blog! including you, my dear erin! xo :)
First thanks to SFGirlByBay for sponsoring. Good episode, overall I prefer the real world communities. Digital ones are still dope though.
Great episode…I think it is great to find a balance with both communities. As others have said I think sometimes your real life friends don’t always see as much of your art as online people. When I started out as an artist pretty much you had your stuff in galleries or sitting under your bed, mine was always with the dust bunnies. Now I that I am getting stuff online I think it bridges that gap and makes it easier for us shy folks to get things into galleries. It is a nice mix, and websites like this are such a great reminder why we are all still working so hard and doing what we do. Thanks Erin.
My favorite episode thus far! Very inspirational – I can totally relate to being addicted to the internet, and it was nice to see it spun so positively :)
Erin, you look so lovely!!!
A wonderful episode…definitely made me think. :)
I loved this episode as I’ve only been tapping into the “virtual” communities for less than a year, but it’s already been so so rewarding. Great topic, Erin!
[...] @ sfgirlbybay.blogspotOn June – 11 – 2009 I love Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind’s Dialogue series, perhaps because as a blogger it touches on many day to day issues I confront working from home. [...]
this is a really interesting sort of extension of the dialogue about real vs. online art communities! i could really identify with bec’s first statement–i don’t get out much, this is my social life–which is fulfilling and a little disappointing! because it is wonderful to connect with so many people who are like me and expressing themselves, but that same time, nothing really beats human interaction (if we are a society heading toward only interacting with computers, we will end up being very sad, i think). it is so nice to get positive feedback online, but sometimes that is the only way i share things, so if you don’t read my blog, you might not see what is most important to me, even if you are my best friend–yikes!
it’s so interesting how technology/virtual interactions can be both connecting and fragmenting in our interactions. i definitely have to work to balance my internet interactions by getting out and seeing real people and things. i miss talking to real people about art and ideas. it’s a tough balance, but i am really thankful for both communities, and i have really enjoyed the crossover i have experienced, meeting bloggers and other artists in real life that i had previously only known online.
enough words from me!
Great topic for Dialogue & SFGirlByBay ad turned out LOVELY. I think the meshing of worlds has much to offer, and can relate to Bec with the whole moving thing. Nomads + MacBook = Traveling Gypsy Bliss! As a student of humanity, I learn so much from others, online and off, and relish the ability to connect virtually all the time.
I feel very lucky to have such a great online community and have met so many amazing and inspiring people, however being able to laugh, go to dinner, go to art openings and talk about what we just saw, have drinks with your friends in the “real world” is priceless…and that is just what I am going to do tonight.
i’ve been so busy that i somehow missed all of these wonderful dialogues! this idea of your is so fresh and new and i love it just like everyone else! thank you for giving me a jolt of inspiration and a bunch of new things to think about. i especially loved this one :)
i love your dialogues. if you ever need another brooklyn artist to add to the discussion I would love to be included.