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Connecting Humans:
stories & essays on the positive side of online
culture
This information
was last updated on April 1, 2001
Introduction
by Jayne Cravens, former Virtual Volunteering Project Manager
I have been online since
1994, and back then, the media seldom, if ever, wrote about the Internet
-- probably because there weren't yet lots of online horror stories
to report.
Since then, the Internet
has brought me in touch with many wonderful people and ideas, personally
and professionally. Based on my work as VV Project manager and my
personal experiences, I believe that online experiences often lead
to increased volunteerism and face-to-face interaction, and that there
are thousands -- millions -- of people out there using the Internet
to make a difference in the health and well-being of their families,
their communities, and the causes they love.
These many, many positive
cyber experiences stand in stark contrast to two widely-cited studies
that implied the Internet makes people depressed and isolated from
friends and family. I think these studies are quite flawed and downright
misleading, and I think the media hype around the studies' findings
is inaccurate and sensationalist (the Online Journalism Review
apparently agrees with me, per their article "Media
Reporting on Internet Studies Misses Fundamental Problems" ).
There also seems to be an
endless number of letters to Ann Landers and Dear Abby about how "The
Internet Broke up my Marriage!!", and many people interviewed on major
TV networks were quick to try to somehow connect the Littleton, Colorado
school shootings to Internet use.
I'm very tired of reading
how the Internet is making us all lonely and cranky. I was lonely
and cranky long before the Internet came along (grin). To counter
these negative stories, this section of the VV Project site offers
information and essays to illustrate how cyberspace is bringing us
together, not closing us off to each other.
Section Contents :
The Latest:
- Twang
in Cyberspace:
How one music-related online community
blurs the line between "real" and "virtual"
When does an online community become just "a community"? This profile
of Postcard 2 (P2) shows how hard it can be to fit a group into
one category or another. Also offers good tips for anyone looking
to establish or maintain an online community, or to use the Internet
to organize a face-to-face event with volunteers scattered geographically.
- Safeplace
in Cyberspace: How Austin, Texas netizens and a nonprofit make a
difference using the Internet
An essay by a communiations professional who volunteers her time
for a domestic violence and sexual assault prevention center. This
is more than a story of how the Internet helps people make a difference;
it also is a powerful testimonial to how to effectively
donate professional services, and how well a balance of
face-to-face and online volunteering can work.
- Supporting
Expectant Mothers Anywhere Via E-mail
A nonprofit organization matches online volunteers with pregnant
women coping with long term hospitalization or home bedrest, pregnancy
complications, leaving a job or "normal" life due to pregnancy complications,
etc. Testimonials from those served by this organization illustrate
to the power and importance of e-mail support.
- Fan-Based
Online Groups Use the Internet to Make a Difference
Many of these online groups aren't directed by any formal organization
to engage in philanthropy; the fans decided to engage in these activities
on their own. Includes examples of such groups, with comments from
members regarding their online philanthropic activities and what
makes them successful.
Related materials
:
- Building
an Internet Culture
"In thinking about culturally appropriate ways of using technologies
like the Internet, the best starting-point is with people -- coherent
communities of people and the ways they think together. " An excellent
essay by Phil Agree that discusses the importance of social networking
to job development and performation, how the Internet provides a
great opportunity for such networking, and how cyberspace needs
to be promoted as a place for social interaction and prevented from
becoming a corporate wasteland. Many real world examples of such
social networking that have assisted companies and individuals are
given, even ways in which developing countries can use the internet
to the advantage of itself and its people.
- First
Person: Benefits of Virtual Volunteering
for People With Disabilities
The Virtual Volunteering Project has received several testimonials
from people with disabilities serving as online volunteers for various
organizations, showing how virtual volunteering creates new opportunities
for people who might otherwise not get to participate in community
service.
- Pew Internet and American Life Project release report
showing the Internet is of social benefit to many users
and showing a surge of women onto the Internet
New York Times Article
This study released May 10, 2000 indicates the Internet may actually
strengthening users' family ties. Internet users in the study reported
far more offline social contact than non-users. Women in particular
said they found e-mail very useful in keeping in touch with friends
and family. "It's clear that Internet users have a more robust social
network than non-Internet users," said Lee Rainie, director of the
project. "There doesn't seem like there's any diminution of social
networks because people are spending a lot of time online." Nearly
half of Internet users reported that they had a social network,
but only 38 percent of non-users did. The more years respondents
had been going online, the more likely they were to report that
they had a social network.
- Examples
of Experiences Involving Online Volunteers and Youth With Disabilities
An index of real-life examples of how volunteers and youth with
disabilities are interacting with others via Cyberspace, illustrating
some of the limitless possibilities and benefits of virtual volunteering.
- Online
Culture
A brief how-to to help you learn the different styles of "personalities"
online, interpret people's written communications and assist volunteers
and managers alike in being clear and effective online. Includes
links to other Web sites with information about online culture and
online psychology, inculding academic researchers' information.
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10/21/03
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