But in the video (below), Shane says that "virtual community ain't community." John La Grou takes issue with this, using a very compelling anecdote from his experience at TED 2009 (color me jealous!!!). Money quote:
I tend to agree with John on this one. I think Shane has overstated the case and thus undercut his argument (I should know, I make a living doing that! :-)). I have been amazed of late how powerful Twitter is as a medium of connection with other human beings. I have no experience with Second Life (and I don't know that Shane does, either), but it seems to me to have that same potential. Rob Brink's essay in Youthworker Journal last summer convinced me that online gaming even has this potential.Look.. I don't know anyone who would argue that virtual community is a substitute for physical community. Perhaps some of us need a book to remind them. In this sense, he is a welcome voice. But, contrary to Hipps' position, I think virtual community establishes an authentic shared identity, a sense of belonging, a shared history, and a sense of permanence. That virtual community cannot offer physical gathering simply restates the obvious.
I don't think this blog has (yet) fostered a community, but I think Scot has done just that at Jesus Creed. All this is dependent upon your definition of community, and Shane makes his clear in the video.
So, what say you? Is virtual community true "community"?
[UPDATE: Scot weighs in at Out of Ur.]
Video after the jump.
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Boele, I like your comments. You added a smile to my day.
One thing that Boele's comments sparked for me is that it is REAL people communicating in a virtual place. And, that communication is not necessarily by keyboard. SL (Second Life) supports voice and groups also use Skype to communicate. It is very similar to a personal telephone call.
SL has Bible study groups. One who's info I'm currently looking at meets every Saturday evening and the activities include: sharing the gospel, bible study, encouraging one another in the Lord, questions and answers, and prayer. Also, anyone is welcome. Isn't this what a Christian community is about?
Just some more food for thought. :-)
I experience real community online. I also experience real community offline. Personally, I have no desire to replace physical community, it's essential. However, my online community is a group that accomplishes each of the following:
authentic shared identity, a sense of belonging, a shared history, and a sense of permanence
Relationships both on and offline require time investment. Unless you've invested time and energy in online community, don't tell me it can't happen. I already know it can. :)
I am continually surprised at how many self identified post moderns insist on taking an either-or position on such things.
What is "true community" anyways? For some people, indeed virtual relationships would not be "community" for them. For other people, virtual relationships can indeed be "community" for them.
At the heart of "community", is communication and conversation, which build a relationship & friendship. I've been in geographical proximity with a number of people, and many of those people have stayed superficial in relating. And as such, I do not consider that "community" in the full sense of how I use that word. Where virtual relationships have been most meaningful for me is how they provide a good introductory connection and bridge to "real-life" relationships, and/or also keep me connected with people I know in "real life."
Since we are speaking, I suppose, of Christian relationships and therefor Christian communities, there is something I have not heard in the comments, sacrificial love. What sets physical and virtual communities apart is the ability to sacrifice for the other. As long as this is true, virtual communities will always be a pale shadow of authentic phyical Christian Communities.
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