Comments on: Taken out of context: The offline/online friends thing http://hummingbird604.com/2009/03/15/taken-out-of-context-the-offlineonline-friends-thing/ The personal blog of a Vancouver-based educator in environmental issues Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:20:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Pete Quily http://hummingbird604.com/2009/03/15/taken-out-of-context-the-offlineonline-friends-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-3757 Pete Quily Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:25:25 +0000 http://hummingbird604.com/?p=2663#comment-3757 I used the word "civilians" when i was in the army and they were civilians. It was an accurate term used in that context. I don't understand why you think because you blog and twitter you're in the army. Unless there's some top secret social media army you're part of that nobody knows about:) maybe you just need a new term online/offline etc <abbr><em>Pete Quily’s last blog post..<a href="http://adultaddstrengths.com/2009/03/01/%E2%80%9Cyour-attention-please-full-text/" rel="nofollow">Your Attention Please - Improving Access for ADHD Patients Full Text of BCMA ADHD Policy Paper</a></abbr></em> I used the word “civilians” when i was in the army and they were civilians. It was an accurate term used in that context.

I don’t understand why you think because you blog and twitter you’re in the army.

Unless there’s some top secret social media army you’re part of that nobody knows about:)

maybe you just need a new term online/offline etc

Pete Quily’s last blog post..Your Attention Please – Improving Access for ADHD Patients Full Text of BCMA ADHD Policy Paper

]]> By: Laura http://hummingbird604.com/2009/03/15/taken-out-of-context-the-offlineonline-friends-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-3756 Laura Tue, 17 Mar 2009 06:09:27 +0000 http://hummingbird604.com/?p=2663#comment-3756 This is something I've wondered about. You are the only person I know who uses the term "civilian" to describe offline friends. I do think the term has a negative connotation and I've heard you mention previously that you've been criticised more than once for using it, so I wonder why you persist in using the term since it does seem to be slightly offensive to some. I don't mean this as a criticism but just as a genuine question - it's just a word. Why not pick a different one? What's wrong with "non-bloggers" or "offline friends," or just describing your blog friends as "social media friends"? This is something I’ve wondered about. You are the only person I know who uses the term “civilian” to describe offline friends. I do think the term has a negative connotation and I’ve heard you mention previously that you’ve been criticised more than once for using it, so I wonder why you persist in using the term since it does seem to be slightly offensive to some. I don’t mean this as a criticism but just as a genuine question – it’s just a word. Why not pick a different one? What’s wrong with “non-bloggers” or “offline friends,” or just describing your blog friends as “social media friends”?

]]> By: raincoaster http://hummingbird604.com/2009/03/15/taken-out-of-context-the-offlineonline-friends-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-3750 raincoaster Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:16:20 +0000 http://hummingbird604.com/?p=2663#comment-3750 In my experience, people who are offline perceive more of a gap between civilians and bloggers than people who are online. They perceive the difference as significant, qualitative, meaningful, when you and I know that it isn't. Sure, there's a difference between Facebook friends and the pal who would meet you at the jailhouse and put up bail, but there are differences of degree among "meatspace" friendships as well. <abbr><em>raincoaster’s last blog post..<a href="http://raincoaster.com/2009/03/12/quiz-which-aphrodisiac-are-you/" rel="nofollow">quiz: which aphrodisiac are you?</a></abbr></em> In my experience, people who are offline perceive more of a gap between civilians and bloggers than people who are online. They perceive the difference as significant, qualitative, meaningful, when you and I know that it isn’t. Sure, there’s a difference between Facebook friends and the pal who would meet you at the jailhouse and put up bail, but there are differences of degree among “meatspace” friendships as well.

raincoaster’s last blog post..quiz: which aphrodisiac are you?

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