Comparing between a virtual community and a real community is quit interesting. Technology and Internet both have become intensively endured in our daily lives that we have to refer to them as a community in themselves. When taking a look at this virtual community you will clearly spot the difference between it and the real community. For instance both time, space and the means of communication have major differences between the virtual and the real communities.
For instance we can start with time. Time in a virtual community could be described as timeless. In other words there are no limits to time. You can chat, watch, listen and comment 24/7. It doesn’t really matter whether it is the working hours in New York City or their day off. You have no limits. This brings us to our next point, space, which is also unlimited when we are talking about a virtual community.
Real community on the other hand is nothing like the virtual community. Time is simultaneous. Its real-time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 30 days a month. You can’t manipulate the time in a real world. You are limited to working hours unlike the virtual world. Space is also limited in a real community you can’t stop and have a chat with your best friend in New York City when you are here in Dubai. You can’t order your Hong Kong necklace by travelling across half the real world while in a virtual world all u need is an email to send.
I really liked your ideas, but as I said I am not a virtual person. But I strongle support the point that space is unlimited, very valid point. But for the time, from my point of view time is unlimited also in reality, because you can spend a good time with friends without even being aware of time. Plus adding to my speech in your practical world you will need real time more thann virtual.
ReplyDeleteHanan