Flickering Pixels: Is Online Community Real?

I'm in the process of reading the new book by Shane Hipps called "Flickering Pixels: How Technology Shapes Your Faith. It is a great read and very challenging. I've often said that I enjoy reading articles and books that stretch my thinking and broaden my horizons a little. This book does. Shane is a former advertising executive. It was his job to, as he puts it, "hijack our imagination, brand our brain with his logo, and feed us opinions that we thought were our own". Shane presents an interesting case that you can't really separate the medium from it's message. If that's true, it has significant ramifications for today's church.

One part of the book that interested me was Shane's take on social media and the internet. Shane writes, "I find it troubling that so many communities of faith are in hot pursuit of these new technologies. The internet is seen as the Holy Grail of "building community". However, churches will find the unintended consequences of this medium coming back to bite them..."

Shane continues:

“The internet is a lot of things, but it is emphatically NOT a neutral aid.  Digital social networking inoculates people in real social networks—networks like a church or a meal at someone’s home.  Being together becomes nice but nonessential.

Our addiction to virtual community is understandable.  The convenience factor is just too high.  We love the efficiency of our interactions; they allow us to be in touch more often.  However, there is a big difference between being “in touch” and truly connecting with others...”

I agree and disagree.  Obviously, twittering back and forth with someone is not the same as meeting with them over coffee.  And blogging a post or leaving a comment is not the same as having a discussion.

But those of us who have seen significant in-person relationships result out of first meeting on-line would seem to push back a little.  I have met well over a hundred people in-person that I first connected with on-line.  Some are mere acquaintances; some have turned into good friendships.

To those thousands who have met their spouse on-line, I would imagine that they would also say that real, meaningful relationships are possible over the internet.

That said, there is a tendency to use social networking as a crutch.  It is easier and quicker than the face-to-face conversation.  However, I find that most of my on-line connections are with people who share my interests and passions, but are not in my local community.  So, in that regard, it does not either encourage or discourage personal, face-to-face interaction.

I do use social networking, to a much lesser extent, in my local relationships… with friends and people at church mostly.  I can say that for me personally, social networking (blogging, twitter, and facebook in my situation) has not at all cut down on any face-to-face time I would have with these people.  Rather, it has enhanced the relationship by sharing short things through the week; and has many times strengthened the relationship because we’re able to share day-to-day details of our lives with each other.

Regardless of what you feel about social networking… pick up a copy of Shane’s new book here.  I think you’ll find it challenging and enjoyable.

Todd Rhoades
Leadership Network

Comments

[Drew Goodmanson]

I think as believers this is asking the wrong question. The question of whether online community is ‘real’ is one that the entire culture is going to ask. It is in the realm of sociology, philosophy, etc. I believe people do have ‘community’ online. I can meet, get-to-know and develop real relationships with people online. The questions we as Christians should be asking is:

What are we called to be as a Biblical community? And can this be done with technology?

http://www.goodmanson.com/2009-07/30/is-online-community-real-community-questions-about-the-virtual-church/