The Reality of the Virtual Community

Our changing technology in this Information Age has made it possible for us to do nearly everything "virtually." With the help of our computers we have virtual banking, virtual shopping, virtual reality and virtual relationships. With the ever-increasing trend toward these virtual experiences, we must ask ourselves whether or not this can serve us in the sense of "community."

Some critics say that Internet technology has destroyed our notion of community. Yet the number of virtual communities seems to be increasing by mammoth proportions as people from every walk of life log on and spend hours a day on the Net, often times spending money to do so. No longer is it simply a virtual establishment of computer geeks who get together to talk over their latest technological find. Instead, one will find average people-men, women, laborers, professionals, mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, academes, the undereducated, etc.-joining the ranks of others from across the nation and around the world to join these virtually communities in cyberspace on the World Wide Web (WWW).

When looking at the benefits that changing technology has made on the world, one can reach a much different conclusion than that of the critics. The Internet can and does build and promote the notion of community. And it does so in ways that we might not even be aware.

First, we must define what community means, and then examine some of the ways that community is enhanced by virtual communication. The Random House Dictionary of the English Language defines the word "community" as

1. a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage...3. ...group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists. (Random House, 1987, p. 414)

By distilling this definition down to a basic element or two, we might define community as: People who interact with one another. The location where this takes place could be a geographic area, a golf course, a restaurant or bar, a church, or many other places. In the virtual community, members interact by using computers at a variety of on-line "locations"-chat rooms, message or bulletin boards, e-mail, etc.-to make contact with those around them. By doing so, lives are touched, relationships are built, and communities flourish.

Though the members of these virtual communities do not necessarily see one another face-to-face, it is also important to remember that communication is still required to interact with one another. West and Turner (2000) define communication as "a process in which individuals employ symbols to establish and interpret meaning in their environment." This means that communication, whether occurring face-to-face or with mediated communication, is dynamic and complex, using words as symbols for concepts and things, which may have shared meaning in a situation or context where this communication takes place (pp.4-6). In this regard, a definition of the virtual community is: People who interact with one another using computer-mediated communication (CMC).

Initially, there was concern that the use of computer technology would be detrimental to interpersonal relationships. However, as more and more people are becoming involved in on-line communities and using their computers to communicate with like-minded people, it is becoming easier to see these relationships evolving out of this newer medium. A number of studies have been conducted within groups of older adults where the support that social relationships bring to the older adults seems to be of the utmost importance during times of stress. Building informal friendships seems to enhance the older adults' lives. These studies conclude that supportive relationships can be forged and developed through on-line interaction, despite not being able to see the nonverbal cues of face-to-face communication. Advantages can also be seen in that some may feel more comfortable discussing certain topics or having certain relationships because these cues are not available. Within the SeniorNet community, the participants related that they were attracted to the "opportunity to 'try out ideas' on people they interact with on the Internet...to safely talk about subjects that may be judged more harshly by closer ties..." (Wright, 1999).

By examining how the Internet can benefit children in the building of virtual community, we can turn to education projects between 4th and 5th grade students in Indonesia and Australia conducted by LeLong and Fearnley-Sander (1999). By joining with other teachers, the Internet was used to create possibilities for their students to communicate and work together collaboratively on cross-cultural projects (introduction, para. 1).

Through the use of electronic mail, the project linked students to others in the different country to learn together and negotiate understanding with one another, coming up with strategies to think, challenge and discuss topics such as democracy, or share history, or learn English (Teacher Education projects, para.4).

The children seemed to take pride in their projects and were motivated to write using e-mail. Lelong and Fearnley-Sander further tell us about these projects, "Children enjoy using computers. They are excited by the technology and by being able to write to a large audience in other parts of the world. They enjoy having their work read by others and then receiving replies from so many of their peers. The fact that the audience they may be sending messages to could number in the thousands is one that helps them concentrate and encourages writing of a very high standard" (The primary project, para. 2).

These Internet projects also taught the children how to use a variety of different methods to express themselves, such as narrative, drawing, sound, and photography. This education project helped the children learn how to use a digital camera, scan, use e-mail, and many other forms of technological production, as well as publish Web pages (para.3-4). Through the use of these technological advances, it taught these children collaboration, and encouraged good will and friendship.

Non-profit organizations and associations, which bring members together, are also jumping at the opportunity for networking in a virtual community. Through the use of discussion forums there is a place for members to exchange ideas on various topics and interests. These forums seem to have the greatest success when the association itself embraces technology and uses it to its advantage to engage its members in worthwhile topic discussions (Romano, 1998, p. 24).

Several studies have shown that electronic communities can be successful for business and professional organizations, and that there are a high number of users who are comfortable with using this type of communication to network and share their collective experience and knowledge, as they would do in face-to-face meetings. There are cases where the more professional nature of some of the forums seems to lend credibility to the site, which some of the associations' members prefer. These networking opportunities are also attracting corporate executives, who may even reach to 100 years of age (pp.24-25).

One such organization, the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), claims that its goal is to bring people together using the Web for its 1000 chambers of 5000 executives. The ACCE promotes member relationships and the forming of partnerships through the use of online activity. The main purpose of the website is to keep the members' interest in mind and serve their needs and wants. "Whatever we offer members is hopefully making their life better, and we're concerned about their lives. We have a...great(er) stake in our community members..." (pp. 26-27).

The World Wide Web has come to be a support to people who congregate to discuss any number or variety of problems. Roberta Furger tells us "informal communities are developing among people with common questions and problems-from health-related concerns, such as personal illness or a sick friend or family member, to questions about parenting, relationships, and employment problems. Many will start by reading message boards, finding their way into chat rooms, and now meet in person yearly (Furger, 1996, para. 1, 8). By using the Internet, these online "friendships" are formed and offer people connection, interaction, and opportunities to meet these new friends face-to-face.

Some say that we are fooling ourselves to think that a virtual community is "real." Watson (1997) tells us cultural critic Neil Postman argues that in order for a community to take shape that there must be a sense of common obligation to the others with whom we interact. A model for this type of community is the small town or village of centuries past. He points out when we live in community with others, there can be conflict with which we have to deal for the distinct purpose of fulfilling that obligation to our community. He also argues that online groups do not form because of any shared obligation, but because of common interests (pp. 122-123).

Although an idyllic picture of community might be a yearning for some, one cannot ignore the fact that technology has changed our world. If we were to go back to a 19th century-type "simple life" where Postman's idea of "real" community could be found, we would also have to go back to the same life which allowed for inequalities which cross the gender, racial, religious, and age boundaries. These were the times where many people were considered "second-class" citizens, if they had any rights at all. Interactive communication between community members was certainly not encouraged. Rather, there were many who did not have a "voice"-women, children, slaves, etc.

Internet communication allows us to have an opportunity to speak. It can be done without the fear of being judged for our appearances, or social standing. The Internet becomes an "equalizer," of sorts. It gives an opportunity to get to know others that we might not have otherwise gotten to know, finding out where the commonality is, rather than assuming there is none because one can see a difference in another person. Watson suggests, "CMC allows individuals to execute a greater degree of control over the usually non-controllable features of their appearance, ethnicity, and gender in presentations to others. This could potentially allow a community to form without the mistrust brought on by visual markers of difference such as skin color" (pp. 107-108).

Advances in communication technology have a long time been criticized. The telephone was predicted to have dire effects on social interaction. Yet, in fact, studies have shown that the telephone has helped to keep people connected socially. It seems to have reinforced, not replaced, the personal relationship (Putnam, 2000, pp. 166-169).

The Internet has been criticized as the reason for recent social disconnectedness and society's unwillingness to be engaged civically. It is important, however, to recognize that this trend started well before the Internet became a social phenomenon. There certainly may be problems associated with the explosion of this new communication tool, but to suggest that it caused the problem is unrealistic. The "nationwide decline in social connectedness and civic engagement had been under way for at least a quarter of a century" prior to the explosion of Internet influence on America in 1996 (p.170).

The Internet might very well be a solution to the decline of social and civic involvement. It is a tool, not simply for the dissemination of information, but for "bi-directional, uncensored mass communication." Research has shown that the discussions on-line tend to be "more frank and egalitarian." Cyberspace can be more democratic, offering the same anonymity that the secret ballot has to offer; it lends itself to debating alternatives (pp. 171-176). In as such, the Internet gives the opportunity to voice those alternatives willingly.

We live in a society where technology has given us an opportunity to change, both on a personal level, and as a society. We move more often; we are able to travel abroad with ease. We have a much more transient society than we did a century ago. We do not interact with the same people in the same manner, as did those in nineteenth-century society. Perhaps that particular technology has been one cause for the decline in social interaction.

However, communication technology has given us an opportunity to make great strides to better our society. Modern technology gives us an opportunity to see and hear and read what is going on in the world around us. It gives us a clearer picture of what society is, a look to both the past and into the future, and a way to make the changes we see necessary for our community. It gives us a way to have relationship to the people in the world around us. The Internet is simply another tool in order to help us achieve those goals.

Interacting with others from a place of racism or bigotry of any kind, however, is not something about which this society need be nostalgic or proud. Computer-mediated communication offers us a way of getting to know others without the visual aspects that alert us to preconceived judgments of others. It brings people, who would likely never have an opportunity to meet, together in the virtual community based on their common interests.

So many societal gaps can be bridged in the virtual community-gender, race, age, culture, and socio-economics-because when we "meet" on the Internet, we are not aware of the differences. We can focus on the similarities. The neurosurgeon in Seattle and a janitor in Houma, Louisiana can share their love of fly-fishing. The accountant from New York City may share her love of cooking with a mother of four from Manila, as they trade family recipes. The 40-year-old woman having dealt with the challenges of living with multiple sclerosis can be of support to the 24-year-old student from Sri Lanka who has recently been stricken with the disease.

The relationships we develop using computer-mediated communication are beginning to alter our idea of community. No long does distance have to be a barrier to the building and maintenance of friendships and family relationships. It can provide us with a stronger sense of intimacy, and allow for us to keep in touch with those who move in and out of the proximity of our "real" communities. Likewise, people from around the world can become "good friends" based upon common experiences, perceptions and interests, rather than common geographical areas. It may often lead to the future face-to-face meetings of people who have learned to care about the other based on those shared experiences, rather than outside appearances.

Communities, whether "real" or "virtual," are about relationship-building. Communication is the key to building good relationships. Computer-mediated communication is important in today's world as we continue to use technology to help mold our interpersonal and intercultural relationships, perhaps going beyond Postman's nostalgia, which allows us to stay locked into some of the ills of the past, as we try to recapture the naïve sense of isolated "community."

Anthony Giddens (2000) says, "A good relationship is a relationship of equals, where each party has equal rights and obligations. In such a relationship, each person has respect and wants the best for the other." The basis of making a relationship work is the dialogue and the trust, which is built through understanding one another's point of view. With this type of open dialogue we have equality in our rights and in our responsibility to one another (p. 80). The Internet offers us alternative ways to build relationship to others.

Within communities, human beings interact with one another and share common ideas, interests and goals. When one holds up the virtual community to that definition, it cannot be argued that the notion of community is not relevant. It is very "real," vibrant, dynamic and has an energy that continues to grow and flourish, as people from many walks of life use this technology "virtually" to understand, perhaps for the first time, what "community" truly means.

References

Furger, R. (1996). I'm okay, you're online [Electronic version]. PC World, 14, 310-312.

Giddens, A. (2000). Runaway world: How globalization is reshaping our lives. New York: Routledge.

Lelong, P., & Fearnley-Sander, M. (1999). E-mail communities-a story of collaboration between students in Australia and Indonesia [Electronic version]. The Social Studies, 90, 114-121.

Putnam, R. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. New York: Simon & Schuster.

The Random House Dictionary of the English Language. (1987). (S.B. Flexner, Ed.) (2nd ed., unabridged). New York: Random House.

Romano, G. (1998). Meet me in cyberspace. Association Management, 50, 24-32.

Watson, N. (1997). Why we argue about virtual community: A case study of the Phish.net fan community. In S. Jones (Ed.). Virtual culture, (pp. 102-132). London: Sage Publication.

West, R., & Turner, L. (2000). Introducing communication theory: Analysis and Application. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing.

Wright, K (1999). The communication of social support within an on-line community for older adults: A qualitative analysis of the SeniorNet community [Electronic version]. Communication Quarterly, 47, 33-43.