Does forums like Yahoo Answers create more closeness to others or less? Knowledge vrs. Relationships Or Both?

Answer 1

A very interesting point to consider I think. So then, it does begin with a form of communication with a shotgun response; surely some response are reflective and reassuring to the question poser; this could be the basis of bonding. The desire to gain an insight into a facet of humanity can be a reason to entertain a relationship based upon the exchange of knowledge. The closeness though, this medium presents to me like the voice of legion; I've always liked people and this allows me the opportunity to understand others better through their answers and to better understand myself through my own thoughts to questions I'd never thought about without this format. This hasn't brought me closer to anyone specifically but I feel closer to all humanity, humbled by the numbers of people who reach out to others; without any gain for themselves; free exchange. Yes, this medium has instilled in me a greater respect and a feeling of closeness, we're all in this thing called life together.

Answer 2

any kind of social interaction brings us closer to other people, any kind of closeness to other people helps us to understand them.

i have been using the internet longer than the world wide web has existed. in that time i have made at least a dozen close friends whom i know only online.

i do not doubt the validity of these relationships, since i have subsequently met at least a dozen other people who i originally met online but later became close friends in realspace and realtime.

in fact of all my online friendships only one ever turned out to be a disaster when we met in the flesh. i consider this more than compensated for by the one person i met online who later went on to become one of the best and most important friends i ever made.

Answer 3

I feel part of a community when I'm on Answers, but some of the community are people I definitely would not want to get close to.

Answer 4

BOTH

Answer 5

both :)

Answer 6

neither