The Fabric of Life

Relationships - social bonds - created in cyberspace are the fabric of life and rooted in primal human behavior. They are not newly invented in cyberspace. They extend to and are extended from real world experiences.

Merlyna wrote this on September 3rd following the death of popular Indonesian blogger, Teh Inong.

Teh was a young mother and her premature death is, as always with one so young, especially sad. That we have insights into each other's lives with a sense of immediacy without ever hearing the voices which articulate the thoughts we read is one of the joys of entering the blogosphere as a participant.

Yet, that we feel that we can get to know each other is but a smokescreen. It's all vicarious, secondhand. Jakartass is the pseudonym I have deliberately adopted to give me a voice and the freedom to express those things that I feel need to be said. That is, the things I feel need to be said but not necessarily by the 'me' that I perceive myself to be.

I hope I have stirred some thoughts and, in a small way, helped to change the society we live in. This may be because some have been mentally nudged into the awareness of issues which may otherwise have remained hidden from their view. That's all to the good. Not that what I have to say is the 'truth'; it's out there somewhere but I'm still looking.

Some truths I do know. The first is that strangers are worthy of respect, until, that is, until they prove themselves unworthy of that mutual respect. Now, I don't know what religious beliefs are expressed by those in the blogosphere happily defaming a small group of strangers here who have formed happy relationships with local partners. But maybe, just maybe, Bloggers for Christ have some words of wisdom to impart.

Propriety, decorum and decency are not elements considered on blogs. People simply blurt things out, without considering the contents or consequences.

Ask yourself: Why would you have the need to share personal things with people you don't even know, i.e. the world at large? Many of the things shared should not even be read by close friends, let alone strangers! Be aware and avoid the thinking that "everything is up for discussion" - it isn't.

Stop and consider. The biggest mark you will ever make is to build God's character and be born into the God Family. Blogging will not help you achieve this.

 

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¶ 9:00 pm