The Defect of Virtual Networks
I dare any of you to come up with a better network application than a table.
We eat at it, we work at it, have meetings at it; sometimes we even have sex on it! It’s proven quality as a catalyst for social interaction stands as a beacon for any virtual network.
Perhaps this is because we humans are flock creatures. And even though in recent times our societies have become more individualistic and impersonal, we are still seeking that interaction as people, groups, networks etc etc.
But these virtual structures have a defect. And that’s the simple fact that this virtual interaction is consumed physically alone.
For instance, I am speaking to my collegue on the phone, but physically i’m walking alone through some Berlin street. Or I might be having a virtual conversation with friends in Japan and Brasil, but in reality I’m sitting alone in some Berlin cafe that has free WiFi..
Of course it’s great to be able to communicate with these people in all these places, yet I’m still missing their warmth and I can’t help wishing that they could be there with me and share a drink together like the good friends we are.
So by all means, keep setting up your virtual networks and structures and looking for new ways to communicate and interact.
But until you can come up with something as effective as the good old table, it will always be second best.
