Forming community – online and offline

Coming of age in the 21 Century, my adolescent years were defined by experiences and interactions with the online communities I joined during my formative years. There’s been no denying the extreme power that the Internet and technology have had while I attended high school, college, and even graduate school today.

Forming Community I got my Facebook account in the summer of 2004, six months after the social-networking site launched and a few months before starting as an undergrad at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I did not know then that the community I formed on Facebook would be so influential on all aspects of my college career – academics, socializing and generally developing into an adult. Online communities were a chance to grow out of my shell, test the waters of my new university, and see how far I would go to make new friends and fit in.

The problem with relying on technology to form social identities comes when these online communities do not translate offline. For all the power that Facebook and other social media networks wield, without crossing over to personal, face-to-face relationships, they are rendered useless.

At the end of July, I had the opportunity to attend Twiistup 6, a technology, media and entertainment conference in Los Angeles. For three nights and four days, I attended a series of technology and social media related panels, discussions, and displays.

Seemingly everyone was highly aware of the power that technology and online communications holds for Generation Y, the not-so-defined group who have graduated college in the past five years and are now in their 20s. For us – yes, I’m among them – the Internet is the first place we turn for nearly everything: directions to the new coffee shop, finding out what an audience thinks of a new movie, catching up with old friends.

In the past, these tasks would have required picking up a book, reading a newspaper, or mailing a letter. But the Internet has revolutionized the speed and efficiency with which we complete our daily tasks. This has, in many ways, ridded us of the old way of communicating. But does it matter for my generation? It’s easier now. Not necessary simpler. But easier.

Sri Raman speaks about his views on the Internet from Kiran Sood on Vimeo.

Before attending the event, I was unclear on the goals of the young and innovative people I would meet. How much would these young people actually be concerned with forming real relationships? What percentage of their days would revolve around one-sided interactions with their computer? Is it possible to imagine these young adults pulling away from the computer screen for a few hours to read a book?

But I was surprised. And happily so. As many of them were successfully building online communities, they were maintaining healthy relationships offline. I met Edward Lu, a young entrepreneur whose Web site aims to create social and communal dining experiences. He told me he never forgets the real and concrete relationships in his life – with his family and friends. I was hoping to hear that , and that I hope never goes away.

Personally, and proudly, I draw a line between time spent online and off. Consider the weekend before I was in Los Angeles. After racking up some 40 hours at the office, I wanted to spend time outdoors, enjoying the sun and escaping the glare of the computer. And I did. Over the 36 hours after I left my newsroom on Friday at 4:30 p.m., I did not go on the Internet. For any reason. Nothing. I was busy with friends, running around Chicago. There was coffee outside, a train to dinner before a late movie, a visit to the new Skydeck at the former Sears Tower, a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo, another train ride for another dinner, and finally crashing at home.

This is the way young people should spend their free time – outside, making memories and enjoying the freedom as we mature into adulthood.

A Medill graduate student shares her opinion on the Internet from Kiran Sood on Vimeo.

Sure, I am guilty of allowing the Internet and mobile technology to suck up my time. At the same time, I have found a way to enjoy summer in Chicago – the real city season – while not neglecting my work responsibilities. Maybe I’m lucky. Maybe I’m organized. But I advise other young adults not to allow this great experience to be dictated by the Internet and online communities. Take a chance by attending a meeting for the society of chefs, and bring along your favorite recipe. Join a book club. Take salsa lessons at a summer outdoor festival. Watch a movie under the stars.

I was encouraged to hear that the most influential people in social media recognize that those of us filling up Facebook and Twitter pages are more than just numbers. These sites are a place to start conversations, but they are not where conversations should end. They are forums, in which you can exchange ideas and thoughts with people who are passionate about similar issues, but they should not inhibit you from taking up the same topics in person.

What I took away from L.A. is that successful people maintain a level of control over their involvement with online communities. When I seek recommendation letters for a job, I will request a meaningful, handwritten letter, not some fill-in-the blank form that can be found online. To this day, even with so much of my own communication happening online, one of the most exciting feelings is to get a letter or package in the mail from someone I love.

Online and communications technology is relevant and important. It’s necessary. It’s not going away. But we as young adults should control it — not be controlled by it. I am well aware that there will come a time – and possibly soon – in which family and other responsibilities will require my full attention and push the online chit-chat to the side. But until then, I am wedded to both sides of my life. And I will maintain a balance between face time with my Sony Vaio, and time spent making lifelong memories with friends and family.

Photo credit: (http://www.orderedmanagement.co.uk/services/community-interest-company.htm)