BOL 915: Calling BS on EverQuest II Study

(also sent to buzz@cnet.com)

The statement "People don?t expand their social network with the internet, they just reinforce it" is total BS. Below is a list of real names (Last initial only...for privacy, of course) of people I met for the very first time on the internet, and have offline relationships with to this day.

Matt L. - If man-love is real, he would be my soul mate, even if he does live 1000 miles away.
Curcha M. (was at our wedding, and we try to see her whenever we can during our trips to see my wife's family)
Chris M. (was at our wedding)
Jenny C. (one of our best friends, and has the cutest baby ever)
Rebecca V. (was at our wedding and we try to see her every time we go thru Nashville)
Frankie O. (was IN our wedding)
Tony S. (was an alternate for our wedding)

And above all...

Amber H. MY WIFE!! Our 5-year anniversary is Feb. 28th. No, we did not get married in Second Life.

All these relationships, along with my wife's entire family, were gained because of participating in online communities (a.k.a. "social networks"), none of which were "dating services."

Without the existence of social networks, I would not be married, I would not have become a Christian (thanks goes to the wife), and my life would be completelydifferent than it is today. I would be alone, un-saved, and probably miserable.

How's that for a "Well actually?"