Webs.

of yours and mine.

So I have this group of online friends that I speak to rather frequently. Friends that I got to know through communities where people with mutual interests gather and share their views. Sometimes when you're lucky enough, these online friendships can translate to a meetup that grows into a real, physically tangible friendship. (I'm not saying that online friendships aren't real, they can be very close and meaningful, but for some, it can also lack the assurance and comfort that perhaps only a physical being can bring.) On the other hand, I'm sure I don't have to explain how these online friendships can also merely be a veil for something less pleasant. Personalities that you get to know and interact with online, may not always be a true reflection of that person's character.

Recently, there was a controversy of sorts that arose among said friends. Long story short: Years ago, when a group of online friends met, X did some things that made others uncomfortable, the incident was recently aired like dirty laundry, X's invitation to attend the meetup this year, was withdrawn. The grapevine exploded. X threatened to sue for slander/defamation, that X's reputation outside of the cyberworld was at stake.

This whole fiasco made me reflect on the vulnerability of the world-wide web and the fragility of our privacy that we often take for granted. As human beings, we sometimes tend to trust too easily too quickly, especially when emotions are concerned. Words can be powerful tools over which people form bonds. Strong bonds created from mere words that were shared, simply because these words held such importance to both parties. But these words and information exchanged across the web can become a liability when these friendships go south. Case in point, X. It's funny how a simple catchphrase like 'The video went viral' can encompass the entire essence of what the world-wide web is capable of.

And my point? In this day and age where so much faith is put in this 'Cloud' out in cyberspace, it makes me wonder if people have naively become too trusting of the technology around us. (which makes me sound strangely like a technophobe, but really, I'm not. I'm blogging!) As amazing and brilliant the advances technology have brought us, I still find it to be this black hole whose strength to create ripples (detrimental or otherwise) is often sorely underestimated. Let's just say the usefulness of its effects/changes/repercussions depend on which side of the fence you're standing on, at any particular time. 

On a lighter note, I had an awesome dinner at Monica's yesterday, with Lars, whom I had the pleasure of meeting (: And I learnt a new word, 

Sällskapet, which means company, so trevliga sällskapet means pleasant company. 

And also, ante (not sure if its spelled correctly), but apparently means 'shit happens.' Haha.