russ, well done, you seem to have followed my advice.

i kind of understand the point you were making. friendship should be nurtured and cherished in real life as well as over the internet.
i also get what you mean about some people are so socially enept that their internet friends are the only ones they really have.
like penny said they are the ones who are most at risk of being scarred by any friendships that go wrong.

while modern technology(?) lets us keep in touch so much easier, it also makes us forget some of the nicer ways of life before we had it, like letter writing.   i am so glad that i have discovered mudcat as it seems that this skill is still alive but has just changed format.

alot of people have forgotten how to think for themselves, you only have to take a look at the latest fashoin to see this. people are wearing things that don't suit them, just because it is seen to be trendy.
this following the trend starts at school. liking certain types of music, what you wear, who you hang out with. these are all types of herding.
school also teaches you to think a certain way and you are not allowed to question what you are being taught.
this system follows one into adulthood, if you let it. making alot of people just follow the crowd, they do not really have to think for themselves. it is very sad but true. the people who were shunned and picked on in school are the ones who are most at risk of being hurt by online relationships.
i myself have been hurt by the ending of an online friendship, and i had to remind myself that i didn't actually know this person in the first place. having said that i have made some wonderful friends both here and on facebook and i hope i will continue to do so.

take care all

jade x x x x x