Hmmm. Chat groups have changed a lot in the last 10 years. It used to be when you entered a topic related chat group- the topic is the thing that was discussed. And you could make new, real friends who did not ask for a method of payment.
Last night I took a little ride down the internet highway through the chat lanes and this was my experience... I went to a 40's age group with 40 or so people in the group. Three were guys and the rest were 20ish-year-old women nagging everybody to come look at their web cams. "20 year-old woman looking for 40 year-old guys...." Even the only self proclaimed 40 year old women in the group was promoting her business. This is disturbing to me. It felt like I was in a ghetto. Most of the group were robots.
On to the local chat group. It would be nice to meet a few folks in town. After all, I haven't been back in Austin for that long. More of the same. And NONE of the folks in the group were FROM the area. The median age was 20. The median user name was provocative. More neon lights in another red light district. There is nothing to say. There is no conversation starter that is appropriate and so much commerce going on there is no point to start one. Exit to the faith chats.
Oh, this was really gruelling. The type of faith displayed in the groups I visited is the kind that fuels wars and violence. That is sad to me. The hallmark of true faith is it's expression in love. Not a bunch of bickering, self important know-it-alls talking over one another. There were a lot of colorful words floating around in these groups. Oddly, it seems that atheists love to hang out in Christian chat groups for some reason. If I were an atheist I think I would spend more time watching TV. I mentioned I worship at a Messianic congregation. Big mistake. Somebody who doesn't even know me jumped in and called me a "fake Jew" and started a whole tirade. Even if I were a "fake Jew", that is just rude. (For the record I am Italian... there is some German Jew on my mom's side.) I still like where I fellowship and there is no reason to throw stones. I did make the acquantance of a pastor in India. We had a nice chat and it was the only meaningful discussion for the time spent in the chat lane. For my Christian/Messianic brothers and sisters in those groups - I wish you peace and love.
Forget about finding anybody to chat with about business or professional topics. Prime target for the cam-girls. I wanted to discuss Project Management with some folks. Right now, I am working on my certification through PM Mentors in Austin (http://www.pmmentors.com) If anyone knows of any live chats where I can do this... let me know.
So, on the internet... making new friends is all about commerce and useful discussions are a thing of the past. Bummer. I would like to think people are cooler than that. I don't want any pay-as-you-go friends. Call me old-fashioned. Any ideas about where I can meet new friends on the net without being bludgeoned by girls with cameras or that require a credit card? I'm all ears.
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