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Cultural Differences - Being more social while online in Colombia

I'd be lying if I said that I don't appreciate being able to jump online from the privacy of my home at any hour I like... but all too often I find myself parked at the computer surfing the web when I should probably be out of the house doing some better. It's easier to be antisocial when I can have the illusion of community with far off people, most of whom I likely will not ever meet.

I contrast my own behaviour to that of most Colombians.. internet isn't as widely available at home (cost?) so people seem flock to cafes.. Walk past almost any cafe and you'll see plenty of small groups online, one person using the terminal and a friend or two looking over their shoulders, or maybe using the terminals adjacent to them. Talking amongst themselves, about whatever is going on online, and in RL.... It's very social. I'm sure that most there would jump at the chance to have internet at home, the cafe experience is something uniquely social and online that I value about Colombia.

It's very different to the isolation that surrounds many of us in other parts of the world as we log on from private homes.

By adrimm on Mar 28, 2007, 18:33 in Friendly Talkzone.

arthur brode says on Mar 28, 2007, 18:41:

well.... it really doesnt matter what part of the world you are living in if you are a dysfunctional freak.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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jay1234 says on Mar 28, 2007, 18:46:

I don't know if it's much different culturally or due to the fact of more Colombians being in internet cafes (i.e., if Americans were in cafe's as often, would it be much different?).
I do know that South Koreans are well known for online gaming socially. They do it both at home and at large cafe's. Their best video game players are celebrities and are treated like rock stars.

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mecca says on Mar 28, 2007, 19:13:

And that AB deserves a... yeeeeehhhh boyyyyyyyy

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 28, 2007, 20:14:

I'd love some isolation.
I'd love some isolation.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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adrimm says on Mar 28, 2007, 21:51:

Arthur Brode So you don't think that internet can facililtate social isolation? We can shop online, read online, work online, chat online, date online...

I'd say technology can be a huge facilitator for isolation-behaviour.

If it isn't what you meant I'd be interested to hear an expansion on your point - preferably in more detail than a one-line smartass comment.

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 28, 2007, 21:56:

My house is a goddam zoo filled with teenagers. I fantasize about living in the garage out back with wifi and a laptop.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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adrimm says on Mar 28, 2007, 21:59:

UTC Touche.

Not all live in quiet environs. But I'd wager that in some places people do get out less than past generations simply becuase there is more to do from home.

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goin_south says on Mar 28, 2007, 22:01:

UC.... a goddamn ZOO... I think you should start charging admission, then

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Mar 28, 2007, 22:04:

Maybe you should be the first one to volunteer for a TV documentary about "A Gringo Y Una Colombiana Living in America", with Children.

Somehow,.. You gotta get paid for ALL THAT SUFFERIN' ;)

Where do we go from here?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 28, 2007, 22:05:

I've been chatting up people with a group of female friends in Cali, adri. We were visiting a friend
and logged in on something called cybercupido (I think) This friend had been visiting that site before and thought it was a lot of fun. Gosh, it was just like being with a bunch a teenagers! We had a few glasses of wine, giggled..."this gringo is olllllllllllldddddddddddd....desi dear, what is he saying? Oh hehehehehehe...is he still there? No it's sombody else....hahahahaha...tell him I'm 22...ok dear but you are 35 do you want to lie? Yeahhhhh....you're not going to deny your kids!....hahahahaha"
(Just a sample of the conversation)

Cheers,
Desi
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe
they are free." —Johann Wolfgang van Goethe

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 28, 2007, 22:07:

Cripes I don't even get to look at porn by myself. Usually have an audience for that too. Good thing I like kids. Frequently there's a bunch of chicks that Morph would like too. More young T&A than I want to see in a lifetime.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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goin_south says on Mar 28, 2007, 22:07:

Hey Adrimm... I have wondered... if an internet cafe would go over as a success in the USA, but... I can't see that it would. Everyone here is spoiled, to having their own at home.

But, if I were independently wealthy, I'd be willing to open one up, just to see what would happen. Might depend on where it's at. Reality is it probably would only perhaps be a success in the more poor parts of a big inner city. But, I could be wrong :)

Where do we go from here?

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arthur brode says on Mar 28, 2007, 22:48:

rest your nerves,adrimm

http://www.calirentals.net/

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englishsettler says on Mar 29, 2007, 02:41:

hey, did Arthur ever tell you he does real estate ? LOL

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goin_south says on Mar 29, 2007, 03:05:

he told me he does Calenas 2

Where do we go from here?

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arthur brode says on Mar 29, 2007, 05:53:

yep,i do both

http://www.calirentals.net/

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arthur brode says on Mar 29, 2007, 06:32:

El Infelizdesafortunado

http://www.calirentals.net/

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adrimm says on Mar 30, 2007, 19:48:

Exactly...

I've been chatting up people with a group of female friends in Cali, adri. We were visiting a friend and logged in on something called cybercupido (I think) This friend had been visiting that site before and thought it was a lot of fun. Gosh, it was just like being with a bunch a teenagers! We had a few glasses of wine, giggled..."this gringo is olllllllllllldddddddddddd....desi dear, what is he saying? Oh hehehehehehe...is he still there? No it's sombody else....hahahahaha...tell him I'm 22...ok dear but you are 35 do you want to lie? Yeahhhhh....you're not going to deny your kids!....hahahahaha" (Just a sample of the conversation)

That's exactly what I'm talking about..Colombians seem to go online in groups.. it seems like fun and is definitely more social. Maybe a little bit highschool, but much better than staring at a screen alone. El Feliz: I agree.... that's why I think it must be a cultural (and somewhat economic thing). I think it's a shame we didn't have a period of net-cafe in North America, it might have set a different tone to how people integrate the internet into their lives. Probably too late to change now.

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