Luminous little article written for another contest - unabridged version here!

Here is an online article ready-made for consumption - the way we all like them to be, evidently! It was penned for a definite market and with a definite readership in mind - you will quickly understand that upon discovering what the subject is.



Cyber socializing: even better than the real thing
by Luciano A. Pimentel

In this day and age, one does not have to put up with the routines and hassles of going out, dressing up or even putting a brave face on anymore. One can stay in and, from the coziness of one's own home, one can mingle with one and all! Chat rooms, instant messaging, webcams, message boards... Even the old stand-by, the e-mail (with sufficient attachments, surely - whether it is doctored imagery or not is entirely up to you!) - all of these means are safer and may be even far more pleasant ways to socialize! Safer too, for few hassles are involved - although it is debatable if indeed such dalliances are truly more casual than the old-fashioned ones... It all depends on the individual really...!

Fact is, interaction on the web can be taken as seriously as live and in the flesh interaction. And this can be seen all across the palette of cyber-offerings... as that of human emotions too! Message boards routinely see veritable hatred develop and rise sharply between opposing posters championing diametrically conflicted viewpoints on any given topic... Likewise, chat rooms are often the unceremonious virtual grounds of those first few sparks between posters who recognize in each other a kindred spirit. But it does not make the emotions involved any less real necessarily speaking... Nor does it make any sudden break-up any more "casual" per say either! Disappointment is disappointment! It all boils down to the degree to which the participants have immersed themselves into these "unusual" proceedings... These are less and less "unusual" though, for the bar scene is now splitting -pretty evenly it would appear too- the dating scene with cyber-encounters. One leads to the other really… A fine collaboration of sorts...!

On the other hand, for the true conversationalist, these proceedings can be even better to dig out the truth faster... Think about it - in an instant messaging situation, even with a webcam on, the fluff factor is minimalized - in favor of substance. One is forced to actually listen (or read) if the person has anything worthwhile to say. Once that is confirmed -for it isn't always- the expert conversationalist can take control of the chat situation and, by asking the right questions at the right time, get to know the other person better in fifteen minutes than he would have in several dates maybe! One cannot peer into another's soul when preoccupied with the all-important (not) task of winning a lengthy tongue duel... Not much is learned then, aside from the value of the kisser maybe...! Conversation is the key in the courtship stage – and it is no coincidence that I.M. providers call these things “conversations” and nothing less!

Safety is paramount in this day and age. And nowhere else will you find such a combination of utmost intimacy with complete safety - from everything! There are many possible scenarios of "things that could go wrong" during dates... Conversing online, even with perfect strangers -and the old adage is true; we're all strangers, until we say "hello" and get to know each other- lowers the risks practically to nil. Just run a virus and spyware check on your computer afterwards - just in case!

The important thing is to get to know who you are dealing with, before ever agreeing to meet with that person. And, once you do, let it be in a group setting or in a public space, of course. This will be so much better than a mere blind date, simply because of the prior contact. If more than one "chat" was part of the preparatory groundwork, it will feel akin to getting together with an old accomplice already. And if nothing comes from it, you have made a friend, an acquaintance, a possible networking contact as well. Nothing is lost, as long as we have two persons on the same wavelength, open and trustworthy. If both reached out across these wires known as the internet for a bit of human contact, surely they were honest and well-intentioned in their endeavor. One can tell, in the course of several chats, if they are not - that is proven.

Happy chatting, all!