Many people think of the Internet as a lonely place. A place where you surf websites and watch videos all alone. There's a common misconception that using the Net breeds detachment and results in lost friendships.
It couldn't be more wrong.
The Internet is an incredibly social place. There's so much human interaction it's utterly over-whelming. Your experience of the Internet is ultimately a function of what you want it to be.
If you choose to use the Net as a library - where you drop in, google something and leave, your experience will be very shallow.
If you visit sites and particpate in the conversation - especially ones with forums, you'll soon find yourself part of a global family.
Let's try an experiment. Go to Twitter and create an account (or log in to the one you made months ago and never use). Once you're logged in, go to http://twitter.com/jasonjordan and hit follow. Now go to the right hand side of the screen and click on the link showing who I follow. Go through that list and follow all of the ones who look interesting.
Now your Twitter stream will be filled with interesting, funny and timely commentary.
These days, I get most of my newsflashes via Twitter. I knew about the PM Leadership Spill as it happened - some 15 minutes before it hit any major news organisations. Same thing with major news events here in Perth.
A disproportionate amount of Twitterers are journalists, and they're very active. If you're a news junkie, it's the place to be!
Try it. It doesn't cost anything.
Most people get turned off Twitter because they join and they can't see anything happening. That's because they don't follow anyone interesting! On Twitter you have to be selective in whose updates you want to see. If you don't follow anyone - you won't see anything.
And finally, yes sometimes people do tweet about what they are having for lunch. But the quality of your Twitter stream is up to you. If you find people are wasting your time, unfollow them.
I follow about 400 people globally. It's a brilliant, hilarious ongoing conversation.
I'd love you to be part of it!
