| Break out of your comfort zone: Write and relate | | | | Discussion and conversation via blog comments etc. |
| with those who are different to YOU. | | | | gives us an opportunity to gain insight, and thus |
| Traditionally, when we contemplate the Internet and | | | | wisdom, by obtaining a more holistic view of an issue. |
| all its inherent possibilities in terms of relating and | | | | Take a classical pianist who one day accidentally |
| communicating with other people, we think of it as a | | | | walks into a bar where the piano player is playing |
| tool to meet those who are similar to us. In an era | | | | jazz. Do they walk straight back outside because the |
| where people can often feel disconnected to one | | | | whole jazz philosophy contrasts so intensely to their |
| another because of overpopulation, geographical | | | | own learned classical musical theories? Or, do they |
| separation, or differences in perspectives on life, the | | | | wait until the end of the show to have a chat with |
| Internet has become a medium where we can meet | | | | the jazz player? This is how new genres of music |
| others of like mind, belief, experience and who have | | | | have formed. If we're open to new ideas, even if |
| similar interests and fields of expertise. | | | | they clash with our own current way of seeing |
| However, let us view the other side of the proverbial | | | | things, the results can be phenomenal. |
| coin of communicative opportunity: The Internet | | | | On the Internet you may have a blog or website |
| opens channels where we can meet and learn to | | | | dedicated to your love of digital photography. There |
| understand and empathise with those who have | | | | are lots of other people you can 'talk shop' with out |
| completely different outlooks to our own. Opening | | | | there, to get new ideas on how to make interesting |
| our eyes to try and feel what it's like to experience | | | | and artistic photos. But what about that lady whose |
| and perceive the world from a person's shoes that | | | | site is dedicated to the more archaic and traditional |
| we'd normally never spend time relating with is a | | | | SLR camera photographic techniques? If you strike |
| chance to expand our minds, as well as our | | | | up a conversation with her about why she chooses |
| compassion and comprehension of other human | | | | to stick with the old technology, you never know |
| beings. | | | | what insight it could give you for your own efforts. |
| For example, let's say you're travelling on public | | | | The experience of relating to people different from |
| transport in your home city, be it on the bus, train, | | | | ourselves may not be comfortable for you, especially |
| tram, boat, or even taxi. When are you most likely | | | | if you hold your belief close to your heart, and |
| to start up a conversation with a stranger? Usually, | | | | others' beliefs are in direct contrast to your own. |
| the answer will be when you see something in that | | | | Let's say you have a 'Pro choice' website that is |
| person that relates to your own world. If you're an | | | | dedicated to spreading the word about the right to |
| Information Technology student and you see | | | | have an abortion. Normally, in this situation we might |
| someone reading a Wired magazine, there's a definite | | | | steer clear of 'Pro life' websites and blogs whose |
| sign the person in question may have something of | | | | content is the complete anathema of our own. |
| interest to say. Why do we talk to strangers on | | | | However, if you can communicate, read and relate to |
| occasion? It's because we're social creatures, and | | | | these opposing idealists, a lot could come from the |
| we've learnt to understand that you never know | | | | experience. At the least, you'll have a much better |
| when your meeting with a new person could change | | | | idea of why they believe what they do, and know |
| your life, be it in a small or large fashion. | | | | like yourself, they're simply people who believe |
| When do we not think twice about talking to | | | | they're doing something for the good of humanity. |
| someone? That's easy; when the person looks like | | | | Anger could dissipate, empathy could be ignited and |
| someone we have nothing in common with, we | | | | friends could be made. |
| often feel speaking to them would be a waste of | | | | If you have a small business that sells a niche product |
| time and effort. Don't judge a book by its cover! | | | | like skateboards, you could focus all of your writing |
| How many interesting people, whether or not they | | | | and marketing efforts on attracting the people who |
| have something in common with us, do we miss out | | | | already buy your product. On the other hand, the real |
| on meeting everyday? How many people have you | | | | way to expand your income opportunities is to excite |
| come across whom after getting to know them, are | | | | people who currently have little interest in what you |
| totally different from your preconceived ideas of | | | | do. What kind of articles or promotions could you |
| what they'd be like? How many had different views | | | | write that might incite new types of customers to |
| than your own, but were very interesting | | | | buy? |
| nonetheless? | | | | It's so easy for us to find a comfortable place in the |
| The Internet gives us access to many different kinds | | | | world, whether it's in our living room, neighbourhood, |
| of people, via their websites, blogs, forums, chat | | | | or website/Internet community. The danger with |
| rooms etc. Why only search out those people that | | | | becoming too comfortable is that our minds become |
| already see life similarly, or who are interested in the | | | | stiff and brittle, our emotions numb and our spirits |
| same topics as you? If you believe in and write | | | | hungry for something more. When we write on the |
| about the virtues of democracy, does this mean you | | | | Internet, be it on a blog or your own company's |
| should discount the socialist's perspective on society? | | | | website, don't be afraid to communicate with those |
| Their views are just as valid as your own, and if you | | | | who you imagine are different to you. What other |
| do attempt to understand their perspectives, you | | | | people have to offer isn't written on their faces, and |
| never know what depth of knowledge you can | | | | often isn't even written on their site's pages; the act |
| achieve. When our minds expand, so do the depths | | | | of exploration into the often scary, mysterious |
| of our actions. | | | | unknown can show us what our community as a |
| Instead of judging others for having different beliefs, | | | | whole has to offer, as well as what we ourselves |
| why not undertake a rapport with the opposing side? | | | | have to give to others. |