I always come back to the fact that the Internet is a network of people and the technology just provides the means to connect everyone up. Sometimes its easy to lose track of that point when the technology can be so enticing (I can’t resist a pretty button).

I’m also concerned that people see the web as somehow providing a buffer that allows them to be offensive or rude. I’ve come across a number of instances as a Christian where I’ve come under attack for what I believe but in a very aggressive and sometimes downright offensive manner on the web.

I’m big enough to get over this and I think this gives Christians a great opportunity to show what loving someone is all about. We need people who can answer vitriol with grace.

I will use TV shows to help manage my time online. I know that I have until the end of The Office or NCIS to get stuff done online. It keeps me from losing track.

Maybe I need to write a post about how to find the time to be online without putting stress on your communities?

Most of my online community is geographically distant from me, so we generally only see each other at conferences or when I’m traveling. That is good, but I wish I had a few more local friends on Twitter.

Thanks for commenting!

But personally I find that it comes mostly from time I used for entertainment. Even when I watch TV I do so with a laptop on my lap catching up with email. Statistics for TV watching show that I am not alone in watching less or watching with less attention.

I also find that my offline community has grown because of my online involvement. I do more meetups, I reconnect with more old friends.