… as face to face interaction.
That’s not to say I’m jumping on any anti-Twitter bandwagons. No, I’m not a big fan of using Twitter (or any other social networking media, for that matter) to randomly shout every bit of personal minutiae into the darkness (although, I must say, sometimes it is nice to catch up on the mundane parts of far-away friends’ lives). I think platforms like Twitter can be very useful for collaboration, and even building friendships. Eugene Cho hosted a thoughtful dialogue about Twitter, faith and church life a little while back.
As much as I believe Twitter can be a good thing (although it’s killing my ability to write longer thoughts!), I don’t think it can ever replace face to face interaction.
Last Saturday, our family went to the San Diego Childrens Book Festival (which was lots of fun, by the way!). Our daughter was really excited to meet the illustrator from the Fancy Nancy series, Robin Preiss Glasser, who was signing autographs at the Book Festival. Our daughter is a little shy, so she practiced what she would say to Robin while waiting in line. However, even after practicing, she was still too shy to say much to Robin when she was finally able to meet her in person.
This is where face to face interaction is irreplaceable: Robin was signing our daughter’s book and seemed to perceive that there was more she wanted to say. So Robin had our daughter come around to the other side of the author’s table, asked a lot of great questions and took time to listen to her. At the end, Robin gave her a big hug and took a great photograph with her. My wife and I were so grateful for Robin’s perceptive, thoughtful interaction with our daughter.
This kind of empathy and perception is really difficult to emulate in a purely online conversation. How many of us have misread the intent behind comments in the blogosphere because we couldn’t read non-verbal cues on our screen?
headsparks* 
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What a great experience for your daughter! As you know, I print hardcover books for publishers. With my clients being busy and all over the US, e-mail has been a convenient way for us to communicate. However, everyone of the clients that I still work with–while I’m also trying to focus on planting a church–I have met face-to-face years ago. I traveled to them in Chicago, Utah, and the Southland. Without the trust and experience that can only really come through in personal meetings I don’t think I’d have any of my clients today relying mostly on email communication.
Even our experience together at The Idea Camp solidifies this notion. I am closer with those on twitter that I met at The Idea Camp or in-person prior to that than those that I have never met face-to-face. I count it a privledge and honor to have had you connect with me at The Idea Camp! Without that introduction, I’d have probably only known you as the Asian dude with the cool fauxhawk hair known as @headsparks.
Twitter, Facebook, etc. have their place in our culture. There is no questioning that. However, as people with a heart, mind, soul and feelings I think it would be ridiculous for us to imagine life without physical interaction with others. Thanks for being someone willing to let me into your personal space during The Idea Camp weekend.
Hey Dave — Wow, thanks for the great thoughts. I couldn’t agree more! I think our Idea Camp experience is the perfect example of the how online social networks can strengthen offline, face to face friendship. The social networking platforms definitely helped me feel connected as friends both before and after with so many other Idea Campers. In fact, it was The Idea Camp that helped me make any sense at all out of Twitter. I’ve really appreciated your friendship as well!!