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5 responses to “Love in the time of textual harassment”

1. 

   david brain

   January 11, 2009 at 10:17 pm

   Much of this is true to me also Anthony. Whilst you and I obviously use the toys of social media and communications technology avidly now, I wonder if we are still wired a bit differently as we did not use them for/as part of our formative years and or some of those big milestone events?

2. 

   Dax Hamman

   January 11, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   Definately not just teenagers, but all certainly true. And I think david brian may be right too; I have no clue on the etiquette of how FB et al fit into dating – dare I say it – at our age! There certainly does seem a point in a new relationship though when it seems too early to be added as a friend. And can you imagine the awkwardness if someone set their status to say they were in a relationship with you and you didn’t agree. Be glad you dont have to worry about it!!

3. 

   Antony Mayfield

   January 12, 2009 at 9:09 am

   I wouldn’t discount that people think differently as a result of growing up with these kinds of technologies, but I would temper that observation with:

   * We’re social animals and take to these tools naturally…
   * We re-wire our brains pretty quickly – it’s more about how much you use the tools and how often than how old you are – I have many geek friends who are far more web media literate than my teenage younger brother…

4. 

   dan mcquillan

   January 12, 2009 at 9:18 pm

   I work in a youth campaign and most of my colleagues are in their early twenties (i.e. way younger than me!)

   It’s fascinating to be around them when they’re checking out each other’s potential dates on Facebook.

   For example, imho they see people’s photos as performative rather than realistic i.e. people portray a bit of a fake image, but how they fake it also tells you something about them.

   For a slightly different take on tackling harassment, did you see Holla Back NYC?

   dan

5. 

   Antony Mayfield

   January 13, 2009 at 8:22 am

   Dan – that’s a really interesting insight about performative vs. realistic representations, and how young people read them.

   I’ve seen the Holla Back NYC thing before – it’s very interesting. On the one hand empowering, on the other hand wandering close to social media vigilantism…