Originally Posted by Steve

The internet does a lot of things; some good, some bad.

The good: Instant communication. I can communicate with someone on the other side of the planet in a flash. While this capability isn't always necessary, it's nice to know it's there when it's need.

The bad: I know people, primarily younger people, who would be completely lost if they were asked to find a book in a library. "Dewey Decimal" means nothing to them.

Just an example.

As far as social interaction, I actually think it can be a positive thing.

I'm a member of several internet forums (watches, cameras, Harleys among them). Several of these forums have regular get togethers (one photo group meets once a month). So, you learn about the group on the internet, participate with and get to know, to the extent possible on the internet, other people, and then you go out and meet them. I don't see that as a bad thing. Some people I've met from internet forums have become some of my best friends.

The reason I say it can be a positive thing is that I don't believe it can ever be a substitution for developing one-on-one social skills. Not everyone you'll meet is someone you'll meet on the internet. You need to have those social skills that enable you to interact with people.

Case in point: Earlier this year, I was in Edmonton on business. Andrew, one of our resident libs, lives in Edmonton. We arranged to have a few beers together. Once we walked through the door to the bar, anything regarding the way we interacted on the internet was gone. We were right there, and we needed to be able to converse in a manner that the internet had nothing to do with. We were able to do that, and I think we both enjoyed spillin' a few ales that afternoon.

However, relying solely on the internet to develop and hone social skills (which I think many people do) is, I think, a bad thing...