The outernet is not safe for everyone. Many immunocompromised people would be risking their lives by going to in person meetings, especially since so few of you wear masks. Many queer people live in areas where even so much as giving a hint of your queerness can be dangerous. So, for many, reaching out to a person who may be leftist to build a connection is gambling with your life.
The internet allows you to build connections and find people with a much lower risk of retaliation. The information and connections provided through it has been essential for so many getting out of abusive situations. If nobody is there for these people to reach out to, many just die.
I have seen many people move across the country to be closer to the people they had safely built a community with. Internet communities can become physical ones if the need and bonds are there.
Tradition is not more important than using all the tools available to you, and that should be extremely clear for anarchists.
One important thing to remember as well, if you don’t think your action can be useful you won’t even try to make it useful. Keep that in mind when reading any comments on this.
do think it can sometimes be harder to build an initial rapport online. The lack of body language can make it tricky to convey meaning sometimes in the same way you would offline
im autistic, that makes it easier. People can use tone indicators online.
Yeah, it very much depends on the person. I find that just my voice isn’t as helpful as my voice and visible body and face, but only if I’m in a space where I feel confident and self-actualized.
A biiiig part of that though may be that I’m trans and my voice is the least passing part of me. Also my voice and text don’t have dimples.