A Waste Of Time?

[rabet]

I have a very good friend with whom I share many interests and opinions. However, he thinks chatsites like this are a criminal waste of time, his main point being that in almost all conversations you have no proof that the other members are telling the truth, or even if the personalities they present are real or merely a façade. He maintains that you should concentrate your attention on your family and "real" friends rather than on what he thinks of as an "online fantasy world".
I sometimes wonder if he is right in taking this attitude. Any views on this?

[Mamyalynne]

Rabet, your friends opinion is his, we each make our own minds up.

In an ideal world we would chat to real people, family and friends every day and some do - but others don't have that luxury and the internet is ideal for that.

I am sure most of us do all the above and visit here it matters not whether everything is factually true, as long as it isn't dangerous.

[gness]

Abers don't interrupt the way my family and friends do.....and I've made some super friends since becoming a member here....

And as for the medical advice......the consultant I paid £300+ to resulted in my being told to wear a built up shoe.....a bonkers solution .......

The advice I got from two medics on here resulted in.....the cure that meant the four mile walk I did to bird watch today was a doddle.......☺

[rabet]

Many thanks for all your contributions. I think you have proved the value of sites such as this.

[sherrardk]

Nothing you enjoy doing is a waste of time, each to his own. I actually find housework a waste of time :(

[jennyjoan]

I think personally most people on here are truly themselves as it would be too difficult a job to continually keep up a facade.

[bob561941]

I can never complete a crosswod without this site,and the technical and law sections are usefull.

[Old_Geezer]

Moderation is the key. (No, I'm not referring to Ed & the Mods.) Do what you enjoy in life (so long as it's legal and moral) but don't get obsessive. And be aware of risks. Also don't neglect family or friends simply because you have other leisure time activities.

[pixie373]

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a hobby- it's balance that's important. I agree with jj, you can tell what people are really like. Most people post too regularly to keep up an act for long. Plus, it's anonymous, so there's really no need to.

[ludwig]

// Most people post too regularly to keep up an act for long. Plus, it's anonymous, so there's really no need to. //

Some do try though, for whatever reason.