What I meant by the forced equation is that, if I want to communicate with someone, I have to go somewhere that allows me to make that communication. Not only that but the communication itself is formatted, or limited in length, or locked away – all these things take away from the original intent of expression.

~biff~

Thanks for your comment. I agree that a Bill of Rights may be needed at some point. And I believe a discussion on the subject is necessary. But I’d be careful about forcing social sites owners to cater to too many demands. I believe if the market demands it then the type of situation that you describe will evolve from existing media.

What you are really talking about is human interaction. Yes, that’s the same online as off line. The medium doesn’t matter. People still relate in the same way. Always have and always will. I’m not quite sure what you are getting at when you say “The media should enable the person, not create an equation that forces the person to take away from themselves.”

You’re right, there is no reason to make the internet look like the real world – but what about feel? It is inevitable that eventually the social network way of communicating will be as ubiquitous as e-mail. When that happens, it should feel right. The media should enable the person, not create an equation that forces the person to take-away from themselves.

And you’re right, in no time soon will the Bill of Rights (or similar) be adopted by the entire web, but if we have these discussions now who knows what we’ll have all come up with by the time it is really really needed!

~biff~

P.S. On the subject of online feel enabling existing real-world relationships, check my Open Messaging ideas…it’s an evolving concept and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it, esp. constructive criticism! http://www.nakedyak.com/?cat=15