As happens from time to time, the BBC here in the UK come up with a completely off the wall story, and start quoting facts and figures that just don't seem to match up with my idea of reality.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7789494.stmAccording to them, 40% of UK internet users have met up in real life with someone they've only met via the internet / online.
Now call me a sceptic, but "Who the hell are they?!?"
As most of the Munquis will know, some of us have met up in real life. And some of us more than once.
But the general reaction from every single person I know, or who even heard about my plans to meet some strange people from foreign lands was total disbelief, or even horror. I'm talking about 100 people who knew that I was doing it. And not one would have done it themselves, and almost all are regular internet users.
I consider the people I met up with, and some that couldn't make it 'Freinds'... that's 'Freinds' with a capital 'F'. Because I don't see any reason to treat them as anything but true freinds.
On average, I spend more time with them than I do with the majority of my real life ones. They help me out, I help them out, we share social occasions, and obviously have similar interests. So why shouldn't I.
I'd love to agree with the BBC on this one, and if it was true that 40% of the UK's online people were meeting up in real life, it would be a great thing. But I can't help getting the impression that the surveying company only took a small sample and it's made those stats appear to be abnormally high.
On the flip side, I can understand the UK's general disbelief of what's printed in the papers. I think that's quite an old-fashioned view now. Those in the older generations, whom I know, tend to believe every word thats written in the paper, or broadcast on the news, no matter how over the top or sensationalist.
I think Terry Pratchett summed it up nicely in "The Truth";
'It says here fifty-six people were hurt in a brawl,' said Mr Mackleduff, who by dint of being the longest-surviving lodger acted as a kind of president at mealtimes. He had bought a copy of the Times on his way home from the bakery, where he was night-shift foreman.
'Fancy,' said Mrs Arcanum.
'I think it must have been five or six,' said William.
'Says fifty-six here,' said Mr Mackleduff sternly. 'In black and white.'
'It must be right,' said Mrs Arcanum, to general agreement, 'otherwise they wouldn't let them put it in.'
'I wonder who's doing it?' said Mr Prone, who travelled in wholesale boots and shoes.
'Oh, they'd be special people for doing this,' said Mr Mackleduff.
'Really?' said William.
'Oh, yes,' said Mr Mackleduff, who was one of those large men who were instantly expert on anything. 'They wouldn't allow just anyone to write what they like. That stands to reason.'
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