tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post4996328222003353682..comments2024-01-23T01:25:02.164+00:00Comments on Amanda Williamson Coaching and Counselling Service in Exeter, Devon: Cyber-relatingAmanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-17345163165854509952013-06-01T20:06:00.492+01:002013-06-01T20:06:00.492+01:00Dear TTS, I feel I should respond here, finally. T...Dear TTS, I feel I should respond here, finally. Thank you for your question! I appreciate your referring to my early, online paranoia's, of which you were most definitely party to. Our online friendship has always been dear to me and I shall never forget meeting you in the flesh. You are definitely a most important part of my positive, online experiences :-)Amanda Williamson (She/her)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-85573997179872268002012-12-10T13:29:25.274+00:002012-12-10T13:29:25.274+00:00Thank you for posting about your and others' a...Thank you for posting about your and others' amazing experience with online relationships.<br />I agree that in theory these relationships could be possible rewarding ,however I have yet to get my feet wet with such endeavours because, for better or worse, I am a bit paranoid about meeting or dealing with people online. After all, you really dont know who that is on the other end of the internet. I have heard some outrageous stories,not to sound silly, but some even involving cannibalism. I know people can exaggerate things. I wonder if you have some advice for the online relationship neophyte that might give me some courage and momentum with these seemingly interesting pursuits. Oh, and Nice pic ,btw..<br /><br />T.T.S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-1133426529576403802012-12-10T11:31:42.501+00:002012-12-10T11:31:42.501+00:00Thank you Codename, for the sobering reflection on...Thank you Codename, for the sobering reflection on what is so dangerous about the Internet, providing balance to the post.<br />I am particularly interested in the neurochemical aspect of "internet addiction" and have found myself checking messages far too much, and introducing restrictive measures. I saw a really good video once which explained about the dopamine rush when opening electronic messages.<br />There's an interesting piece here by Joe Dispenza - "Kidnapped by Techonology" http://www.floreschiropractic.net/blog/?page_id=43<br />This is more relevant to children though. Amanda Williamson (She/her)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-26445955545617062532012-12-09T19:29:48.294+00:002012-12-09T19:29:48.294+00:00The internet is good and bad (and shades of grey, ...The internet is good and bad (and shades of grey, of course...).<br /><br />Bad bits include pro-anorexia and pro-suicide websites, which reach out to vulnerable individuals, offer affiliation and encourage self-harm and death. Then there's the ease of access to really vile material including images and film of children and others being sexually abused and even killed. I wonder how many people who are borderline dodgy find themselves immersed in this horrible world after allowing their curiosity to get the better of them. In the old days pre-internet, an individual would have had to have had very strong predilictions to go to the trouble of seeking out like minded paedophiles; now it's just a couple of clicks of the mouse. <br /><br />Then there's Twitter and other social networking sites which seem to be a breeding ground for all manner of bullying behaviour. The phenomena even has a word for it - "trolling". Even celebrities get involved in abusing each other - the recent spat between "comedian" Frankie Boyle and X Factor winner/runner up (written on the night of the final...) James Arthur. <br /><br />Finally, there's the addictiveness of the net. Anyone with even the slightest kink in their dopamine/serotonin reward system is going to struggle to "just have one look". <br /><br />But what of the positives? Well, as Amanda has pointed out, there's the tantalising possibility of meeting some of the most awesome individuals through surfing the net and this is how I came to meet Amanda. To say that my life has been enriched through knowing her would be an understatement. She is one of the most intelligent, funny (as in humour), authentic, tough, sensitive and simply awesome individuals I have met - and I wouldn't have had this opportunity without the net. <br /><br />Say hello to bollers - the Prince of Photoshopping Codenamenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-87554642395318076062012-11-27T16:11:20.740+00:002012-11-27T16:11:20.740+00:00Thank you Laura. I enjoy reading your blog and app...Thank you Laura. I enjoy reading your blog and appreciate the authenticity expressed in your posts. How would I ever hear your story without the Internet? There are some truly wonderful things about this technology.Amanda Williamson (She/her)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-67198275847627473262012-11-27T11:24:11.427+00:002012-11-27T11:24:11.427+00:00Very interesting piece Amanda, Thanks for sharing ...Very interesting piece Amanda, Thanks for sharing yours and others experiences of online relationships. I agree that it can be a brilliant place to get to know people and I have formed many close friendships through sites like Facebook and Twitter and hope that the mutual support or interest that started things off is strong enough to keep the conversation going. <br />My own experience of writing a blog over the last year, while still not 'out there' to many people who know me in 'real life' has been an interesting learning process. While not a lot has changed over the year, I am glad that I have the space there shared with such wise, kind and supportive people like yourself. <br />Take care, LauraOn The Wayhttp://www.thinking-about-leaving.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com