Dorothy Immel
Colorado Christian University

Once upon a time, I decided to try on line dating. I lived in the middle of nowhere and had few opportunities to meet anyone. I met a man at whom I never would have given a second look had I met him face to face. I like tall slender men. He was short and chubby and not handsome. I responded to his query because his profile indicated he worked in non-profit. This appealed to me. We corresponded over the next few months and, though we are not romantically involved, we met and became friends and remain the best of friends many years later. Had I not met this man on line and gotten to know him before seeing him, I would probably never have given him the time of day. It would have been my loss.

 

Ali Hanlon
Washburn University

During a CMC through myspace I felt drawn to communicate with someone I had never met because of the desire to reduce uncertainty, the oppertunity to use selective self-presentation, and the anticipation of future interactions. Extended time played a role by fueling the anticipation of future interactions, and by creating a sence of intamacy through the amount of time spent communicating.