I never said disrespect is a rule of the internet. I just said that you have no idea who you're looking at. There is nothing to distinguish a person, such as the sound of someone's voice, or the memory of someone's face (someone's typing idiosyncrasies isn't enough). There may be someone on the other side of the wire, but you have no idea who that is unless you are using Skype video. Therefore, respect is something that is hard to do over the internet. That said, I do have respect for some people on the internet, but I don't by any means equate it to a real live interaction with people. I have seen pictures or heard recordings of some of you, but really, to me (and many others here I'm sure), most of you are faceless and don't warrant more than a passing thought most of the time. I do give people a certain degree of politeness, but I won't go out of my way for it.
I always try and be very respectful of everyone, especially adults who might have a better understanding about things than I do. IN this instance though I really really disagree with the poster.
I can read the Bible, or the Koran or a good book and be deeply affected by the ideas expressed and have a great deal of respect for the mind that came up with those ideas. I can be deeply affected by those ideas if the ideas expressed are truly compelling and well thought out. I dont ever have to meet the person to have profound respect for them. I can hear a piece of music that I dont know the composer, nor the performer and still be deeply affected by that music.
I have never meet nor will I probably meet most of the people on this forum, but I have immense respect for there intelligence , wit, and clarity of thought as evidenced by there posts. I have totally enjoyed some of the postings on the audition board . All of these things affect me and make me think.
The internet is an exchange of ideas and part of those ideas relate to art. When those ideas are powerful enough they have a huge impact on you , even if you do not realize it at the time.
I mean , Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, etc. none of us have ever meet, but there musical ideas have profoundly influenced each and everyone of us and at least to me has earned my gratitude and respect.
To finish I would like to say that even though i disagree with retrouvailles i respect the point of view he/she stated .
Cheers , Becky
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