This post is part of the Glossary Series, a 100-day conversation designed to develop and clarify the language we use to describe online communication. As Year 2008 comes to a close, the emerging Glossary of Online Communication will be published along with a selection of the comments from my readership. I hope to see your comments among them.
I’d like to point out that this Glossary is not meant to be a quirky artistic event. I want to clarify and add meaning to this language which I believe is important to our future as a sustained and vital culture. Keep that in mind as you scrutinize these terms.
So today’s term is one I came up with to describe activities which occur outside the “online” realm. I call it “onground.”
Day 2: Onground
Onground: The world we walk around on. Bricks-and-mortar. The electronically-unaided full-sensory fleshy world. As opposed to "online." Also referred to as "offline," however, the onground world does not exist strictly within the definition of the online world. A traveler in the outback, for example, does not have to be described as "offline," while she likely is also not online.
What other words are being used to describe the world that is not online? Can we improve on my definition here? Does it need expanding or further clarification? How about a secondary definition?
Suzanna
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Comments
"Onground" is certainly more elegant than the once-popular "meatspace," and a little more specific than the bland "real life." I'm not entirely sure it's the right word. There's the implication of being grounded, which is generally good. Following on that, though, is the idea that online communication is less substantial, more airy, and not as important. Maybe I read too much into it.
Thanks Mike, and yes, just to keep things stirred up, what about people who are flying in an airplane but are not online? Are they onair? Should we worry about them or just hope they brought some really good snacks for the journey?
Suzanna
People who are accustomed to networking online tend to forget to put their feet on the ground and establish face-to-face contact. Putting the two together can quadruple your efforts. That's why I believe it's important to look into what types of local networking goes on in your local communities.
For example, in my area, some guy just started an Inside919 on Ning. The only people who can network there are the people who live within that area code.
In less than two weeks I picked up a primary sponsor for my Business Boot Camp for Women and another media coaching job. The difference, I
believe, is the fact that we are closer to each other and even though we primarily network online, we can still see each other and socialize face-to-face.
I even started a Business Divas group as an extension of my online group, Boomer Diva Nation.
I say this to you to say make sure you leave no stone unturned and then determine what will work best for you.
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