I'm really fascinated and kind of excited about the couchsurfing network. I had never heard of it before this class. In some ways, I'm so excited about the community that it is building all around the world. It's one thing to know that you can connect to people all around the world via the internet, but it's a very different thing to know you can actually go and meet with them, get a tour of their town, and potentially even stay in their home. It does, however, pose some safety risks. It is great that they offer to "verify" the person, so this does alleviate some of the fear/danger. They've allowed you to be able to give lots of information about yourself on your profile, including pictures, which can help make others feel more comfortable with you and feel like they know you better. And people who do know you or have met you, etc, are able to leave references, which also helps to make people feel more comfortable with you. But, especially as a woman, there is an element of risk that must be weighed if I were to ever take advantage of this network, especially if I was traveling solo (which I honestly doubt I would do because of this risk). And the same goes to opening your home to someone-- you never know what may walk out with the person. But I may become more comfortable as I use this site.. so for now I've offered my abilities to show someone around, meet for a drink, etc. I don't have the space to accommodate a visitor right now anyway, but I definitely plan to eventually and would like to be comfortable enough to have a stranger stay in my home.. in the name of good will :)
Long ago (it feels like another lifetime), I made a friend via AOL Instant Messenger. At the time I was 14 and he was in his 20s. I lived in Concord and he lived in Boone (went to App!). We started chatting frequently and become good internet buddies. I'd initially lied to him and told him I was closer to his age, just so no one thinks he was some pedophile. Eventually I came clean... after talking to him via IM for YEARS.. I think I was 17 when I came clean and told him I'd lied. Luckily he didn't hold it against me. He was pissed initially.. but forgave me, as he admitted he'd never have talked to me if he'd known I was so young (and would've missed out on my awesomeness! :)) We then started chatting on the phone occasionally and finally we met up in Raleigh. To this day, we're still friends (11 years after we'd first "met" online). Now when I think about this, it seems so very dangerous.. but there weren't the predators out on the internet that there are today.
So what's the point of this story? :) That I guess it would have and still is possible to do this same kind of thing as CS offers (meeting people, potentially staying with them) with other social networking sites.. I also made a friend via Facebook when I had first transferred schools and we chatted via facebook for a month or so before meeting at a bar one night. And I do know of some friends who made such good friends with people who followed their blog (or vis-versa) that they ended up meeting up. However, I don't know of nearly as many (only one, actually) occurrences where they couchsurfed with one another.. but it's not necessarily impossible.
I feel like CS has a totally different goal than other social networking sites. The other sites are more to connect with people solely on the internet and/or to show the world who you're connected to in real life. Example: I only add people on facebook that I'm friends with in the real world.. (with the exception of that one person when I first transferred..) And I think many people are like that these days. Other social networking sites tend to be predominantly people you've never met (my friend has a blog that I'm the only person that follows it that she actually knows.. and has over 50 followers). CS has the purpose of connecting people with others that they will definitely meet, visit with, and maybe even stay with.
As much as I like to travel (and as little as I have in way of funds to do so) this website really does offer an awesome service. And I also just love the potential that is afforded to make connections and RELATIONSHIPS with people all over the world. I'm a huge fan and I'm glad to have been introduced to such a website. Now I just hope time (and space) allows me to take full advantage of its services and offer my own home (eventually) to others!
My CS Profile
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