This may be my favorite installment of [Sam]antics to date. I've never been more enamored with the idea of community than I am right now for the simple fact that I'd never related so well to such a diverse group of people — in both interests and locale. You have your local communities, you have schools and a circle of friends and writing groups or book clubs, but there's something that feels different about these online communities. It feels somehow richer, deeper. As if you cherish the relationships you form because maybe you realize they never would have otherwise been possible. In that respect, it feels stronger.

There are certainly negative aspects to online communities — the idea of anonymity (though in this day and age, anonymous never really is anonymous), the idea that we don't share all of ourselves, but we do show the best part of ourselves (I'm thinking back to Carlos' great Super Media post), the idea that there are people who would rather do harm than good.

But, like you say, it's what you make of it, it's the people with whom you choose to interact that make all of the difference. Surround yourself with good people and your community will be worthwhile, instructive, insightful, and good. I like what Grace says in her comment — these are people who ask you how you are and are genuinely interested, who show support when you're down and take pride in your successes. What it comes down to is, in the best communities, these people become friends.

Awesome post, Sam, on a subject that is so dear to me as well. Thanks!

To me, community invokes a feeling of warmth and support. I think of people knowing each others names, asking how they are and caring to hear the answer. Community can be online (like you say) or offline, as in a small town or a group that gets together and knits every Sunday. Whatever it may be, it means that there is a sense of belonging and togetherness.

Thanks for sharing. Community is such a pertinent topic