FROM THE EDITORS December 1, 2008 Issue

CONNECTED IN TRUE COMMUNITY

THE WHOLE WORLD is being given opportunities to relate not just to the person next door but to the neighbor who is not next door. Amazing technologies enable people from New Orleans to Harare, and Toowoomba to Berlin, to connect "virtually" rather than in person. This has huge advantages, including the fact that the Internet helps keep people in touch with far-flung family and friends, as well as forge new relationships. Many websites, including CSMonitor.com (see the chat excerpts, "Questions and answers about The Christian Science Monitor," on p. 16 in this week's issue) are actively encouraging site visitors to help establish a community dialogue as an integral part of their communication effort.

WITH THE ADVENT OF ONLINE COMMUNITIES, PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER ISOLATED FROM THOSE THEY YEARN TO HELP.

Send a comment to the editors

This is the end of the issue. Ready to explore further?

Online features Audio