Yet another great article by my friend, Hardazsteele.

To Group or Not To Group
(that’s always the question)

Good Day Folks, this blog installment will have the effect of transcending the proverbial bridge between virtual and real world, in other words the observations I express here are applicable to both real world and virtual world cause and effect. Therefore, I hesitantly write this because of respect of so many of us who believe in this action in RL and RLC. Not knocking anyone’s decisions but just want to spark awareness!

After thinking that I could bury my computer in the sofa and not hear the audible sounds of my friends, whispering… no yelling for me to come ‘visit’ I soon found out that my computer was using telepathy all along, and burying it wouldn’t help bcuz the mental waves flows through all matter! Therefore I was enticed was again to pick up my laptop and visit with my good Utherverse friends.

Upon profile login, I began checking my friends list, I saw a friend who had changed her name… the blinking notice under her default pic alerted me…in rlc now! I quickly minimize the profile page and launched the software. Upon arrival in rlc I, immediately pm’ed my ‘changed name friend’

“hey what's up, see u changed ur name” I asked.
“yeah… I joined a group.. they're cool! I want u to join too! Was her reply.
“Naw, I’ll pass.” Was my curt response.
Oh please! For me! We have fun!, we party! And stuff like that! Please for ME!” Was her next plea.

Now this conversation went on for about another five minutes whereas I wished her well, but I informed her that I don’t do groups, clubs, families, etc. I stand alone on my own merits. No more than I would get involved in a street gang for security or a fraternity for popularity or privilege. The interesting part is, I have a shit-load of friends, contacts, associates etc. in RL and I have a bunch of fun loving friends in RLC. I say that not to brag or boast but to make others aware that we need to understand as human beings (or avis) that we are who we are….made perfectly by the universe… and therefore, there should be no shame of U… love u for who u are and for what u believe in, and the people who u attract into ur world will love u for exactly U.

But the interesting part is, a day or two later I get into this conversation about frats and sororities with my RL gf. She explains to me the recruiting campaign that was put on by these Greek orders. Going as far as promising popularity, and positions like a place on homecoming court! And sometimes threats of social suicide by not joining one group or another! Yeah there are all types of reasons for joining up with a group, here and in RL, but one must ask… does the group fit who I am, or must I adjust me to fit the group…

I’m a free-loving spirit, which means I love my freedom. Freedom to choose who my friends are… freedom to choose who I love!… Even freedom to choose how I vote. Freedom to choose even my enemies (of which I have none)! So many of us allow groups, to which we belong to, choose our enemies! Whether it’s a gang leader telling u to hate a ‘rival’ gang or it’s your country’s govt telling u to hate another nation or group of ppl!

I know some affiliations we are born into, but that doesn’t mean U don’t have the choice of whether u would blindly follow wherever a group may lead u… if so… then sheep we truly are. U have the choice of whether blind pride in that affiliation will lead u to abandon ur capacity for individual thought.

I’m just saying, I have a bunch of FUN in RLC and a bunch of fun in RL, and I don’t get it….maybe I don’t but will someone please explain to me why we think we need to belong to something in order to have our identities validated? (both as humans and apparently as avatars).

As always…. Have fun!
~Peace above ALL
~Steele