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Electronic Friends
By George Vecsey
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By George Vecsey
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You meet the nicest people on the Internet. Ever since I
started writing these postcards nearly three weeks ago, I
have been in touch with many new best friends in Australia. Much has been made about these being the first Internet Games. There is even the theory that people in the States have turned away from the tube because they had instant access to results and opinion -- shooting from the electronic hip on a 24-hour deadline -- to say nothing of the sensational photos by Barton Silverman and Chang Lee posted on the New York Times web site. People already knew what was happening at the Games before NBC got around to giving them saccharine slivers of it. Maybe this signals a comeback in reading and all that good stuff. But there is another benefit to the first Internet Games: They were a two-way street. Not only did we tell people what was going on here, but people told us. The Internet is not just information filed on sites that range from reliable to spurious. (You can't always tell, which is a problem.) The Internet is also access to the hearts and minds of people all over the world. Back home I have learned a thing or three via e-mail from folks like Michelle Akers, the great soccer player, and Bobby Valentine, the Mets' manager, both Internet mavens. Now I have pen pals in Australia.
Bruce S. picked up on my longing for classical music: "Are you aware there exists in this country a national radio network called ABC Classic FM which is devoted to 'fine music' (mostly classical) 24 hrs a day/ 7 days a week? You'll find it on the FM band 92.9." David W: "You mentioned, Men at Work, and what became of them. Surprise, surprise. They will be performing at the Sydney closing ceremony on Sunday." Lisa S:"I am a born and bred Sydneysider, and often feel like cringing when I see an overseas perspective on the city....You have managed to capture the essence of the city during the Games.... If there is anything that I can help you or your wife with...." David C. read about my homesickness for my kayak and Manhasset Bay: "If you need a kayak fix in Sydney may I suggest you hire a kayak for a day from: Canoe Specialists, The Spit, Mosman, for a paddle around Middle Harbour and The Spit. There are some nice restaurants for lunch or you could take picnic -- some great scenery and some bush. I would not swim for the obvious reasons." Jim L: 'Aborigine' is treated as a noun, whilst 'Aboriginal' is treated as an adjective (but is also frequently used as a noun in the same way that you could use 'Canadian'). So you can identify a person as being an Aborigine or an Aboriginal (don't call them 'Abos') or you can refer to Aboriginal culture."
Ian B. couldn't miss that I am a wannabe Italian: "Tanti,
tanti complimenti! Meanwhile, in Melbourne we're laughing."
Sylvia T. caught me mistakenly speculating that the Olympic
torch was operated electronically, and then she added: "You
should visit the Heineken house in Darling Harbour (next to
National Maritime Museum) -- seriously good herring. Where
else would Australians go to get away from it all but to a
Dutch tent?"
In the old days, people had to be content with crumpling up
the newspaper and saying, "What an idiot!" Now they can type
it into a computer. Or they can even say something nice. The
electronic friends will be a lasting memory of the first
Internet Games.
George Vecsey
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