two discussion

Module 2

Author Michael Bugeja writes: “‘Friending really appeals to the ego, where friendships appeal to the conscience” (p. 107). Yet, many scientists are hopeful that people understand the difference between “friending,” forming virtual links, and “befriending,” forming real connections.

In at least 250 words total, please answer each of the following, drawing upon your reading materials and your personal insight:

• Discuss whether scientists are correct in their view that most people understand the difference between forming real friendship connections and virtual friending.
• To what extent do you believe that friending appeals to the ego, and friendship to the conscience?
• After reviewing the Standford piece on friendship, how do online friendships measure up, ethically speaking?

Posting Guidelines 

Evaluation Criteria 

Read the Discussion Board Rubric [PDF, File Size 41.8 KB] to understand the expectations for this assignment. Keep the following points in mind:

• Postings should be original, accurate, and focused on the topic.
• Postings should demonstrate understanding of key concepts.
• Responses should be original, sufficiently detailed, and stimulate discussion.
• Provide a minimum of one cited reference in APA style for each original posting.
• Online tips for using APA style may be found at the OWL website. 

All discussions together count as 30% of your overall grade.

For information about writing your discussion posts, consult Discussion Tips.  Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you post it. When you are ready to make your initial posting, please click on the “Create Thread” button for a new thread, or “Reply” to respond to a previous post, copy/paste the text from your document into the message field, and click “Submit.”

Module 2

Research indicates that there are millions of people addicted to the Internet (p. 104). This addiction is similar to a shopping addiction, where more is considered better. People often compulsively collect friends.

In your text, Vernon maintains that the Internet certainly brings more people into our lives, but it is best suited for sustaining friendships, rather than creating them. He writes: “Virtuality may feel liberating, as free as a planet whirling through space. But we are persons, and embodied persons, too. Intimacy ultimately depends for its flourishing on contact in the real world, face to face” (p. 121).

In at least 250 words total, please answer each of the following, drawing upon your reading materials and your personal insight. Please do not use people or place names which may identify someone.  Please do not share links to others’ Facebook or other social media sites.

• Evaluate/Assess your own enactment of Internet friendship, or that of someone you know (child, friend). Do you primarily use the Internet to collect new friends, maintain your friendships, or both? Apply ethical considerations regarding the intersection of the Internet and friendship.
• To what extent is it possible to cultivate true intimacy online in a way that one might experience in person?
• How does our consumeristic society impact our approach to online friendships?  

Posting Guidelines 

Evaluation Criteria 

Read the Discussion Board Rubric [PDF, File Size 41.8 KB] to understand the expectations for this assignment. Keep the following points in mind:

• Postings should be original, accurate, and focused on the topic.
• Postings should demonstrate understanding of key concepts.
• Responses should be original, sufficiently detailed, and stimulate discussion.
• Provide a minimum of one cited reference in APA style for each original posting.
• Online tips for using APA style may be found at the OWL website. 

All discussions together count as 30% of your overall grade.

For information about writing your discussion posts, consult Discussion Tips.  Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you post it. When you are ready to make your initial posting, please click on the “Create Thread” button for a new thread, or “Reply” to respond to a previous post, copy/paste the text from your document into the message field, and click “Submit.”