The Vanished

One thing that's hard to get used to in the on-line life is that people simply disappear. In normal life, people as a rule go for any number of typical reasons. Even if we don't like those reasons, don't understand them, etc., they are at least known,

On-line, people are here, then they're not, often. Some aren't around long enough to get attached to, but many are. Here, then gone. With no knowing. Have they died? Taken greviously ill? Had a terrible accident of some sort? Left on-line entirely? Or simply ended one persona and adopted a completely new one, with all bridges instantly and conveniently burned?

My gut feeling is that the latter is more often than not the case. People get into situations . . . and, in life, it can be hard to remove onesself from those situations -- on-line, it's staggeringly easy. And the number of people who've "gone" and then come back (as "someone else") tells Me this is the most common explanation for "sudden IRC departure syndrome."

Personally, I don't care to hold a grudge. If someone leaves, and comes back, by and large I still welcome them with open arms (if the person is looking to be welcomed). Friends, real and on-line, are too valuable to write off. It's never too late to do the right thing . . . and what good does it do Me to keep being angry becasue someone's gone?

Those out there in the net-void somewhere who I miss -- you know who you are. I'm still here, and wish you were still around.