A Burst of Reality in Social Media
We spend so much time in social media that it’s easy to forget real life. Yes, social media is “real life” but I think you know what I mean.
I just found out from a friend that blogger and Twitter user Meg Porter (@megapixel) was killed in a car crash last week.
She was 24-years old. Just a kid, really, with a huge life ahead of her.
I’d chatted a few times with Meg a while back but, like so many other connections, never really had a chance to get to know her really well. But I do recall her making me laugh a few times with her words.
Even though I didn’t know Meg as much as some of my other online friends, the news of her death still came as a shock and upsets me. So much life taken away in an instant. So much for Meg to live for.
Meg was a great video blogger, and her videos show you a lot more behind the person. She also took some great photographs and you could tell that a brilliant, creative mind lived inside this young lady.
We move in such fast circles and fast times, always chasing the newest application or technology, that we can forget there are real people and real things happening every hour, every day away from our computer screens.
Meg Porter was one of these people. Her sad death is one of these real things.
While social media is the space we live in, let’s make sure we enjoy the space away from it too. We never know when it might end.
My thoughts go out to Meg’s family and friends – I’m sorry for your loss.
19 Responses to “A Burst of Reality in Social Media”
I didn't know her well either, a few RT's, etc. But as the saying goes, the death of one diminishes us all. There is a closeness and camaraderie on twitter akin to an extended family. Wish I'd gotten to know her better. Thanks for the thoughtful blog, Danny.
This is a really thoughtful post, Danny, and I know many of us appreciate it. I didn't know Meg, but I too was shaken by news of her death. Why? Because Twitter really hammers home the fact that we're all human, part of a community – and the fact that many were affected by the tragic, far-too-soon loss of Meg, solidifies that concept.
-Lauren @beebow
Meg and her family and friends will be in my heart and prayers. Thank you Danny for this thoughtful post, and giving us a chance to grieve the loss associated with this obviously special and talented young woman. I agree with Sonny + the others who have posted here already that the social communities where we spend our time can become real sources of friendship and collaboration. We should always remember to be kind to one another.
Such a nice tribute Danny. Thank you.
As much as we do come to 'know' many of our online contacts we don't always get the chance to connect in person. There are many out there who did know and love Meg, and to those I send my heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
For the rest of us, you brought us closer to a lovely and talented young woman taken from this world far too soon. Thank you Danny, for a compassionate and sensitive post.
Danny, this is a really nice tribute and so much better than the cold news article about her death. I had a similar “relationship” with Megan and appreciate you paying her this respect.
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@schneidermikeHi guys,
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts about Meg. I don't think there's anything I could add except that if there's anything to be appreciative of at Meg's loss, is that she was fondly thought of by people that are essentially strangers to each other.
Yet even strangers can be friends and make a community, which you and everyone else have shown.
Thank you.
This is a truly a sad story. Thanks for sharing this. My condolences to her family and friends.
I must be honest and say I didn't know her on Twitter, but it sent a chill down my spine. This to me seems more 'real' than the news about Michael Jackson. I can relate to this as a 'there but for the grace of God and all that' a lot more.
I often wonder when people just disappear of the social network scene, what happens to them. I guess most of the time it is some innocent maybe even prosaic reason, then other times it's horrible news like this.
Danny,
Thank you so much for writing this. I knew Meg fairly well, she was an amazing, creative, and fun young lady. This is a tragedy ;( I will miss her for *real* even though I never met her IRL.
We just can't take these relationships for granted online or offline.
I too was saddened by Meg's death. Back in April, I had seen a tweet that she was planning a trip to South Beach. I tweeted her that I would connect her with some nice young people here so she could have fun. I even told one of my best friends son about her and if they didn't mind adding her on Facebook so they could connect and DM'd her the email of this nice young guy.
She eventually told me her trip was cancelled…unfortunately her life now has been cancelled…I literally cried that day and thought about her and her family's tragedy. I was also amazed at the power of the connection of the twitter medium. It sunk in that day how you can really make some nice connections even if short lived.
My last tweet with her was that I was trying to play twitter cupid…I know that cupid in heaven is giving her lots of love now because she shared it in her tweets.
@blancastellaWhat a beautiful voice and sadly ironic song. She is an incredible loss to the world. Very nice tribute. Tragic.
Danny, this is Meg's Mom. I want to thank you for taking the time to do this very sweet tribute to my precious daughter. I also want to thank all the nice people that commented so tenderly about Megan. She was our only child, still lived at home, and with every second that goes by, it gets harder to know that she won't be coming home……we are heartbroken and miss her terribly. For those of you that have children, hug them often,tell them you love them even when they are mad at you….and, spend time with them, even if it's to just ask them how their day went….they will notice. Again, thank you all for being so kind……with genuine appreciation, Megan's Mom
I never knew Meg was an only child – I can't imagine how you must feel at the minute.
How Meg was viewed online says a lot about how you must have brought her up, and I'm sure everyone's thoughts are with you and your family. She was certainly a well-loved character and I'm sure she was as proud of you as you are of her.
My sincerest warmest wishes to you.
I noticed the same happened with me. A friend I know in real life and on twitter just mentioned her death, and a chill went down my spine, too. It's not just that I'm reminded that just about anyone's life could get cut short by a car accident, it's that I'll miss what she could have contributed to my friend's life, and indirectly contributed to mine. I also can't help but think I might have got a chance to enjoy her creative work and insights myself, as it was being created (I enjoyed the video that was embedded in this post).
In my experience, the most common thing that happens when people disappear from the social network scene is that they come back. I'm really starting to believe that social networking is transforming society.
I once saw a tweet which says: “If you don’t get any tweets from me anymore, that only means I’m dead”. At first I thought would be a great excuse for not updating and that people would understand you’re busy and all but this is definitely a sad story.
Thanks Danny for such a thoughtful post.
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Definitely a very sad story. What amazes me is how close nit this community really is. We could've had 1 tweet with the person or not had even had followed them, but immediately have a connection with someone from our 'playground' when something tragic like this happens.
We shouldn't forget the offline beauties of life that we have, but knowing that we'll always have a 'family' that supports us online also, is amazing in its own.