Is WP the only meaningful socialization that you have?

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It's the main socialising in my life. I hardly communicate with anyone outside of Wrong Planet.

Not sure if it's more meaningful though. I think my socialising with my partner is more meaningful (if that counts).

Whilst I've not got much of a circle of friends, I do quite a lot of socialising outside of WP. I'd say WP comprises about 20% of my socialisation.

i find this thread a bit sad. how will you guys who barely socialize beyond a web forum improve your social skills?

these skills CAN be learned, even if they are harder for us than other people

There is the prime Inner Circle - functioning at 5.5 souls

More involved than WP, communicating with some more, others ldess.

There is the Family Enclave. Approximately 20. mUCH LESS CONTACT.

As for the Outer Ring - Colleagues and Office Mates - these days WP is pretty much what there is.

You're assuming that we care to.

In my own case, I have no real need to learn any more about that. But for others here, I am inclined to believe some good things can come from this kind of open sharing:

1) People can better-realize they are not alone in their struggles (and thereby feel a bit of "moral support");
2) People can exchange personal concerns, desires and goals (and thereby influence others to possibly re-consider their own);
3) People can share things they have actually learned/found/discovered helpful in relation to socializations.

I agree, it is a bit sad. I think it was the inherent sadness that prompted me to post it. You know, for all my love of peaceful isolation, I do get lonely. I see people whose lives seem enriched by meaningful contact with others, and part of me longs for that.

I've been trying to socialize beyond web forums since before there were web forums. Trying and squarely failing pretty much every time. I suppose that was the heart of this idea... Despite my best efforts, it seems like the only meaningful socialization in my life takes place here amongst others who share something of my perceptual mindset. I was curious if anyone else shared this feeling.

I don't really feel that I am socializing here because most of the time I don't know what to say (just like real life?) I do find that people here have a lot of interesting input that I like to read.

I have meaningful conversations both on and off WP.

No.

The Internet is the primary means of meaningful socialization in my life. Wrong Planet is one place I do this, but I am also on a handful of social networking sites, fora, and a few mailing lists. I also interact with some people primarily by e-mail or chat.

I love fora, thanks for reminding me about it, I used to watch all the current affairs and economics stuff and scoff at the economists pretending to be scientists

this is meaningful in the sense that i can be myself, for the most part. i dont get to do that in real life because i'm trying to relate to NTs all the time using their methods of communication so in essence im pretending to be someone altogether different. its not really me socialising its an alternate version of me. this alternate version is still awkward though and is hindered by this awkwardness so not much communicating gets done anyway. i don't really have friends although i do talk to a couple of people from my course once a week. i force myself to go to group things but i always end up alone and mute, trying my best to be invisible. dont talk to family. dont like them.

I'd not call WP meaningful socialisation...or socialisation at all...or for that matter it ain't that great social interaction at all as I see very little in the way of interaction with other members - no PM's and no real back-and-forth, unfortunately I just seem to post and reply.

It is one of the few times I get any sort of social interaction though.
I see my boyfriend daily and I have some interaction with shop staff, but that's about it, I very rarely see any of my friends due to finances and lack of opportunity, I don't work so I don't get the daily interaction I'd get there either...it's sad, I lack social interaction not due to poor social skills per say, just lack of opportunity. So WP is the only constant source of social interaction, no matter how little or how poor.

Far from it, although socialisation with people on the autistic spectrum comprises pretty much 100% of my interaction, we're blessed to have a number of options for Aspie socialisation here.

I answered "other"... I find that the most meaningful social contact for me is on the internet (for the past 3 or 5 years), but not limited to WP. I'm very active on three other boards having to do with my special interests, and I have several friends who are long-time friends in those hobbies from before there was any internet. WP is the only site I belong to whose members are all "e-friends" with none of whom I have met in person. I am also quite active on Facebook, and that's where I do most all communicating with old friends and other connections.

I can function in groups of friends perfectly OK when it's the suitable time, but it is FAR more secure-feeling and enjoyable to socialize on the Internet.

Charles