Can Online Events Create Community?

Just went on a little rant on Twitter. I cobbled it together with some minor edits to repost here:

So… you don't believe that online events can create community, engage audiences, generate friendships, entertain and educate, encourage curiosity, create knowledge and best practices, facilitate networking, lift people up, and promote kind and generous conversation?

They can.

In watching the one-year anniversary of Alex Lindsay's Office Hours (youtube.com/alexlindsay), there wasn't a dry eye in the house- proving not only is it possible to do all that, but it's actually being done out there right now. Thank you, Alex, and all the amazing panelists. I learn something new every time I'm able to drop in, which I try to do at least twice a week.

Like all good events, online or otherwise, it takes passion, creativity, and knowing your goals and objectives (drink!). Hearing Alex's mission statement from 1992 shows that this wasn't a reaction to COVID, it's something he's been building toward for 30 years. COVID was just the catalyst for this particular version of the mission.

Someday I hope to have that clarity of vision. 20+ years into my own career, I often feel like I'm still at the eye doc. "Better? or Worse? Better? or Worse?" But each day, I try to dial it in a little more, and I feel like it's starting to come into focus.

There's a light at the end of this tunnel we've been in, but don't "return" to the old as we get there. Share knowledge. Share kindness. Stay curious, and keep the ball moving forward. And we'll get there together.