Internet Takes Place of Meeting on the Stoop
When I was growing up in Brooklyn, we got our local news from talking to neighbors on our stoops – New York-ese for the steps in front of our apartment building or home. Today, with our speedy lives, for many, community comes mainly from online listserves and sites like Facebook.
My stoop has become the several Oakland listserves I monitor daily. That is where I can find out what is happening in my local area. It often starts as a question… “Has anyone tried the new restaurant?,” or “Did you hear about the accident on 580 this morning?”
A useful feature, for me, is the opportunity for neighbors to ask each other for ideas or recommendations. I have recently responded to requests for a good window installer, carpet/flooring person and sprinkler system installer among others. My wife, a computer consultant, has answered some tech questions. This ability and willingness to share is one of the great things about the Internet.