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I have a lot of friends who hate the internet. I do not hate the internet. In fact, I kind of love it. Sure, I too can argue the nastiness of technology, but when it offers us so many helpful resources, it doesn't quite seem a fair argument to make. We often discuss websites that can assist you in living a greener life, and I stand behind using those sites. When used in a certain way, the internet doesn't have to turn us all into mindless cyber-profiled drones without a three dimensional existence. In fact, it can aid in our development of that existence and it can aid us in existing greenly.
If you haven't gotten on board with MeetUp.com yet, scurry over to their url and check it out. The site connects lovers of all things, essentially, and helps them to organize real-life face-to-face meetings in their respective towns. I joined the site a few months ago as per a recommendation from a friend. I've had a difficult time finding New Yorkers who enjoy caving (or spelunking, if you prefer) and a friend swore there'd be a group for the activity on MeetUp. He swore and he was right. Not only did I find a group of people to connect with through a caving group, but I found a hiking group, an adventurers group, a musicians group and I even joined my friend's group—a whisky tasting group. Whatever it is you enjoy, I'd wager a bet that you can find a group for it on MeetUp. And if you can't find a group, the site encourages you to start one on your own.
Why Meetup is green:
- MeetUp helps you to reduce fuel use.
If I wanted to explore all of the caves in the Northeast, I'd have to rent a car or try to find a bus to each cave. All alone. And let me tell you, there aren't a whole lot of buses that include a cave stop on their route. I've looked. For caving adventures, and all other out-of-the-way adventures, MeetUp facilitates carpooling and organized bus trips. This saves fuel and money for everyone involved. - MeetUp helps you participate in green activities.
When I say there are all sorts of groups on MeetUp; I mean it. That includes many volunteer groups, an Eco-Friendly Design group, Go Green groups, and other environmental groups. - MeetUp gets you off your butt.
One complaint I'll happily share with my internet-hating comrades is that the internet spews a lot of internet-obsession and internet-obsession spews a lot of, dare I say it, laziness. Other popular social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, offer you an addiction to online presence. MeetUp, on the other hand, offers you an addiction to real-life presence. Unplugging and connecting with others non-virtually is always greener.
MeetUp helps you to go green AND make friends who you can chat with face-to-face. So I rest my case. The virtual world, when used as a tool, has a lot to offer the real world.
More on going green with websites:
Making Craigslist Work To Green Your Life
Twitter This: Something Green
Join The Top 5 Green Facebook Groups
6 Planet-Saving Facebook Applications
