Some people connect more strongly face to face. Some people connect more strongly word to word. If I was at something like HIVE fest, I’d be standing in the corner, talking to nobody, not networking, and would probably feel very unfulfilled and alone in a room, just like I do at other social events and seminars.

I’m a deeply introverted person and not actively social in large groups. I much prefer the chaotic, free-flowing conversation around a bar room table, or at a friend’s kitchen bench, side to side, fist deep in cooking ingredients.

I like to, and prefer to connect with people through the words I use. It takes me a long time to feel comfortable in the presence of someone else, but online, I’ve always been able to engage and have conversations because I know that I don’t need to worry about things like eye-contact, ensuring the pitch of my voice is correct, and worrying about whether people are looking for bits of left over spinach in my beard.

In text, I just communicate better.