Hey Sue, I'll give you some of my impressions about this issue in general. It is a subject I've thought a lot about...

First of all, I would not expect too much in the way of meeting your hero via this blog. Of course it could happen, but it would surprise me. There are big dating sites that are set up to help you find that, um, special someone. They have all the search tools and you know that everybody is there looking. (I'm not endorsing them necessarily and, as a matter of fact, if I were single I would prefer old-fashioned ways of meeting people -- face to face.)

What you can find here, if you take the time to look around, is a kind of friendship that is able to break out of the glass and metal box -- a kind of coffee shop atmosphere where you are free to say what's on your mind and to open yourself up to people who are living very different experiences from your own. You are unlimited by geographical constraints and your anonymity is a way for you (and others) to let down their guards and be even more honest. Anonymity does not have to mean insincerity or untrustworthiness.

On the subject of dating, one of my favorite bloggers, gongli, has recently posted about his "speed dating" experiences. It's good writing and pretty entertaining, too... The whole blog is worth reading and you'll find links to other folks by reading the comments on this blog. One link will lead to another and you are sure to find some people that interest you.

Leaving your own comments, where you feel that you've got something to say, is the best way to lead people back to your blog where they can read a bit about your experiences.

I guess that's quite enough for one comment! Welcome to mo'time.

I've wondered the same thing and I tend to think that there is not much difference - after all, people are sitting behind the screen typing away.
With humanity there will always be the mix of good or bad or indifferent, honesty or deceit, want or need, trust or mistrust, real or fantasy, open or secretive, fun or serious, sad or happy or whatever and so on.
Interactions, friendships often stem from common interests and here on the internet you have a treasure trove of opportunities to come across others of similar mind & those who challenge 'our' way of seeing the world. In short it is an opportunity to learn and gain some insight and possibly an understanding, adding to our experience in our every day to day life off the internet.
I do believe it is possible to form friendships over the net which are like any friendship, to be worked at and based on trust.
Blogs offer an insight into others' lifes - some we will enjoy reading and keep going back to, others we will read occasionally, others we will avoid etc. so to me not much different from the world off the net.
Just my wee thoughts.

hi i'm mike i have brown hair and like to take long walks on the beach around sunset while yanni plays on my ipod...

Yanni? Ugh.