THE STRANGER TRANSFORMED: CONCEPTUALZING ON AND OFFLINE STRANGER DISCLOUSURE

Abstract

Disclosures, secrets, and stranger associations have long intrigued social researchers. In this article I consider the transformation of stranger associations with the use of mediated communication. I consider how non-mediated and mediated forms of stranger associations vary based on characteristics such as synchronicity, distance, ease of break, permanency of break, and stranger shopping. In addition, I propose the concept of strange making technologies-those that create for acquaintances and intimates that particular tension between remoteness and distance that Simmel identified as unique to the form of the stranger. Furthermore, I suggest that this strange making quality that is particularly strong in Internet communications has both the potential to deepen and dismantle already established relationships