Proactively Parasocial (nicklandolfi.com)

The post explains parasocial relationships using the 1956 Horton and Wohl definition, arguing that we can be “parasocial” to people we know about through senses and media without meeting them. It traces how technology—from spoken language and writing to social media—amplifies the formation of these relationships, especially online interaction. While acknowledging potential downsides (e.g., loneliness substituting for real relationships), it argues parasocial connections can also be productive, such as for readers, authors, and shared communities, and concludes that blogging is one proactive way to cultivate them.