The use of third places was advantageous for both the individual and the community by providing a number of benefits. For the individual, third places were a place to go free of stress and provided a sense of belonging. A great example of a third place and the relationship between an individual and a “traditional” third place is represented in the television show Cheers. Cheers was a fictional bar located in Boston, the atmosphere was laid back and had the motto of “Where everyone knows your name.” The bar was the cornerstone in the community. Many people …show more content…
While anyone in a traditional community can access a local bar, virtual spaces have barriers. 41% of the online population is made up of North Americans, while 4% is from South America. In 2002, 90% of the online world was made up of Caucasians (Soukup, p. 428). Access to the internet also includes training and knowledge to utilize the internet, chat rooms and blogs. Therefore, accessibility is more than owning a computer or having internet access, it also requires the knowledge to utilize the internet to effectively communicate. Accessibility can be argued against in the traditional model. Socio-economic standing can play into a person’s ability to gain access to certain venues or