Many media experts and internet users have fiercely criticised Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands following her 2009 Christmas message.
The queen tackled subjects including virtual communication which she said actually divided people rather than bringing them closer together. Although no names were given, she was taken to be referring to social networks such as Hyves, Facebook, Twitter and to text messaging in general.
Internet expert Vincent Everts has told Radio Netherlands Worldwide that the queen doesn't know what she's talking about. He argues the opposite of what she said is true.
Media academic Professor Mark Deuze agrees, believing the queen is in denial about the way society has changed. He thinks people have been drawn closer together, but on a global level rather than just locally.
One of the founders of the Hyves social network, Raymond Spanjer, has offered to open an account for the queen so she can report her experiences of the results.
Many columnists and Twitter users have complained that they were treated with contempt in the Christmas message. An estimated nine million people in the Netherlands make use of the Hyves network and a further 500,000 use Twitter.
photo: Queen Beatrix’ Christmas message (NOS)
Queen Beatrix’ Christmas message (NOS)
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L.S.;
I think our Queen Beatrix is very right and it is very brave and also very neccesary she talked about it.
I also use facebook and like using e-mail,sms,hp it reduces the serious talks.
It only gives quick human contact and then the people are not lonely anymore for a while.
People in this a bit individualistic time still need other people and think they can solve it this way.
The real nice and more good contacts between human beings can not be replaced by e-mails,sms,hp talks,facebook like contacts,etc.
Of course it augments the contacts with each other,but it is not always an improvement.
Not saying to stop that is a good thing,but to make better use of it is a good thing.
Our Queen gives the warning to do that.
Again:very brave she did that.
Yes,we have a good queen.Luike a mother.A good mother also must sometimes say something,that is impopular in the mind of f.i. her children.
I think,she said something,what many people alerady thought;even the very fanatic facebook,etc.,ertc. users,but did not dared to talk about it really into the open.
I hope,that the big facebooklike network owners and our monarch: Queen Beatrix will understand each other.
Yours sincerelly:
D.P. Tick
Vlaardingen/Holland
In your article you claim that an estimated 9 million people in the Netherlands make use of the Hyves nework. The country has about 17 million inhabitants. Come on, get real!
The Queen forgets, that the medium is virtual but the people are real with real emotions! And they can be more genuine and loving than people in face to face contact. I wonder if she has this feeling for virtual contact, what must she be feeling about telepathic contacts and soulmates!!!!!
The Queen is out of touch. Facebook has enabled me to reconnect with people from school, university and former work associates from up to 30 years ago.
the dutch queen is completely right. hence the negative reactions to it. internet/email/sms etc. cheapens relationships. people have fake and phony relationships through internet/email/sms etc. it's superficial and meaningless and in the end only physical and face to face relationships can ever develop into something real such as friendships, relationships etc. internet requires no effort on the part of the user.
writing a letter by hand and mailing it does require effort and not many people do that anymore.
Hare Majesteit heeft gelijk.
spreek gezicht tot gezicht, vooral met buren en familie.
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