social media, the internet, and these manufactured communities trick our brains into feeling like we belong to actual communities -- when in reality, we do not.

social media, the internet, and these manufactured communities trick our brains into feeling like we belong to actual communities -- when in reality, we do not. Good point. Experience of computing before the time of the the 'net is the main reason I've been little-attracted to the 'promises' of phones, or distance -anything-. I learned from the BBS's and Usenet that long-distance-socializing may feel engaging, but is not a life-long nutritional substitute. Audio and even video may seem like a vast improvement over a crappy 300-baud text-only modem. But it's entirely possible that few people would like Mona Lisa after they saw her in action in a video. The trouble with illusions is: disillusion. Is the article right about "a rising American hope for a limitless self"? It doesn't come in a box.