There were microcosms of community in that kind of collection. For example if a movie made it to the video store, instead of everyone just watching it at their

There were microcosms of community in that kind of collection. For example if a movie made it to the video store, instead of everyone just watching it at their house you had more incentive to get a bunch of mates to watch it at someones house together. You also knew what everyone had access to so you mostly watched the same stuff. These days I can watch whatever niche thing I want, but none of my friends will have seen it.