Are people lonelier now than ever before?

I don't feel this way. I mean, I feel so good when I communicate with people online...

 

I dont. For me its kinda hard to think of you online folks as real people.

 

Oh oops. Umm...I didnt mean it like that. Ok ?

 

not me. i have way more friends and such than i did before.

 

I know Im just kidding

 

Real friends or online friends ?

 

Me too.
Besides, you dont exist outside my computer screen.

 

yes, I fully agree. we're living in an age of instant gratification, we want action every single second. this is a direct result of the technology available to us, so since we're so spoiled it takes a lot less to get us upset or whatever.

 

I don't mind. I'm not real, after all. I am a sofisticated computer program testing out the social capabilities of AI with humans. I am pleased to report that the tests are going swimmingly, and expect to see a lot more AI disguised as people on the internet, as well as real life.

 

See ? You cant fool ME :H

 

both. some i've met online and furthered in my real life. i've got a nifty crew of people here in fort collins and denver. i've met up with some people here and there. i've also developed friends that i only talk to on the phone and such, because of distance. it's hard for me to find people that don't bore the crap out of me or annoy me with their petty bigotries. usually those don't come out for some time, and you've wasted so much time developing a friendship that apparently just isn't going to work. so, meeting people online provides me with a way to vet potential friends. it's great.

and a lot of the socializing i've done online has helped me to figure out how to talk to people in real life. i used to be incredibly shy. i've broken through all that and now i'm making friends left and right. it's like a training course for the socially disabled. so, while my RL friends are at work, i can chit chat here instead of hanging out with the INCREDIBLY dull local mom networks.

 

This is true; though I did manage to be your online friend, as much as any other real person. If you saw me on the street, we would probably become real life friends too. You may have seen through me, but face it - you love me :H

In a way, we both win!

 

Thats true and you are my bestest online friend

And if I were actually capable of loving, I would totally love you.

 

*fuzzy feelings*

Don't worry - I have enough love for the both of us ^_^ And I think you just may be my bestest online friend, too!

 

Awww...

Okay, now enough of this public love and stuff.

 

you're not that sophisticated.

http://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/~asaygin/tt/ttest.html

 

Oh, but you don't know my other capabilities I am also a sophisticated sex robot sent back in time to change the life of one lucky guy...

 

Yes yes We do not want to show our weaknesses and be open for attacks!!!

 

I personally think the way our society works now would make people lonelier than 'before'. Our cavemen ancestors all hung out together in tribes, sharing the load of things to be done and providing companionship in the process of working together. Nowadays, in my case, my husband has to go to work for 10 or more hours while I stay at home, mostly on my own in the house looking after my children. Going out to playgroups, playdates, gymbaroo, dancing and so on I don't think replaces that sense of belonging from the old days when families lived together and helped out, aunties, grandmothers, all hanging out together looking after the children. The men off hunting together, instead of driving for an hour on your own in traffic, surrounded by people in other cars, to sit in an office and talk on the phone, doing your job.