Very interesting article, Bonaire, and I thank you for posting it.

The thing I've marveled at, which I refer to as "internet etiquette," as opposed to real life etiquette, is that people come and go...they disappear without reason, which, in real life, would elicit great concern. Over the years of dabbling on the Internet, I've made several friends, whom I considered real friends with whom I exchanged frequent emails, pics, concerns, etc., sometimes for years. Then these people "poof" disappear. They move on, I guess, but this is what I've come to refer to as "Internet etiquette." As a beginner on the Internet, several years ago, I was confused by this abrupt absence from someone whom I valued. I should add, these were not romantic friends, but female friends like myself.

The Internet dating scene is an accelerated version of this, of course. You hear from someone, exchange some emails, and learn to dismiss it offhandedly when they cease communciation (or when you choose to do so!). It's a very sanitized shortcut way of relating to people, much like the analogy the writer of the article made to buying the meat at the grocery store, sans knowing the whole story of meat processing!

That said, I do find that I rely on the Internet for much of my "human" interaction, after my day at work. It has just grown to feel safer than really getting "out there" and exposing oneself to the real world!
Patty