[Paul T]

Originally Posted by Reiver

I would choose a period in our history where the internet did not exist so one could have this conversation with a real person in some kind of human community...and not the fake community that exists 'online'.

That can be your reality today, you just have to do it. Log off, put away the phone and go talk to people. I'm actively trying to do more of this myself and I will say, for me at least, it's a nice refresher. I'm thinking of the internet as more of a tool these days - use when needed to gather info etc., but don't use as a place to just kill time. Try to forget it's there. I'll come here to briefly browse, but usually in 30 minutes I'm done, and I may not be back for days.