Well, there has been no dearth of interesting replies on this topic.
The original reply indicating that Barry's article was US-Centric was valid.
Not all geographies suffer from such "dedicated" internet behaviour.
Some of the negative responses were uncalled for. Personal attacks on the author (whatever your opinion) serve no purpose, except to illustrate the "quality" of your repartee. If you have something to say, it is wise to keep a response articulate. State your view.
Others may or may not agree with you.
I am replying to Barry's article to state my view.
Many of you may disagree with my view, no doubt including Barry.
That is certainly your right, and I am stating here and now that I am aware that many others out there will not agree with my view any more than they might agree with Barry's view.
Anyway, this is the specific point that I am replying too:
I won't go into great detail, but a lack of face-to-face interaction leads people to devalue themselves and others and this leads to some wacky personal and social behavior on their part. For example, war and other kinds of violence become easier for these folks to accept because they don't have the empathy that comes with face-to-face interaction.
There is an alternative view than the one put forward by "social psychology" (and this alternative view has been around for over 2,500 years):
Basically, one must know oneself, before it is possible to know others.
To know oneslf requires solitude. Time alone with yourself.
No Books.
No News.
No Music.
No TV.
No Video.
No Internet.
Just oneself. Looking inward into your own mind, your own thoughts.
Only when you know yourself truly, and you can understand and forgive your own actions, can you be expected to understand, and be empathic towards others. The journey to mindfulness is the most important journey that any of us will ever make.
To be blunt, this ststement "a lack of face-to-face interaction leads people to devalue themselves" is quite contrary to the truth. In fact, solitude - a lack of face-to-face interaction - is absolutley essential in order to value oneself.
Only after this has been accomplished will face-to-face interaction be fruitful, beneficial, and rewarding.
And more. After this has happened, it would be a waste not to share your lessons, your insight, your joy with others.
I'm going to cease now, with 2 important alternative ideas:
1) "We think we're important. That is a delusion"
2) "I am not a follower, because that would mean that I am not taking complete responsibility for my life. Neither am I a leader, because that would mean that I am taking responsibility for others".
(Sayadaw U Jotika).