And People Wonder Why Geeks Are Lonely

[Epsi]

A recent survey indicated that as many as 25% of people would be happy left all alone, as long as it was in cyberspace.

Conducted by Zogby International, a polling firm in Utica, N.Y., the survey questions were e-mailed to a scientifically selected sample of nearly 9,800 U.S. adults, who offered precise feedback to not-so-burning questions like, "Can the Internet serve as a substitute for a significant other?"

To that question, 24 percent answered "Yes." Apparently, a good broadband connection and all the possibilities it opens up would compensate for not having a companion who might, after all, leave the cap off the toothpaste, fail to put the seat down on the toilet or hog the TV remote.

Singles, as expected, are more likely (31 percent) to consider the Internet sufficient companionship. That men and women responded that way in equal numbers either supports Galvin's "it's not just smut" thesis or suggests that the wild side of the Web is an equal-opportunity lure.

Well, this really takes to task the idea that people need physical interaction with other humans. But this shouldn't really surprise anyone. After all, we've been gradually pulling ourselves into electronic shells anyway. Even when we go out, we're encased in iPod or Nintendo DS composed "armor" that shields us from interaction with others.

Source

[Zach]

I think it's a bit misleading though.. Although people would be lacking physical interaction, on the net you still get social interaction.

Which is one of the biggest lures. The anonymity and convenience of the net being right at your fingers, is a big lure to a lot of people. It also shatters a lot of conventional social barriers. Such as race, ideology, etc.

I practically grew up on the net.