A Meeting of Solitudes Response

Roger Ebert's journal entry, A Meeting of Solitudes, can be read here.  It seems to be very clear that these two posts by Ebert that I have read are very similar.  They keep me questioning the same thing, and that is what the online world has become.  It's a safe and friendly place for those shy people to voice their opinions.  It's a place for them to say what they want, and be heard my hundreds, thousands, millions.  Maybe they're too nervous to say it out loud, afraid of rejection or even humiliation.  Does knowing that their thoughts can be deleted online give them a feeling of reassurance?  I've been wondering if the internet is the cause for not much social interaction.  If maybe, they had at one point been different, had more friends, not been afraid to speak up.  Or is it just a cycle?  These people become isolated because of the internet, then have nowhere to turn to but the online world.  We all think the same thing, these people must have so much time on their hands, don't they have something better to do?  I guess the answer is no, and that this is what they do with their time.  They have adapted to their lonely lifestyles, but found a way to still be listened to.