PS--talking to people who give no non-verbal cues? It's called the Internet, actually, which is one factor in the frequency of flame wars.

Whereas, for some of us, it allows us to open up more. I can't imagine discussing in person my emotional reactions to things as I sometimes do here. At least, not to anyone I hadn't known for years! In person, my face tends to reflect my physcial reality (pain, stiffness, tension-- all part of fibromyalgia) rather than my emotional reality. People often read me as being mad at them when I just want the fatigue to go away so I can concentrate on what they are saying. OTOH, I do spend a lot of time annoyed at other people. Just not when they think I am.

ObB7: Avon's diary would consist of 4 legible words: Vila, shut it NOW! The rest would be in a complex code that would be the nearest thing to unbreakable. In that diary would be his comments on the fashion sense of the others, including "I wore that red-lobster thing today, and you know, none of them even smiled. No sense of irony in haute couture, why do I waste my time trying to amuse them." However, if he sent letters, emails, etc. to Anna, I can picture him getting much more romantic in writing than in person. Also, if he ever decided to approach Cally, he might try leaving a note at her console and see if she would look at *him* after reading it.

Blake, OTOH, would prefer to interact in person whenever possible.