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I think one thing people like about online communities is that everyone is approachable. If you go into a coffee shop and start chatting with a stranger it could get weird. Online, you can put your opinion or comment out there and others are free to engage you, and vice versa. It gives individuals who might not be comfortable conversing in social situations the chance to talk to lots of people about lots of topics. I'm not sure its a great surrogate for 'real' friends (I don't think anyone is going to take their laptop to the movies with them), but at least its an outlet to say what's on your mind and know that someone is listening.