> The very fact that people from around the world can meet so easily virtually today is in itself a value regardless of whether it's better to meet in person.

So the standard reply to this is because we are fine tuning our meetups we are missing out on serendipity.

Travelers stay in touch with home so much they don't need to meet people.

We are connected on the bus and at a restaurant such that we are not pushed to meet people.

Then when we go to the fine matched event there is too much pressure to make friends.

I would say I'm the same, I'd need harder evidence that we are not getting lonelier.

Without a doubt we are changing, so it is troubling we don't know for sure if it's better or worse, I doubt such a big change is neutral.