>>14If I was more certain we're on the same grounds, I would go into why I don't even think these earlier forms of communication were worth the time.
My sentiments aren't necessarily restricted to the digital age, nor are they new.
“We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate... We are eager to tunnel under the Atlantic and bring the old world some weeks nearer to the new; but perchance the first news that will leak through into the broad flapping American ear will be that Princess Adelaide has the whooping cough.” -- Thoreau
But instead I probe on this: what is a friendship?
Keep a friendship alive through these methods... for what?
Is it to
>>7...[find] a quasi-fulfillment in talking about the water for the hundredth time[?]
Even with letters, continual talk of water makes it awfully hard to swim with one another, which, I find at least, to be the essence of relationships.
If one thinks that merely talking to a person is enough for you, please continue to try then.
In my experience you will feel MORE alone in the end, if that is another purpose of friendship.
What is a friendship? Through your answer you'll understand if online ones are possible.