I’ve almost never felt “lonely”.

It’s a condition I know nothing about.

Film critic Roger Ebert, a bit of an internet shut-in himself, has read 80,000 comments on his blog. Many, he tells, are from lonely people looking for connection with strangers.

… For days I’ve been reading waves of messages from the lonesome, the shy, the alone, the depressed. Some who live as virtual hermits. Some who have few or no friends. Some who rarely speak with their families. Some who have never dated, or ever had sex. Some who consider it a good day when they never speak to anyone. Some who are sad to be alone. Some who are relieved. Some who can’t do it any other way. …

A meeting of solitudes

He reflects on loneliness in that post, and an earlier one – All the lonely people.

… After all that, Roger’s not sure whether or not the internet actually helps the lonely.