[lm28469]

Anecdata: the less time I spend on my phone/computer the more social I get. Everything interesting in my life so far happened organically when I went out of my comfort zone or when I wasn't expecting it.

> How can we use technology to remove some of the work in facilitating these ... and make us less lonely.

I don't think we need more tech to solve this issue, just go out, talk to people. Online communities help shut-ins to stay shut-ins, not to open up. It gives you a sense of being part of a community but it's not anywhere close to the real deal. Anything more complete/complex than meetup.com is already too much.

Use the web to find a local DnD / movie / wood working / whatever club, then switch off your computer and go there.