[rossdavidh]

First of all, the answer to your question is "yes". Secondly, I think the inherent low-bandwidth nature of online communication, is going to make it hard to replace. Third, one aspect of conversations IRL, is that they are NOT taking place on the computer, where you work (for many jobs). This very fact, is important psychologically. The fact that any online alternative is taking place in the same medium (staring at a screen) as work, will make it difficult to avoid either: 1) too much distraction to get work done, or 2) too little "reason" to go there, to have spontaneous conversations

So, it sounds like I'm being very negative, but if you manage to find a way around these problems, it would be an impressive feat of both technology and psychology. Good luck!

[happycipher]

Thanks for the feedback, it's very help and constructive! Regarding the 3rd point about screen fatigue on the computer, would a lower bandwidth (ie phone call or audio), help mitigate that issue? Although lacking non-verbal body cues, I have found 1:1 phone calls to be somewhat nice for long calls, usually bc I'm hands free (but unsure how it would apply in a short spontaneous conversation).

Again, thanks for your thoughts!