Here is an interesting article on Slashdot about virtual communities (VC’s)past and present, and the rise of corporatism on the Internet. ‘…The new online community may have to draw from some of the most traditional, non-tech elements of society: the water
cooler, the backyard fence, the tavern, the neighborhood park, even the office itself. All of these gathering spots tend to
cement community, forge relationships, provide the human and contextual cues that help people resolve disputes, receive
information,communicate in a civil way, learn new ideas. It is precisely these kinds of one-on-one communications
forums that are missing in so many VC’s…’