He knows how important family ties and hometown roots are to a person. He came from a small town in Wyoming to go to write for the Wall Street Journal. He appreciates the use and technology provided by email and virtual communities. They truly have a virtual community from their perspectives. Science magazine had an article written by Amitai Etzioni and Oren Etzioni that included various support for the virtual community.
Communities can evolve across national borders and time zones.
They encompass individuals who are homebound because of illness, age or handicap. The virtual community can be a major asset to a persons life if they are one of those whom are homebound, or can not get out into their neighborhood, or do not have any neighbors to get to know. This is a major consideration and lifestyle question for those people. They also believe that both the virtual and traditional communities have their strengths and weaknesses. He has seen the virtual community come alive and really work in one place.