The ride gives a thrill, but it's a safe thrill. You can watch Sean Patrick walk around naked, or eat pizza or smoke cigarettes, but there is no chance you'll have an awkward conversation with him. No chance you'll find out you disagree on politics or religion. You'll never have to touch. None of those messy problems real human interaction brings.
Computers can isolate people.
People are spending more time in front of computers instead of interacting with one another. Hoppenstand does not see this as a terribly good thing. People turn inward rather than outward. They become less concerned with their neighbors and more concerned with their own interests. Livecams show all The internet is chockful of pseudo-realities.