Both modes of transportation, though, get you there, and cars command some obvious advantages of their own. If there is a snowstorm or you are sick with the flu, not very mobile or afraid of the streets, you may not make it to your local country store or senior center. But you can always log on. When a car does something you thought only a horse could do, like inspire affection, for instance, it is surprising. One essential characteristic of communities is that they are largely self-policing.
Real communities minimize the role of the state, the police and the courts by relying on gossip.
You know which store to avoid and who is likely to repair your roof on time because of a subtle system that rates and updates reputations through offline chatter. Online communities also need to find ways to do this. So each party is keen to know the other's reputation. After auctions or trades, both sellers and buyers are asked to rate one another. As a result, each participant acquires a score that reflects the number of positive and negative comments received.