I agree, and I also think that the article's claim that the internet is harsher and less helpful is because of this. I've observed that smaller, "exclusive" (or, rather, more obscure) communities are friendlier environments. It also helps to .

So no, I dont agree that the entire internet is a harsher and lonelier place than it was 10 years ago, but the mainstream sites have reached such massive populations that there can be no moderation.