My experience is pretty close to yours. I’ve gotten to know a few people via internet fora, and learn a lot. I got the opportunity to join a city commission as a direct result of participating on Nextdoor of all places.

There’s also another category — people like you! I usually stop and read your posts in the same way my dad would a columnist in the paper years ago.

I think the author of the post was looking for something in the wrong place. Which is all good!

Nextdoor (at least here) is satanic, and still I'm thrilled that it worked out for you. One of the big drums I'm trying to beat is getting message board nerds into active politics through message boards. Well played!