The Internet is Still Scary?

Recently I had a discussion with someone about my research interests. It probably seems like a safe question to ask someone who is getting a PhD. Everyone at least knows that I have to write a a dissertation. So I went into my usual spiel:

"I am interested in how people talk about natural or man-made disasters on Twitter. It's interesting because the conversation is about one single event and yet, people say so much it doesn't seem like just one event. I am interested in the ethos people are trying to create when they communicate their 140 characters - whether it is authentic or performative based on an identity they are actively trying to create."

When I finished my most recent spiel, the person I was talking to said, "Cool." That is a pretty standard response because most people don't really care when they ask the question and they don't really care to learn anymore. They're just being polite.

But in addition to "cool," the most recent person went on to tell me that just doesn't resonate with him because he doesn't go online. He checks his email and Facebook, but he just doesn't "surf."

I say bullshit.

Now I realize that I love the internet a lot more than a lot of people. I depend on it, I live my life on it and I am making my future based on it. But saying that the internet is just not a part of someone's life? That's like the pseudo-intellectuals who say they never watch tv because it wastes time and doesn't really provide intellectual stimulation for them or whatever their myriad of excuses are.

I think it's bullshit and I don't trust them and I kind of don't think they are saying the whole truth.

When will studying communication on the internet be considered fully legit? When will just liking the internet become fully legit?

New dissertation topic?