An alcoholic gives up vodka and muses whilst sipping whiskey

So Im now nearly 24hrs without twitter and my major reflection is summed up in the title. I am clearly plugged into digital networks to a huge degree, and stopping using one of my favourites in isolation is, for want of a better phrase, a bit daft.

So things I'm missing about twitter:
-Being able to hop into an alternative mental reality whenever I want, with some of the greatest people I know
-Having news that Ive tailored to my interests. Yes I want to know the minutiae of that and what she is eating.
-Being able to clown around with people that don't mind it
-Heated debate about random yet vital ideas
-Being able to express myself about anything I want to people who choose to listen.

All of the above won't be much surprise to any one who's used social media for a while of course. . .

And it turns out I'm not alone in considering a non-religious religious rite. . .

The question I'm musing on now is how do I differentiate the connections between my mind and technology which are social media and those which aren't. Today Ive used at least three 1990s web technologies for functions I normally use twitter for. Im still connecting with many people to develop relations. Does the use matter rather than the tools?

Id never go as far as trying to live without the internet these days, any more than Id try to live without leaving my house.

(And I'm deliberately using the spelling for bourbon rather than scotch whisky before *he* moans)