The internet has made people who are geographically distant socially connected.

 

Does this augur well for society as a whole ?

It makes us less likely to bomb some of them, and more likely to bomb others. The net effect may well be zero.

It makes us less likely to bomb some of them, and more likely to bomb others. The net effect may well be zero.

 

Sadly, this seems to be the outcome... far from a Utopian society or anything idealistic.

It wasn't intended to be. Since it was arguably initiated by the US Department of Defense, we seem to have made slightly more peaceful use of it than could have been the case. the DoD never expected so many kittens.