Our dreams were taken from us and all we have are online spaces

I think online spaces are not real "third spaces" of society. A third space is not one of work or distinct leisure (i.e., theme park, beach) where people gather informally, spontaneously, and on equal footing to exchange ideas, build relationships, and foster community. True third spaces like cafés, parks, or local bars allow for unstructured, serendipitous social interaction that isn’t mediated by algorithms, profit motives, or rigid digital boundaries. In contrast, most online spaces today are curated, commercialized, and polarized environments that amplify existing divisions rather than bridging them. They mimic social connection but rarely replicate the sense of shared presence, trust, and mutual discovery that defines an authentic third space.