Interesting article. I think you raise a good point. It is very different having a conversation with a person in front of you vs. a projected image of them (or an idea of who you think they are - or what they stand for).
Similarly, I think that when we are disconnected, we often objectify each other. But, we can reach better understandings of other points of view, and push ourselves forward together, if we talk to one another.
Thanks for giving me something to think about.