> (until I get murdered by a stranger!)

It's much more likely that you'll be murdered by someone you have a close realtion with.

(Apart from being a bit snarky, it's also true, and leads (back) to:)

> I think just talking to people you meet at random will probably be a better solution.

It is. (Speaking from experience)

That said, one also get to know people online - from irc to games. I don't see any reason why a new "meet strangers" social network couldn't work. But if a majority of its users can't motivate themselves to talk to random people they meet - chances are the network will be coopted for some other agenda than "making new friends". Like "have more one night stands". And while sex is a healthy human activity, meeting people with the aim to become friends need a form of level playing field, and mutual intention.

Fighting off one unwelcome sexual advance every now and then is part of the human condition - but having to do it every time you "meet" someone, it gets old really fast.

Which is probably one reason people can meet in games: while people game for many aspects of gaming - most do it to relax and have fun.