I would argue that the minute you checked back in here to see if anyone had responded to your post - it became a meaningful two way interaction, and you would have received the added stimulus of excitement/gladness (that someone had responded) or disappointment/emptiness (if someone hadn't).

> I question your premise. Are you and I actually communicating right now in an emotionally meaningful, fulfilling way?

I very rarely have that during the 9 hours I'm around people every day at work.

Just because we're not engaging in that way right now has nothing to do with the medium, but the participants and the forum/context in which they are engaging.

My 2$ is that the digital medium doesn't by design take anything away from how meaningful an interaction is. Emotion can be conveyed in a multitude of ways, most of which carry just fine over the internet.

Sure it is. You felt compelled to write a response and to pose the question. It may not be personal, and not very meaningful, but it is communication that you felt some urge to be a part of.