But the underlying thought pattern isn't a mistake or flaw. It's a perfectly reasonable baseline assumption that's hardwired into our brains for good reason. When you travel to the Sahara and you assume that it's not going to rain, you will sometimes be mistaken. But that doesn't mean the assumption is a mistake.

But if you see it is raining and you are getting wet (you see the celebrity through the tv and know they can't hear you back), it is likely a mistake to think it isn't raining because you are traveling in the Sahara.

The assumption can be a mistake if you have more information.

I would say that is still applicable and valid. like any huristic, there is opportunity for abuse, but this isn't new.

I think what the huristic gets at is the idea of like mindedness and similarity.

It would be interesting to explore the opposite effect, whee the information shared is hostile or unrelatable. Would people still feel more understood or less?

What would the reaction be if the information shared was "I am from a hostile tribe and hate people like you"