The barriers that keep people out of the mainstream community are subtle.
Exclusion: Finding a rule to reduce or to prevent participation.
Exploitation: Making sure their resources of money, time and energy are fully used.
Distancing: Quiet social exclusion: Not acknowledging, not speaking to them.
Hierarchy: Using position or authority to keep people in their place.
The four methods of keeping people out listed above affects the health status of the victims and that leads to early death.
In particular the lack of social status affects access to material resources, to education and to health care. The key barrier to inclusion is self disqualification. People who feel that they are undeserving.
The mainstream society is blissfully unaware, because they themselves don't suffer in this way.
Each of us plays a part in shaping the future. We have the choice of using the Internet to help us to be better connected to the world and to make better informed decisions.
- We would be better connected to the world if:
- We made better use of available information.
- We took to opportunity to keep in touch with people we know.
- We were more adventurous in getting to know new people online.
- We engaged more in online debates of topics of interest.
- We looked actively for opportunities to co-operate online.
We all have the option of finding new online friends and colleagues. Good use of this network would allow us to reassess the world we know and to improve our understanding.


