This is how we lose it all.

The world of the internet has made us more connected, and yet more wary of connections. (See anyone under 25 freak out about an unexpected phone call).

It was a few years ago I saw someone say the difference between the 1950s and now was the reaction to hearing the doorbell ring.

1950s: Ooh, I wonder who that could be?

Now: WHO THE HELL IS THAT?!

Any unanticipated contact, even from someone you know, feels like an imposition. The drop-in? Forget it.

Much like people in the 1950s were happy to have their address and phone number shared with everyone in their city, in a big fat book that was delivered every year, while now such information sharing is called “doxxing”. We have our guard up against anyone finding us, even as we put more of our lives online for others to see.

But of course people in the 1950s hadn't already had 10 people at their door that day, lying about who they were and trying to pull a scam.

Psychologically, if not literally, that's where we all are now.

the prompt was “an internet scammer”.