For all of you who, like me, spend too much time online: apparently, chat is a very effective way to get to know someone.

I mean, duh. Writing is a good way to get to know someone. When people write, they often say things they wouldn't say irl. This is handy. Talking is a good way to get to know someone. Chat combines the two. Getting to know someone is good. Basing whether you like someone on what they have to say rather than an initial assessment of "hot or not" tends to make for longer-lasting relationships.

Also, people who can write are sexier than people who can't.