We perceive the universe around us in a certain way. So our interactions with others are shaped. Over the internet, that perception is mostly descriptive. Via the text we read on web pages which are mostly static. But text also when we communicating dynamically with others. Instant messages, chat etc.

When two people talk, they use much more than words to communicate. There's the tone of voice. The way they breathe. The way they move, position themselves. Body language if you will.

With text alone, there are so many ways in which our interpretation can deviate from what the other party meant when writing it. Exponentially so for one as myself, who never use smilies. Often it can escalate conversations because the subtleties of body language are hidden to us "between the lines".

I not quite sure now we got to it but we started using sound...

And I don't mean talking instead of typing. Just having a sound channel open.

Just hearing the sound of the other typing. And odd giggle or a muffled snort. The general background noise of life sometimes thousands of kilometres away.. I find it adds something special. Or rather makes the obvious less obvious. There are far too many things we take for granted as it is.

It is said that the sense of hearing the one sense you can't readily turn off. ...Along with touch I guess. You can guess a lot of what is happening around you from sound alone. At a computer you don't really use you eyes for anything else than reading. You're pretty much not moving around so that removes touch. Likewise for smell and taste. So what if you used your ears?

like blind people developing a sixth sense from concentrating on their sense of hearing alone.

or like those BDSM practice where there is some sensory deprivation to enhance others....