@Dianora
Thanks for your reply!
I believe you are right in that I largely referred to social media as its most recent iteration, this hyperkinetic means of interaction we have today. I do not think, however, that detracts from the argument that be it through Usenet or IRC (or, more broadly, the Internet) we are now more connected than ever before.
I guess a corollary question might be - are we benefiting more than we are risking/paying, when it comes to individuality in the age of the Internet and its transformation in social media? the construction and maintenance of the self?

Would love some nice articles on the subject if anyone has any in mind.

I did not meant to analyse social media from the user > producer > client > economic perspective, but I totally get your point. Not sure if we have to pay to get what we want, though. #mastodon has shown us a possible way to control that "capital".