Through the Internet, I've developed a strong social network - something I could never do if I had to keep my choice of peers within school grounds.
The Open Access Movement has fought valiantly to ensure that scientists do not sign their copyrights away but instead ensure their work is published on the Internet, under terms that allow anyone to access it.
Even among those who I would not count as 'friends,' I have met many people online who have simply commented on my work or are interested by what I do.
At the end of the day, we have an economy that works for the rich by cheating the poor, and unequal schools are the result of that, not the cause.