Why Are We Vicariously Living Through Our Computers ?

I'm not sure this is living vicariously.  This is a form of human interaction, and even though we're on a computer, it is just another way to communicate.  All forms of electronic communication require some sort of medium, be it written words on a screen, spoken words on a CD, or a physical presence on a video tape.  The computer is just another device that helps us communicate over long distances with each other. 

It can seem a bit impersonal since we don't always see the person we're talking to, and also because we time shift to when we happen to be online.  But text based communication has an interesting quality in that it frees us from any visual impressions of each other (both good and bad) and let's us understand each other based on what we're saying, rather than how we might look. 

I myself, wouldn't find school children needing help with their homework in my daily life.  But on BlurtIt it's both convenient and fun.  We find people online that we would never meet otherwise.  After all, where else would I find a Bifmeister?

One reason I see for the ease of living through these infernal machines is the ability to log off or turn it off and whatever problems were there are gone and we have complete control of whether we want to return and face what is going on or just escape for good. A far cry from real life.

I agree, however I only get on the computer after everything around the house is done, and what time I am on here is the only time I am on the computer... Before blirtit I just checked my mail and got off. It is much easier to make friends online they are not judging you on looks or money.