It's funny, when people that I have met the "normal way" find out that I have met A LOT of people, both personally and professionally ONLINE their immediate reaction is,"What if they are psychopaths?!"
Actually, there are ways of checking people out in REAL LIFE before you physically meet.
Also, remember that one can be a TOTAL SICKO if you meet them in REAL LIFE TOO! How easy is it for someone that you meet at school or in the laundromat or in a bar, whatever, to lie about themselves? How do you REALLY know they are who they SAY THEY ARE until you get a little closer to them?....and then, if the person is a wierdo they usually know waaaaaay too much personal stuff about you already and then BAM! You are in a hefty bag.
Online you can chat, there is no "physical distraction", and I have been able to weed out the sickos in as little as a 10 minute IM conversation.
To date I have made MANY professional contacts. I have met about a dozen or so members from elite. Many I keep in contact w/via email or IM and have a very high regard for. Three are very close friends that I see regularly and train with when time allows. One that I have spoken w/via phone and trust implicitely, almost like a father figure. One who is a sweetheart and a true gentleman, a loyal friend. And that is all I am sayin' .......