I forgot to bring this up earlier, but people have been chatting online since the early-to-mid-80's with Bulletin Board Systems (BBS). Something like what this board is based on! 
"You need me. You wouldn't be much of a hero without a villain. And you do love being the hero, don't you. The cheering children, the swooning women, you love it so much, it's made you my most reliable accomplice." -- Lex Luthor to Superman, Question Authority, Justice League Unlimited
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