Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.
Creativity is always a leap of faith. You're faced with a blank page, blank easel, or an empty stage.
I'm addicted to email, but other than that, there are practical things - being able to buy a book on the internet that you can't find in your local bookshop. This could be a lifeline if you live further from the sources.