‘Online’ and ‘on the line’ are unrelated

Of the five human senses; touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste, only sight can be interfered with by the function of the brain. You can choose not to see by simply closing your eyes. You cannot, however, choose not to feel, smell, taste or hear unless you are brain-dead. It is impossible to decide what one gets to hear as long something is said within earshot and there are no artificial obstructions to the ears’ openings.