I agree with you OP. This would also solve the problem with the random group invites from RMT because if we could use it the RMT would need to be near us to invite us again..so at least part of the problem solved. I am also not sure why this would take away the social aspect of the game. People could still spam the say chat, people could still post in their LS and chat with their friends. What exactly takes away from the social experience if someone cant be found in the search function? I mean this would be an option not something forced on everyone.

I am just not sure what exactly is bad about this suggestion? Bad for new players? Why? I was a new player once too and never used the search function to just find random players..and its not like they couldn't talk to anyone anymore. They could still send a tell to anyone near them and the newbie chat exists as help too. (Interesting how some are alway so snarky in threads but call other immature really fast.)