That may not be the only reason that didn't get off the ground as a movement. Movements have existed before the internet. However, in a different way the internet may matter: a world with internet and modern computers may make something like a superintelligent AI more viscerally plausible as a possibility.
Movements certainly have existed before the net, but generally where there is a high enough density of potential members to organise via word of mouth and print media. With the possible exception of a few places such as Silicon Valley, I don't think that exists in this case.
I do agree with you that in many ways superintelligence seems more plausible given modern technology, but OTOH people are cautious after the AI winters.
[Contains No HPMOR Spoliers]
[http://hpmor.com/notes/119/](http://hpmor.com/notes/119/)
I was at first confused by Eliezer's requests at the end of Ch. 119. I missed his Author's Notes, which his explains his rationale behind them. I thought I would share in case others missed it, especially because readers on LessWrong may have more elite or broader networks to help Eliezer achieve his new goals.
Eliezer has several other projects he might be interested in. Learn more by clicking the link.