Each unit can be configured several ways.  It can be a client device connected to a bluetooth mobile device, a relay node, or it can be configured with broadband to connect with another gateway to join two distant meshes via the internet.   

 Do you have a link that breaks this all down? I'm really curious but I want to make sure I'm getting good information.  

 TLDR; you're correct, it never connects to the "internet*" 

Most simple, raw-to-raw use case
- one meshtastic device connected to another. Can only message between them
*unless you config it to do so 

 Ok so generally speaking, it's a network that facilitates communication with other network users? So, you have a user identity, or a node identity, and you can have public or private chats with other users of the mesh network?  

 In short, yes 

 Ok, cool. I'm gonna look into it further. It's sounds like fun, and a cool project.  

 Why not just text people ? 

 What fun is that? Building an ad hoc mesh network and talking to other like-minded nerds from across the network is a lot more amusing.  

 I feel like no one would even have one near me and I’ll just be talking to myself lol 

 I've heard that same concern from new Meshtastic users, and many have been pleasantly surprised to find that there are nodes within networking distance from their location. Obviously that's not going to be the case for everyone, but if you live in a populated area, you may be surprised.  

 I just may be surprised 

 Same, I get the principles. But there's so many options, not sure where to start 🤔