Reality Check.....

Just because someone is doing something or making something in the virtual world does not necessarily mean it is real. It might be happening and other people might see it happening, but is it real?



It may feel real to the person who is engaging in the activity but it only feels real because they have a personal connection. Yes others may acknowledge its presence; they may interact with it and even form a bond with it but is it real? No it is happening but it is not real, it is hyper real.

In the virtual world for example eBay, you buy an item, you pay for it, and then you receive the item. In this virtual world yes there is something real happening. But in a virtual world like second life where you are able to date people, get married, plan a wedding, buy a dress, buy a car, it is happening but it’s not real. You may develop a personal bond with your cyber baby, cyber marriage and cyber items but in the end you’re not physically interacting with them, you cannot actually use them, it’s just like a game, except you control every step of what happens and you can change what happens, that is the only difference. Apart from the fact that you spend real money for things that you will not physically be able to own. Which brings me to ask the question, why?

Why is it that people take part in second life? Is it because it is so easy to control everything in your virtual life, are people just looking for a place to escape their hectic lives or simple looking for happiness? There are many reasons as to why. I see it as an outlet to let loose and be able to take risks without any consequences. However there maybe emotional and financial consequences, your feelings may get hurt and you may become bankrupt but nonetheless you’re not taking any physical risks, this is what makes virtual worlds attractive.