Computers can help make and break relationships. In the 80′s we got Weird Science that saw the fantasies of teenager come alive in the form of the stunning. But that’s just fantasy right? Well it seems not any more.
More and more of us are falling for someone we know only through some form of virtual contact. traditionaly news groups bulletin boards, and email now its easier then aver to have a virtual flirt with messenger. But it seems the potential for a virtually real relationship doesn’t stop there.
Recently it has been reported that a man’s relationship in virtual world Other Life has resulted in the end of his real world marriage. His wife has filed for divorce on the grounds of him having an affair.
It’s easy to understand how ass humans we can get so much out of a relationship via computer. It’s a bit like the way we love our dogs. A dog doesn’t really love you. We simply project love onto the dog and in our own twisted manipulative minds we like to believe its bouncing back. As humans we are needy.
Using online tools to interact with your illegitimate love interest can be dangerous. It was back in 1995, working at Online Magic, London’s greatest online new media agency, that I saw my sparring partner Jim clutch his face gasping.
Clutching your face and gasping is the first thing you do when you are no longer fucking your computer but your computer is fucking you.
Alas poor Jim was having an affair. It transpired that whilst his love interest existed on terra firma he liked to communicate with her via email. This is an important lesson kids. Always check the email address before you click send. On a slightly shaky Monday morning poor Jim received an email from his girl and being excited like he was, he failed to check the header or the sender. Jim wrote back enthusiastically saying how great the weekend had been with his semi-digital squeeze pouring out his heart and declaring much love. Caught up in the moment he signed his love bunny signature and clicked reply.
Jim of course was very surprised by the next email he received.
I quote “Dearest Susie,, what a fantastic weekend, the more time I spend with you the more my heart yearns for you… and so on ”
Had Jim sent the email to himself? No kids!
Jim had replied to all on the newsgroup that he subscribes to, other subscribers included his digital squeeze, most of friends and his wife. Well done Jim.
That day Jim learned that making up via email is a damn site harder than breaking up. Jim we had our differences but I remember you fondly.
Next week we are going to look at how sending pictures of your erect member to women in America can get you free rides around the world.