It is estimated that 80 per cent of all Internet users would have presence on such virtual world by 2011. The moment high Internet speeds become common in India, many of us will inevitably find our way to worlds like Second Life and There (which also has its own money exchange). While Sandra from LSE tells me that they’re keenly monitoring the process, and warns, “Sometimes people will want to cross the line and forget the reality/fantasy distinction, bringing into their real worlds their virtual selves. This can be, in extreme cases, dangerous for the general well being of the individual and others.” While the Japanese lady learnt this the hard way, let’s remember that virtual lives can be as fun and as complicated as our real lives.
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