What is real?

We hear people use the terms "RL" and "In World" all the time. Those of us who have been active in any virtual world will no doubt have had a conversation (at least once) about virtual life compared to real life. It's been a hot topic for as long as 3D virtual worlds have been around. Well.., I have an opinion on this.

After spending many years involved with someone online, I have learned many lessons and have had countless discussions about this type of romance. Those people who have never been active in a virtual world will often times quickly dismiss these type of relationships as foolish or unwise. They will say that it's not real. After all ~ how can we be sure who the other person really is?

Yeah, yeah.., we understand this, we get it. Our response to the inexperienced virtual-world-lover is something like, "Yeah, I know.., I know, but you just don't understand." Then the conversation ends with both people rolling their eyes and agreeing to disagree.

So, what is real? I'll tell you what's real!

Real is intimacy. Real is connection. Real is learning about someone. Real is emotions. Real is being open and honest with another person about your life and having them do the same in return.

Maybe we haven't met the other person face-to-face, but does that mean we don't know enough about the other person to feel some type of bond? When you share intimate conversations with another person, this is very real.

When we meet a person at school or at a party or bar, is that person being open and honest about who they are?

Every one of us has met someone and felt nervous and we've put on a front, trying to display what we want that other person to see, what we want that person to believe in who we are. Is this REAL? Are we more open and honest about who we are with strangers in a face-to-face environment as opposed to a virtual environment?

If we meet face-to-face or in a virtual world, sometimes we pretend to be someone we are not and sometimes we're open and honest. Of course every situation is unique, but one thing is for sure ~ when we meet someone who affects us and makes us truly feel something, THAT is very real.

To me, it comes down to terminology. Most people in virtual worlds use two terms: 'virtual life' and 'real life'. I think the latter is an inaccurate term.

As I argued above, I feel that getting to know someone in a virtual world is very real. So, I use these terms:

• Virtual life
• Physical life

It's all real, people.., it's all real. The only difference is, if you're spending time with someone in the same virtual space or in the same physical space.