Virtual Reality

Always seem to be governed by this love we have
For useless,
Twisting,
Our new technology
Oh now there is no sound
For we all live underground

Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity

So, it was recently suggested that I may be better in a 'virtual relationship' than a 'real' one. At first hearing this I was taken aback that someone would want to insult me like that, and then on giving it some thought I wondered, 'what makes a real relationship'?

Aren't all my relationships real by the very virtue that they exist? Is it proximity or locality that makes a relationship more real? I don't think so. Now that I live in Japan and my friends are scattered all over the world, sometimes the only contact I have with them are through e-mail, text or by phone. That doesn't mean they no longer exist to me in a very real way, they existence hasn't become virtual.

All of my relationships, whether it be with friends of family, have merit despite the fact that I can not talk to these people face to face. And what is the value of face to face interaction with someone like me anyway? I'm introverted and somewhat closed, I make no secret of it, that is who I am, people have their faults and people change and overcome their shortcomings given the right impetus. For the moment I am happy to express myself here, in this place, on this blog, because this is as real as anything else in my life. And what I can't say to your face, I can say here or in a letter, there are people who can't say those things at all.

Hhmm.. vague.

Anyway, I found an interesting article that argues my point far more eloquently. Here.