Discussion at LnL: Intimacy in Second Life

This past Tuesday, we met at LnL to discuss the topic Intimacy in Second Life. It seems to be easier and easier to accept that one can develop a strong level of intimacy with someone in a virtual world using only technological means. In RL intimacy may be roughly defined as a close interpersonal relationship involving an emotional and a physical connection. In Second Life most of those present thought that it was all about the emotional side but not only cybersex and that the physical aspect would have to be present in RL sooner or later for a full relationship. As in SL there seem to be less restrictions, the group thought that this may be one of the reasons why relationships in SL are shorter and less stable. One of the most important issues in an intimate relationship is trust. All agreed that anonimity adds a factor of unbalance to intimacy in SL. Most defended that in many ways for many people SL filled an unmet need for intimacy in RL, becoming an alternative, hopefully a vehicle to intimacy and not a substitute. The topic of intimacy in a virtual world is both complex and intriguing. In a Lounge filled with people (extra seats had to be rezzed!) it was certainly a very interesting discussion!