online dating : the culture of romance

The virtual space (internet/online) opens a window to numerous possibilities to finding friendship, distant family, people of the same culture and interests, people of the same religion, and also love. Online dating sites are hugely successful, no matter how old, or how big/small, short/tall, the virtual space breaks boundaries and allows those not as confident to put themselves out there, in a quest to find love. Although online matchmaking sites like matchmaking.com are quite popular, I believe the most influential are fantasy games and chat rooms. Fantasy games in the virtual world, for example Second life, are as I said before boundary breakers, it is all about choice, and because of the wall that the virtual world puts up, the choice to be who you want to be is quite appealing. You can be who you want to be, choosing every little detail of your image, to your job, house and car, your number of girlfriends/boyfriends, and where you live. The only thing that truly sticks is your voice. Some even so so far as too marry online. There is a huge element of imagination that goes on in virtual places, imaging ones fantasy in particular. Sure relationships can be and are formed online with other people but how good can you know someone without meeting them or even before meeting them. The virtual space leaves alot to the imagination, and questions the issue of trust. How much do you trust the person you are talking to or seeing a virtual image of? This is how paedophiles, rapists, cyber bullies, make their imprints, but for a lucky few they find love. So I say if your looking for love, and you've been looking for a while then why not try a matchmaking site just to 'check it out', but be careful as those who say they are something, could turn out to be nothing.