Virtual Intimacy Essay

291 Words2 Pages
Eugene Latona October 4, 2011 Pg 166 Question 3 Virtual Intimacy Virtual intimacy is referred to as an intimate connection over the internet or through a social networking site. Virtual intimacy has the innate ability to “cloak” others, and hide them from real intimacy. But, don’t be fooled, even online love has it’s downsides, according to Theodora Stites. Virtual intimacy allows for different kinds of interaction than in the offline world. One can beg the question, does a Facebook poke allow for the same type of emotion as a real life hug? Every person can have a different answer to this question. One person might say yes, it gives you the same rush of adrenaline and another person might say absolutely not, they are two different feelings and emotions. Online you have the option of being more outgoing than you would be in real life. You also have the option of saying things that you can’t necessarily back up. Some people can be much more “intimately secure” online. They can flirt and say things that they might never be able to say when face to face with a person. This provides for a better “get to know you” atmosphere some might say but on the other hand, when meeting this person in real life they will be meeting a completely different person then the one they were previously talking to. Virtual intimacy, in essence, is a way to be more courageous and hide who you really are. You can assume any type of identity online, either more brave or less brave, therefore enabling you to have different types of intimate situation than in real life. Normally, it’s hard to hide the real you in real
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