In so many ways, cyberspace mirrors the real world. 15 Others buy and sell products. Still others look for friendship, or even love. Unlike the real world, however, your knowledge about a person is limited to words on a computer screen. Identity (身份) and appearance mean very little in cyberspace. 16 So even the shyest person can become a chat-room star. Usually, this “faceless” communication doesn’t create problems. Identity doesn’t really matter when you’re in a chat room discussing politics or hobbies and it makes the Internet a great place for exciting conversation. Where else can so many people come together to cha about their interests? 17 They’re looking for serious love relationships. Is cyberspace a good place to find love? That answer depends on whom you ask. Some of these relationships actually succeed. Others fail miserably.
Supporter of online relationships claim that the Internet allows couples to get to know each other. Personal appearance doesn’t get in the way. But critics of online relationships argue that no one can truly know another person in cyberspace. Why? 18 Internet users can carefully make their words fit whatever image they want to give. In a sense, they’re not really themselves. All of this may be fine if the relationship stays in cyberspace. 19 With so many unknowns, it’s easy to let one’s imagination “fill in the blanks”. This leads to disappointment when couples meet in person. So, before looking for love in cyberspace, remember the advice of Internet pioneer
