Saturday, November 15, 2008

Virtual Lives Intersect Real Lives

Huh.

A British couple who married in a lavish Second Life wedding ceremony are to divorce after one of them had an alleged “affair” in the online world.

Amy Taylor, 28, said she had caught husband David Pollard, 40, having sex with an animated woman. The couple, who met in an Internet chatroom in 2003, are now separated.

“I went mad—I was so hurt. I just couldn’t believe what he’d done,” Taylor told the Western Morning News. “It may have started online, but it existed entirely in the real world and it hurts just as much now it is over.”

Second Life allows users to create alter egos known as “avatars” and interact with other players, forming relationships, holding down jobs and trading products and services for a virtual currency convertible into real life dollars. iReport.com: Share your stories from Second Life

Taylor said she had caught Pollard’s avatar having sex with a virtual prostitute: “I looked at the computer screen and could see his character having sex with a female character. It’s cheating as far as I’m concerned.”

[...]

Taylor is now in a new relationship with a man she met in the online roleplaying game World of Warcraft.

(8) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1019 hrs
Culture + Technology

  1. Some people need to get a life.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2008 at 1059 hrs


  2. I’ve heard it all now ..... Just when you think your predicament in life is bad,  in walks the retards.  Makes me realize my life isn’t so bad after all.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2008 at 1127 hrs


  3. Wow…I got nuthin’ else….just, “Wow”.

    Posted by Steve on November 15, 2008 at 1228 hrs


  4. Whack jobs!!

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2008 at 1313 hrs


  5. Some people need to get a life. What do you mean, Dan - they each had two!

    I love these two things, also from the story: “The couple’s real-life wedding in 2005 was eclipsed by a fairy tale ceremony held within Second Life.” and “He never did anything in real life, but I had my suspicions about what he was doing in Second Life.” Gotta keep your “realities” straight, people!

    One word - Dorks!

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2008 at 1316 hrs


  6. It sounds like this couple obviously has some issues, but referring to them as “retards” is really offensive.  I have four special needs kids and that kind of comment seems really juvenile and inappropriate to me. 


    Jody Johnson, MS, LPC

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 15, 2008 at 1640 hrs


  7. Seriously, Jody.  No one is equating this episode to your kids.  I respect (greatly) your willingness to take on such a challenge with your children.  That said, attain a grasp on what is and is not an insult.

    Posted by Steve on November 15, 2008 at 1725 hrs


  8. Seriously, who really thinks that chat rooms are innocent places to meet friends??

    Posted by Motorcycle Fairings on November 15, 2008 at 1918 hrs


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