Authorities in Delaware recently reported that a woman from North Carolina tried to kidnap her former virtual boyfriend who lives in Delaware. Although their relationship was born in Second Life, the most famous virtual world, the attempted kidnap happened in the real world.
The story, which was reported by CBS 3 in Claymont, Delaware, was receiving major coverage in cyberspace over the weekend. The referenced story includes video reporting from the scene. Here's an excerpt:
"The pair apparently met online in "Second Life." A virtual relationship began between the victim, whose character was a Lion, and Jerrigan, whose online persona was said to be a virtual woman. When the two met in reality several months ago, police said the victim ended the relationship, sending Jernigan into a downward spiral.
In the beginning of August, Jernigan allegedly drove to the victim's
Why do I mention this story? There is a growing debate online regarding the real life relevance of actions which occur in cyberspace. On one sideline - those who view virtual worlds as fun playgrounds where actions don't count in the real world, at least in terms of the law. In many circumstances this makes common sense, such as when people play online games like Grand Theft Auto. Take for example this article entiled, "Do Real World Laws Apply in Virtual Worlds?" from earlier this year, which quotes many legal scholars:
"... the law, in most cases, pertains only to physical acts, not virtual ones. Thus, virtual theft, virtual murder and virtual rape are quite different under the law than real theft, murder and rape -- no matter how upset it makes the "victim." In most cases, Kerr concludes, the real world law would not be applicable."
On the other sideline are those who say "not so fast." Consider the Business Week article, "Virtual Exchanges Get Real." In this case, "Linden Dollars" were stolen from Second Life stock exchanges. So what's the problem? Linden Dollars can be exchanged for real dollars just like the British Pound Sterling or Euros. In this case, the equivalent of $10,000 was missing.
Meanwhile states like Missouri have set up offices in Second Life where avatars represent real workers recruiting real people for real jobs in the real world. Companies like IBM have set up virtual headquarters online and meet with real-world customers in a variety of ways. This is clearly more than just a big game. There are huge advantages and big wins for governments who enter into virtual worlds, but who makes the rules? More importantly, how are they enforced?
These are just a few of the tough questions that will need to be answered in the coming years as virtual worlds and the real world merge together in news ways. One thing is clear to me, just as this woman tried to kidnap her ex-virtual boyfriend, more and more actvities happening in virtual worlds will spill-over to real life, and visa versa. Recent reactions of shock to this incident will seem strange to people five or more years from now.
In my view, virtual world actions do count in the real world - whether all of the laws count or not. Our character, reputations and relationships can be helped or put at risk by online actions - just like your "Google rep."
No doubt, much of what is going on in cyberspace is just for fun and games, but increasingly we're discussing serious virtual business issues with real consequences. Virtual integrity is linked to real-world integrity in more ways than most currently realize.
What's your opinion?
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