Unless you’ve had your head stuck up your armpit for the past few days I’d be very surprised if you hadn’t heard of the latest Second Life “scandal” (Cue Dusty and the PSB’s..) to hit the real life media.  Sky News seems to relish these kinds of Second Life news stories, have you noticed that? Basically, a couple are getting divorced in real life because the wife discovered the hubby busily canoodling with an avatar in Second Life.  Backtrack a bit here, but they both met in Second Life before meeting in real life and ended up getting wed in RL and SL to boot.Still with me?
Apparently, lawyers are saying they expect to see a rise in such instances, and that really doesn’t surprise me…in fact sorry Sky, but this is old news.
I’m sure most avatars know of people who have embarked upon  relationships in Second Life that have become real life romances…I’ve known of a serial second life dater, who has been married twice in world, twice divorced (bitterly!) and is busily planning his third wedding with his real life missus completely oblivious to it all! I also know of a real life long time married couple who are both in separate Sub/Dom relationships in game with people from across the pond, and they’re happy as larry with it.  They realise these metaversal  relationships are nothing more than fantasy and if anything their shared interest in the game has brought them closer together. All MMO’s involve socialisation, and it’s through this interaction with our fellow avatars that relationships are created that often cross the real and Second Life divide. I’m not just talking sexual relationships here either, true friendships are made within our  virtual world that are equal, if not superior to, relationships with our real life peers. I think it’s human nature…and bear in mind,  are you really falling for the avatar or the person behind it? Regardless of how beautiful or quirky that Neko girl is, it’s your conversations and interactions that make you connect.
As for the argument about virtual worlds causing infidelities well I’d say that in this case and many others they obviously can, BUT you don’t embark on an affair unless there are cracks in a relationship in the first place.  Flirting and harmless banter are one thing, jumping onto a poseball with your legs akimbo is quite another, don’t you think?
I’m sure Second Life will cause divorces, and I’m also sure that joining sports or social clubs and attending gatherings in any variety of different subjects will do exactly the same.  You can meet someone and fall in love regardless of circumstance, so it’s a trend that will continue, and I don’t believe that this couple are actually the first.  Sure, they’re the first to be reported upon, but I think the metaverse has impacted many a relationship, don’t you?

Incidentally, both individuals have moved on, with the ex-wife moving on to WoWwhere apparently she’s met someone new…wonder if it’s one of those new-fangled Death Knights? 🙂

A final thought-have you noticed the pattern that’s developing here? Sky News is obsessed with Second Life, whereas  BBC News is constantly slating World of Warcraft and blaming it for all sorts of social ills, although it would appear that they really rate Eve Online….interesting no?  ( If you’re interested, do a search on the BBC Homepage for both games and look at the articles therein..)