virtual world/chat rooms

well.. i've never been big on chat rooms of any sort. not that i'm against it or anything, but i just haven't found it to be fun. i suppose it's not always a practicle thing. i use an instant chat at the moment to talk to friends and family that are interstate. but i suppose that is just the thing. these worlds are purly for your social life. thats what it seems to me to be for, a social life. and that's probly the whole reason why i don't like it. that and you're not always too sure who you're talking to. you can tell alot about non-verbal behaviours, tone of vioce and just planly what they look like. i think i prefer that secruity. as for virtual worlds versus instant chat. it seems they are just making their social lives into games. its like if you were to just sit and chat to one person it could get boring. but if you went out let's say ten pin bowling, you can have a chat while doing something recreational. i think all these virtual worlds are starting to supplement social lives and healthy social interaction. no wonder the world is beginning to become obese