it is true.. i just read your post.. and our REAL world as we know it, is bound by, the laws of physics and there is always some limitation, i mean as it is we are only using 10% of our brain.
The internet, is like SPACE, it's like this infinite expanse of nothingness, that we fill and give meaning to, in a sense that makes us, the creators of the new world does it not?

Thx for this post. Will join in today afternoon :) - first there's lunch time.

I actually think people separate the Internet and the "real" world too much. It's a social thing, like separating work from leisure, that does not need to happen. I think the Internet could be so much more if we allow it to enter our lives.

If you are going to try to consider the internet some "other world", or virtual world, you have to take into consideration the damage that will be done. We already know how people with addictive personalities can get caught up in fantasy worlds like World of Warcraft and other online fictional places. By enhancing this, we are just feeding the disease.

If the Internet was to be another world, it would just be a drug. Another drug to let people escape their droll mundane lives. And with any drug they will become so addicted to where they block out reality. Think back to the psychological problems that Dungeons and Dragon caused on the youth. Now, add graphics to that world, 3D, and make it more realistic.

The species "man" is, for lack of a more general term, weak-minded. Most of the population is susceptible to influence from outside sources they "believe" are to be worthy of following. They lack the necessary intellectual means to make deep decisions on their own, and therefor rely on others to guide them, when in fact they are not being guided, but manipulated. This is proven by the existence of religion, and cults around the world. A virtual world would prey on this weakness and exploit it.

The goal of the Internet was always to share information. Trying to replace the real world with a fictitious one is not the answer. The Internet IS a new layer, on top of the existing world, but not a replacement. We should use the Internet to make this world better, regardless of what an artificial world has to offer.

We have already made strides in using the internet to make the world better. The question isn't "Is the Internet the new world", but "How do we use the Internet to make the World better."