love online, actually

It's been awhile since I've posted. But in doing research for my final paper, I have run across a TON of articles about love online.

Some of them are about real human relationships that begin online, as from a dating service or even a chatroom that blossoms into something more. And this is an interesting and rich topic.

But I think it's essentially the same as "computer dating" of ten years ago (a computer matches up your profile with a compatible one - high tech for the time). And it's more or less a higher-tech version of meeting your perfect mate at the local bar. Or, in prehistoric times, the local cave.

I'm actually more interested in relationships that don't blossom offline. For whatever reason, they're left in the virtual world.

One reason for this might be a physical distance between the people, although if they really want to meet, they often find a way to.

Another reason, one that I find even more fascinating, is that both parties like the relationship just as it is.

Why would they feel that way? I don't know now, but I'm sure I'll find out as I research tangential articles for my paper.