http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYIL0FZoUCo

In “Virtual Love” by Iono Allen, a metaphorical story about online relationships is told. A man is fascinated by a miniature ballerina and dances next to her while her key is wound and she dances quite mechanically. While they share this common interest in dancing, they cannot communicate with one another; not only is there no dialogue exchanged, but there is a clear glass barrier between them, meaning the avatar (representing a human) cannot physically interact with the ballerina, as she is not tangible to him. When he finally disappears out of the realm, the ballerina finally realizes her virtual agency and comes to life, but it is too late, as she knocks the glass over. While this glass layer (representing a computer screen) breaks, the human element is unfortunately gone, and the ballerina is left broken and alone. The virtual world and the avatar’s “real” world collide, meaning that despite that layer and contrast of virtual vs real, someone was still hurt; the love was not mechanical, it was real. Essentially, this tragic story is successful in conveying its original message, and the creator’s topophilia (“the love of the environment, and in a virtual world, one’s perception, values, attitudes, and experiences of space and place”) is apparent (Landay online reading).