Open Sky, Part 3

"From now on, distancing prevails over nuptial abduction; as, with teleconferencing, what counts above all is the separation, the putting asunder of face-to-face parties; touch, physical contact between partners, being no longer the go so much as the rejection of the other person"
-Paul Virilio

In part three of his book, Virilio discusses sexuality on the internet and how it has diverted humans from relationships with one another and disconnected us from physical relationship with other people. I think this is a shocking reality that we are faced with the internet, not just sexually but relationally. With the internet and global media, despite the fact that we are members of this "global city," we are divorced from real relationship with one another, sexual and emotional alike, by being removed from their physical presence.

Once again, Virilio is onto a good idea, but takes it a few steps too far. I don't think virtual reality or sexuality on the internet is going to ever replace the physical drives of human beings. Sexuality on the internet does not threaten reproduction, and by doing so, threaten the continuity of the human race. Marriage will continue to be an institution regardless of the effects of the internet, and we do not need to worry that "the only societies left to ensure the continuation of the human race will be those that are underdeveloped and, worse, 'media'-deprived."