Stuck in the mud [virtual communities]

As netizens maneuver through an ever expanding web of information, they continually negotiate the duality of their online and physical lives. Increasingly immersive online environments have encouraged the rise of artificial societies. Anonymity, equality, and the ability to interact with everyone from everywhere allow netizens to explore their alter egos through cyberegos. Sociologists and psychologists will debate the merits and dangers of interactions within these virtual communities for a long time. But we don't care, we're just looking for the coolest cyberspots. The article investigates virtual communities and their underlying technologies.