In so many ways, cyberspace 1 mirrors the real world. People ask for information, play games, andshare hobby tips. Others buy and sell products. Still others look for friendship, or even love.

　　Unlike the real world, however, your knowledge about a person is limited to words on a computerscreen. Identity and appearance mean very little in cyberspace. Rather, a person's thoughts-or atleast the thoughts they type — are what really count. So even the shyest person can become achat-room star2.

　　Usually, this "faceless"communication doesn't create problems. Identity doesn't really matter whenyou're in a chat room discussing politics or hobbies. In fact, this emphasis on the ideas themselvesmakes the Internet a great place for exciting conversation. Where else can so many people cometogether to chat?

　　But some Internet users want more than just someone to chat with. They're looking for seriouslove relationships. Is cyberspace a good place to find love? That answer depends on whom you ask.Some of these relationships actually succeed. Others fail miserably.

　　Supporters of online relationships claim that the Internet allows couples to get to know each otherintellectually3 first. Personal appearance doesn't get in the way4. But critics of online relationshipsargue that no one can truly know another person in cyberspace. Why? Because the Internet givesusers a lot of control over how others view them. Internet users can carefully craft their words tofit whatever image they want to give. And they don't have to worry about what their "nonverbal"communication is doing for their image. In a sense, they're not really themselves.

　　All of this may be fine if the relationship stays in cyberspace. But not knowing a person is a bigproblem in a love relationship. With so many unknowns, it's easy to let one's imagination " fill in theblanks."This inevitably leads to disappointment when couples meet in person. How someoneimagines an online friend is often quite different than the real person.

　　So, before looking for love in cyberspace, remember the advice of Internet pioneer Clifford Stoll: "Life in the real world is far richer than anything you'll find on a computer screen."

　　練習(xí)題：

　　Ⅰ. True or False:

　　The author believes cyberspace is suitable for doing things like:

　　1. asking for information

　　2. playing games

　　3. sharing hobby tips

　　4. buying and selling products

　　5. discussing politics

　　6. looking for friendship, or even love

　　Ⅱ. Question :

　　Why cannot a person know another one through Internet?