Can two people find each other online, date online and become soul mates, fall deeply in love, marry each other online and then actually consummate their love virtually online without ever meeting?

I’m not on an anti-technology rant with my answer here. Obviously, advances in communication give us more ways to be in contact with people than ever before.

That said …

The answer is obviously “no.”

And before you accuse me of being on that anti-technology rant that I told you about, consider “pen pals” that fall in love and marry inmates that have no chance of ever being released. That’s mostly done “analog” (by putting pen to paper). A deceitful prisoner, looking to get as many “pen pals” as possible, will project the image most likely to attract a partner. The free partner will never actually share the same physical space as the prisoner for more than a few supervised moments.

I’m not saying technology is a prison. I’m saying online communications are a highly curated experience, much like letter writing was (and still is).

If you don’t like something about your “presentation,” you can simply edit and filter it till it reflects the image you want to show someone. The final version might be mostly true, but could just as easily be a slight exaggeration to an outright lie in the hands of a talented manipulator.

There are just some things that have to be experienced in person that can’t be replicated. Really getting to know someone is one of those things.

Your warning siren should always go off if you can never actually meet someone you desire in the flesh.