On “Welcome to ‘Electronic Cafe International’: A Nice Place for Hot Coffee, Iced Tea, & Virtual Space”

This essay is another interesting study of the ideas of telepresence and virtual space. Particularly interesting is the insight provided on the effect that this technology has on the way we as human beings interact with one another. While covering some old ground, the essay commented on many new facets of this technology. Among these, the increased familiarity allowed by not being physically in the same space as others, but also exploring the duality of this mindset in that individuals are still disturbed by the violation of their image in virtual space. Also intriguing, was the promising use of this technology to bring disparate groups of people together, allowing them to resolve long-standing conflicts and to dissolve old prejudices. Finally, it should be noted that while the authors take a somewhat anti-corporate stance, it was indeed large companies that brought the full extent of their ideas to fruition.