The Virtual Continues To Wrap Its Slimy Fingers Around The Real

Two news articles:

A Japanese woman is reported to have been jailed for either 'murdering' or 'divorcing' her virtual avatar's husband in a virtual world (the game Maple Story?). Although when you read the story it appears that she was really jailed for illegal computer access by logging in with her 'virtual' husband's identity.

Two Dutch teens were convicted of theft of virtual property after coercing a younger teen to 'part ways' with some virtual loot. Basically, griefers get community service. Half of the net's population shudders as they realize they could be next.

Speaking of the virtual impacting the real, Charlie Kaufman's Synedoche opens this weekend (his directing debut - Review) .