Along with Eli Fennel, wondering how we will separate real from artificial people. I wonder if someone will invent a kind of TSA for proving one’s humanity, some kind of ID that will keep you safe from catfischers etc.
Virtual love has a long record in human history. While reading this fabulous piece, it has popped into my mind the fascinating history of Jaufre Rudel and his "Amor de Lonh" –Love from Afar. He was a 12th-century troubadour who went to the Crusades only to meet Hodierna, a lady he had not seen before and died in her arms. The English poet Algernon Charles Swinburne wrote about that legendary episode in The Triumph of Time. Something similar happened to me with an American writer, whom my Swedish running partner talked to for two long years, like a cunning matchmaker. And the day we finally ran into her, she was sipping her morning coffee and puffing ciggies on a terrace close to the Marina. I could not resist her beauty because I was already in love with her. But she did not have a clue about that. Unlike Jaufre Rudel, I survived and had enough time to convince her to marry me. Luckiest guy in the world!
Yes, I was thinking about love affairs during wars where most of the relationship was by letter… …but at least a real person was on the other end. Congratulations on finding love!
Melissa, your writing always opens up this crazy world for me—compelling and fascinating!
Merci beaucoup, Lisa!
Along with Eli Fennel, wondering how we will separate real from artificial people. I wonder if someone will invent a kind of TSA for proving one’s humanity, some kind of ID that will keep you safe from catfischers etc.
Virtual love has a long record in human history. While reading this fabulous piece, it has popped into my mind the fascinating history of Jaufre Rudel and his "Amor de Lonh" –Love from Afar. He was a 12th-century troubadour who went to the Crusades only to meet Hodierna, a lady he had not seen before and died in her arms. The English poet Algernon Charles Swinburne wrote about that legendary episode in The Triumph of Time. Something similar happened to me with an American writer, whom my Swedish running partner talked to for two long years, like a cunning matchmaker. And the day we finally ran into her, she was sipping her morning coffee and puffing ciggies on a terrace close to the Marina. I could not resist her beauty because I was already in love with her. But she did not have a clue about that. Unlike Jaufre Rudel, I survived and had enough time to convince her to marry me. Luckiest guy in the world!
Yes, I was thinking about love affairs during wars where most of the relationship was by letter… …but at least a real person was on the other end. Congratulations on finding love!