After analyzing in the previous chapter various types of activities, I turn now to examine a major activity in cyberspace, that is, cyberflirting. This activity is valuable in the sense that it provides great pleasure to its participants. I begin the discussion by examining the crucial element of both flirting and cyberlove, that is, conversation.

Online conversations

Online affairs consist of conversations having elements common to both gossip and profound types of non-purposive conversations.

Typical gossip is an intrinsically valuable activity whose value lies in the activity itself. Gossip is idle, relaxing, and enjoyable talk; it involves being playful and attaching little importance to the given subject. Gossip is typically relaxing and effortless and, like games, often relieves people's daily tensions. One reason for the relaxing nature of gossip is that it enables us to talk about what is really on our minds. People indulging in gossip do not want to ponder deeply on the content or consequences of what they say. Sometimes gossip seems to be talk for the sake of talking. When people are involved in serious, practical, and purposive talk, they are not gossiping, since gossip is idle frivolous talk.