Author: Gary Beck Source: https://www.polseguera.com/writers/writing-408_virtual-living.html Virtual Living Virtual Living is an unpublished collection vitally concerned with the growing frequency of substituting electronic interaction for physical activity.   Future War Cyber warriors defend the nation from sneak attack seated comfortably at computer screens, never face an enemy, never draw blood, will never know traditional battlefields, yet are as vital as combat troops, though not regarded as heroic soldiers.   Gaming Gamers urgent to compete, inadequate to challenges of the real world, strive to win artificial acclaim on safe screens.   Natural Activity Birds don't live vicariously, busy all day gathering food, never hang out playing video games, waste time twittering, except bird talk, sit up all night in front of a screen chatting on the internet but go to sleep as soon as it's dark in the comforting nest for needed rest.   Economic Change We used to go to the bank to deposit money, greeted by tellers courteous, pleasant, who made it easier to accept low interest on hard-earned wages. Now we bank online and there's no consolation for meager returns, automated service.   Individualism The Information Age allows us to march to the beat of a different drum, as long as we purchase the same goods and services as everyone else.