John Parry Barlow's essay poses an interesting question. Is communication via the Internet as socially beneficial as face-to-face interactions? The quick and easy answer to the question is no. Internet use and all its distractions have caused an imbalance in real-world social interactions. The informed critique that will be discussed is: “Is there anything in cyberspace? » by John Perry Barlow. The major theme of this short story is how communities have radically changed. Although participation in an Internet community can provide social benefits, it does not replace a physical community of peers. Online communication lacks body language and facial expressions (Barlow). There is no tonal quality to Internet prose. The expression of elation, sadness, and confusion is inherently compromised. Emoticons are symbols, such as "smiley faces", that can be used to represent emotions through online communications. Using emoticons can help add style to text interactions. They fail to integrate unique aspects of personality. A sad face looks the same for everyone online, but it has individual characteristics when it presents itself in "real" life. Several studies have shown that when Internet users are confronted with pure text without emoticons, most people cannot perceive the right intentions of emotion, attitude and attention (Lo). The acronym LOL means laugh out loud. If online interactions are as rewarding as face-to-face interactions, then comedians could broadcast a webcast to an online chat room. Using LOL is the equivalent of someone nonchalantly saying “that’s funny.” There is a lack of personality and uniqueness that people need in social interactions to feel fulfilled. A virtual community is defined...... middle of paper ...... Cyberspace. " Utne.com. Archives Web Specials. Web. April 27, 2011. .Hardie, Elizabeth and Tee, Ming Yi. "Excessive Internet Use: The Role of Personality, Loneliness, and Social Support Networks in Addiction to Internet.” Australian Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society 5.1 (2007): 34-47. Moody, Eric J. “Internet use and its relationship to loneliness” Cyber ​​Psychology & Behavior4.3 (2001). : 393-401. Print.Ridings, Catherine M. and Gefen, David. “Virtual Community Attraction: Why People Hang Out Online.” of non-verbal communication of emoticons in computer-mediated communication”. Cyberpsychology and behavior; October 2008, vol. 11, number 5, p... 2011