If life on the Internet seems strange enough already, steer clear of the IRC chat board. In every corner of the world, IRC provides a place where relationships begin and late-night boredom ends. There, you can find botanists discussing psychoactive drugs, or singles looking for some midnight tiny sex - it all depends on which channel you join. Think of it as shortwave, with almost crystal reception and little to no interference. There are literally hundreds of channels to haunt, offering discussion in English, German, Finnish, and Kanji to name only a few.
Conversations continue round the clock in real-time, and engage virtual ears from around the globe.
Those desperate to make such a connection should temper their enthusiasm. Simply put, caution is advised for the novice. IRC truly has something for everyone. Topics of conversation are varied and lively. Technical and political discussions are popular, especially when world events are in progress.