Computer-mediated telelove is a game of exchanging meanings. Human energy is invested in different kinds of symbolic interaction. People invest a lot of energy in these virtual relationships and they gain typically human experiences. They feel real pain when they are left by their virtual partners, they become desperate when they are neglected by their virtual partners and they can thoroughly enjoy the role play made possible in a virtual world. The symbolic interactions taking place in virtual worlds are neither more nor less real than those taking place in the 'real' world.
Human beings are 'tool-making animals'.
But our humanity is mainly determined by our ability to make meaningful symbols and to exchange them. That is only possible to the extent that we possess imaginative powers and a desire to play. The modern 'homo ludens' enjoys living one's life to the full in a fantasy-world. We are playing animals who use our imagination and who highly value the element of 'make-believe', which already played a part in primitive religions. That is the frivolous essence of cultural life.