Edward Castronova, Associate Professor in the Department of Telecommunications at Indiana University and developer of the Arden Shakespeare-themed world, apparently has some concerns about the impact of virtual life on the real world.

"My guess is that the impact on the real world really is going to involve folks disappearing from reality in a lot of places where we see them," Castronova told the BBC, discussing his recent book, Exodus To The Virtual World, on the same topic. He predicts that over the next decade, everyone will be involved in virtual worlds to some degree -- but that a group of individuals may "go and disappear," spending all of their lives there.

Castronova visualizes that virtual worlds may become a sort of "refuge" for those whose real lives are less appealing, but he still sees them as a step forward based on their ability to connect people globally for communication.

[Via BBC News]