Virtually Bonkers (Pun Intended)

Okay. I'm a huge supporter of the internet, its value for information sharing and its capacity to make life more efficient. BUT, I think these benefits should be meant only to enhance reality, not replace it. I understand online communities. They enable people to connect with others throughout the world in a way that was never before possible. Yet, to have online events such as a "virtual water fight" has reached the point of absurdity. Don't people realize the inherent fun in a water fight is the hot summer day, the shocking coolness of a water balloon crashing over your steamy skin and the laughter of children lazily drifting through the muggy air?

Developing an online community for idea-sharing such as Yahoo! Answers: I get.

Developing an online community to replace your life with one lived in a chair in front of your desk: I don't get.

This is a developing topic I am interested in exploring further, but right now, I'm too busy living in the real world. In fact, I just got back from exploring the urban jungle off Lake Michigan (aka Chicago). I didn't just see the magnificent Chicago skyline from some pic or even a 3-D tour online. Instead, head up, back arched, I stared at the city's modern marvels looming above me in the flesh... and my own aspirations swelled, rising to meet these giants that live among the clouds.

Gaia Online Hosts World's Largest Virtual Water Fight

Millions of Gaians Participate in Gaia's First Summer Festival With Water Fights, Pool Parties and the First Gaia Online Trilogy Film

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaia Online, the fastest growing online hangout for teens, today announced its first annual virtual Summer Festival. More than two million teens and their custom avatars will have the chance to participate in the world's largest virtual water balloon fight in addition to shooting squirt guns at each other, swimming in a new community pool, relaxing in the hot tub, and witnessing the first ever Gaia Online animated short film. Before school starts, this is a chance for teens to truly savor the last moments of summer in true Gaia fashion.

Gaia Online's hosting of the largest virtual water fight allows users to receive free water balloons through out the site simply by inviting their friends to join, participating in various games, and hanging out in the towns. Over 350,000 users have already been granted virtual water balloons in pre-festival activities. Gaians are actually able to take their water balloons, enter towns, and throw them at other users. In addition to this, they are able to engage in an intense and exciting water war between four of the cities in Gaia. First, users have the ability to decide which city they would like to ally with, and then receive points on behalf of their city by throwing water balloons at alternate enemy city members. Gaians who choose to participate in these exclusive events are constantly accumulating points towards receiving a special limited edition item that will only be released during this year's Summer Festival.

"We are so excited to launch the first Gaia Summer Festival as it gives our users a truly unique way to interact and enjoy the latest features that they had a huge part in implementing. We will be continuing to add virtual events like this in the future due to the overwhelming positive response from new and old members alike," Gaia CEO Craig Sherman said.

After taking part in the world's largest online water fight, users can visit Gaia's towns, where they can jump right into a swimming pool or stay warm in a hot tub. New Summer Festival emotes and toys range from traditional water guns and water balloons to the ability to pee in the pool and place candy bars in the pool as well. These options are available to Gaians in an effort to further enhance their interaction with other users.

Another Summer Festival addition to Gaia Online is the release of the first film in the Gaia Online Trilogy. Over the years, Gaia has introduced a number of fun and entertaining characters who have been shown and portrayed through a series of Gaia comics. This first film is viewable solely by Summer Festival participants and will continue to follow the lives of Gaia's characters with action scenes and moments never previously seen.

About Gaia Online

Founded in 2003, Gaia Online is the fastest-growing hangout on the web. Millions of teens come to Gaia every month to make friends, play games, watch movies in Gaia's virtual theaters, and participate in the world's most active online community. Gaia provides a fun, social environment that inspires individuality and creativity. With everything from art contests to discussion forums on poetry, politics, celebrities and more, to fully customizable profiles, digital characters and cars, Gaia is a place where teens can create their own space and express their individual style.