The paternalistic hand accorded the cybersex victim as a traditional woman in need of extraordinary protection by the law is thoroughly at odds with the enormous reversals in behavior taking place in cyberculture. It's not just that gender differences are often irrelevant on the Internet and women have total on-line equality; ZZS's own cyberwriting literally and figuratively turned seduction upside down.
"The e-mail had no more impact than if this man and woman had gone back 50 years and sent regular letters," Jovanovic's lawyer said dismissively when the case was over. But 50 years ago, Jovanovic and his accuser would never have become instant and aggressive pen pals. Even if they had passed each other on the Columbia University campus, it's unlikely that his beauteous blond accuser would have looked twice at the nerdy, bespeckled Jovanovic.
The Internet definitely has its charms. But unless there is a better understanding of how it is changing the dynamics of social life, there may well be a lot more court in modem courtship.
