2^8 Shades of Grey

Ethics in computers is as grey as old eggs. Ethics themselves are grey as well, but ethical behavior in computing has a special set of challenges. For one, the Internet has no international borders. Every society in the world has formed their own codes of what is appropriate over thousands of years, but the Internet instantly networks us together into one big grey boiling pot. How do we localize something inherintly global? Take nudity for example. Even Great Britain, with whom we share common roots, has a much freer views of scandalous content. Should we impose our morals on them? Do we filter it? Do we cut off ties completely? I guess it depends. Often answers to grey issues must be grey themselves.

The virtual wife or the actual mistress.

A married man with bad job makes a choice. Let's look at both. Either he escapes to the virtual reality world of Second Life, or he transfers to another department. He hangs out at a zero gravity bar. He eats lunch in the break room. He floats over to a woman and strikes up a conversation. He sits next to a woman and makes small talk. Basic quests together become inseparable campaigns. Casual lunches turn to romantic dinners. He takes her to be his virtually wedded wife. During a work retreat he spends a passionate night in her room. In the end, what does it matter? He is still an adulterer.