I tend to think that it enhances what's already there. I've been on the net since 1991 and have met probably 30-40 people after getting to know them online first. Generally they have been pretty consistant between their online and in-person self.
As far as the net being real... I vote yes. :) It's just another way of communicating.
I'm not sure you can ask that question at any level other than that of the individual... It's whether or not the individual believes that it's real that influences whether they treat their on-line interactions as anything more than just a game. and I'm pretty well convinced that the structure of the situation affects how people behave in that on-line community. e.g., differences between listserv type discussion groups and usenet newsgroups... differences between the atmosphere in various chat places on the net.
See the Net Relationships section of my Love and Relationships Page for some more of my thoughts on online interactions.
Betty
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