The era of telepresence: global village and "media slums"

Telepresence is the generic term for a set of activities performed from a distance through the use of telecommunication means. It refers to working (telecommuting), playing, providing and using services (telemedicine, teleshopping), teaching and learning (teleeducation).-from a distance. The dialogue presented in the paper between a "True Believer" and a "Devil's Advocate" helps to explore some social implications of telepresence, particularly the emergence of new global village lifestyles, against the development of "media slums".