Seasons

Irina:

Is that related to Tourette's syndrome? The condition in which people can't help using obscene words? See

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TBR-4B5JSWG-7&_user=10&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2004&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=a461780ac156fcb5a248701a3fd478d2

?

I don't know, but I imagine it is. The fact that there is such a thing as Tourette's suggests that there is a particular part of the brain that is involved with the use of obscenities.

For those of us fed up with netspeak:

http://nodwick.humor.gamespy.com/ffn/strips/2007-09-05.jpg

Hee hee! What a lovely dream! Thanks, Ulrike!

Irina, re: your rape question, it depends on the jurisdiction whether it could be argued that the elements of sexual assault or some related charge were met. Not so long ago, the prosecutor would have had to show force was used(e.g. bruises and physical proof of resistance). You could try to make an analogy to cases where dentists sexually abused patients whom they had drugged, or psychologists who sleep with vulnerable patience, but my guess is that if she had the capacity to consent, it would not be seen as a sexual crime in most places. The courts don't want to get involved in cases of fraud or deceit when the damages are sexual as opposed to monetary, and yet when you stab the lying scum a few dozen times, then all of a sudden the law cares. Go figure.

PS Irina, in civil court, the wife probably would have a case of intentional infliction of emotional distress (particularly if she showed signs of post traumatic stress or depression, or if the marriage was hurt). It's also reasonably foreseeable that such damages may occur to the husband and any children of the marriage or in the home, because of the stress on the home life that most likely would follow. The husband may also claim alienation of affections if he lives in a jurisdiction where that is still on the books. Depending on the effect this has on the wife, he may also suffer loss of consortium and companionship. You could also say both suffered an invasion of privacy.

Though it is doubtful it would succeed in court, I think fraud should apply too. Though sex is not a property right, I think the emotional aspects of being intentionally deceived in such an egregious manner violate a legal right to control one's body. Frankly I don't think merely taking money or property is half as bad as knowingly and purposefully abusing someone's emotional vulnerability in the manner you describe.

Are you writing a book or short story where you will play with this theme?

Irina & Bev:

This is truly bizarre! It wouldn't even be considered a criminal act worthy of prosecution? Incredible!

Alan, it may depend on the jurisdiction. Despite the big media cases, sexual crimes against adults are very hard to prosecute as a rule. It doesn't mean there aren't some aggressive DAs doing their best though.

Bev:

Thank you for the information! No, I'm not writing anything, it's just something that came up in a chat.

I thought Irina and psimagus might be interested in this discussion of a paper on quantum mechanics (with a link to the original paper):

http://scienceblogs.com/principles/2007/09/watching_wavefunctions_collaps.php

And here's one on bringing bots into virtual gaming:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6992613.stm