rape in cyberspace

Did Bungle commit rape?

I think that this a subjective question, but in my opinion he did not commit rape, although I think he caused emotional strain or inflicted pain on his victims.  I'm not really into computers, and am not exactly sure what this virtual cyberspace is.  I've never heard of a MOO before class on Friday, so I guess what they were talking about in the article is very similar to the example in class on Friday.  When reading the beginning of this article, I at first thought it was kind of silly that people got so emotionally invested into some imaginary place where everyone is strangers.  But I guess it is a lot like a chat room, and verbal insults can definitely hurt people's feelings.  I found it interesting in the article when someone said that "the mind is the body" and that is why it was so hurtful to those people Bungle attacked.  It might sound unsympathetic, but the whole situation kind of reminded me of a video game for adults.  It seemed like people got a little too into what was going on in that "community".  I can understand how those girls were hurt by Bungle's comments.  But the whole part about a bunch of the members deciding to be radical and toad him and all that stuff seemed to go a little overboard.  I don't mean he shouldn't have been kicked out, but I mean the extent of how emotionally involved people were in this community was a little extreme.  It kind of reminds me of fantasy sports as well.  I have a fantasy basketball team, and it's fun to look at and chirp at my buddies who I am beating, but some people get extremely into it.  I really think they have somehow convinced themselves that they are real general managers because of how serious they've let themselves take it.  The main reason I do not think that he committed rape, though, was that I could not help but think what an actual rape victim would think when reading this article, and then when asked this question.  I'm not exactly sure about this, but I would think that a woman who was raped would think of what they went through, and almost be aghast that these women would consider themselves rape victims as well.  I'm not sure that this would be the case, maybe I am completely off, but when I think of what a real rape victim had to endure, and what these victims endured in this cyberspace, I would not consider it equal.  I do not mean to sound insensitive, because I feel bad for these people that Bungle hurt, but I would not consider them rape victims.