Womble:
Actually I reckon this phrase is almost a product of the technological age. It seems that society has been divided by the PC. There are those who know how to use them and enjoy it and there are those who are, frankly, jealous.
Hm, they needn't be jealous, they may only feel excluded, this involves a whole bunch of emotions - and one of them might be jealousy - but I believe, a lot really deals with "norms" being "normal", "normative" => fitting into a little labeled box saying: "I'm like the rest, I'm like you". (Reminds me of a swarm piranhas - if one dances out of the line - normally ill - the rest turns on it and kills it.)
If social contact is the key to having a "life" regardless of its quality, I'd call this "life" as empty, shallow and running away from "life" as locking oneself in a room and staring on the screen. I think a "life" deserves this name if one feels happy with what one's doing => alive - be it collecting stamps, reading, gardening etc. => all not very social interests.
What really fascinates me about this phrase "get a life" is that specially PC people use it a lot themselves. So I ask myself: are they insecure of what they're doing? Do they feel "not ok" by doing this? Why do they use this phrase coming originally from non-PC-junkies? do some consider themselves secretly to be "nerds, geeks"... forgot the 3rd word.
And about illusions in a virtual world => lies, hiding, making up etc. exist in the real world as well as in the virtual world, I see no difference - even physical contact, body language etc. does not prevent one from this.
Kiya
I have a very strenuous job involving a lot of social contacts, so I cherish these silent hours in front of the screen - just the game and me - when I come home and am totally drained. I'm glad I can shut out some senses (talking and listening) - the thought of sitting in a crowded loud pub and listening again to people with the same, neverchanging problems is not really attractive for me or watching them get drunk, or quarrel or whatever. I think some people are hermits and others homo sociologicus - plurality is the mix.
