RL

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Synonyms: meatspace, Real Life, Real World, Offline, In Real Life
See also: Mundane, Real Name, Wallet Name, Fandom Closet, Meetup
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RL is an abbreviation for "Real Life." The term makes the assumption that there is a great divide between a fannish life and "real life."

In regards to online fandom, the term "RL" is often used to mean everyday "offline" life (e.g. "Sorry for not commenting, but RL keeps getting in the way."), but can also mean physical space, or "fleshspace" ("I met my beta in RL the first time at Games Convention.")

The acronym is often criticized for devaluing fannish relationships and experiences, online and offline, in its implication that these are "less real".[1]

Some Comments About Integrating One's Fannish Identity with One's Real Life Identity

References

  1. ^ tree., (2010). an open letter to everyone, ever. Retrieved November 21 2010.
  2. ^ reference link