Idoru
There were many reasons for the research and development of the idoru. The military desired the technology to use in simulations and cyber-warefare. The media wanted a stable of digital actors for their newscasts¸ commercials and television shows. The lonely wanted to find love and companionship amidst a sea of 1"s and 0"s. For these reasons¸ and a million more¸ mankind began the quest to create a never-before seen form of life. [Thx to UncleBear.com]