China is the world's most populous country, but I am still amazed that some micro-bloggers have millions of followers - that is a lot of clout.

But some people deliberately manipulate their image online for personal gain. Yet if they try and maintain a false online persona too long, pieces of the puzzle come together to tell people who they really are. When this happens, the public does not treat the perpetrator kindly.

Virtual life is no longer a frivolous addition to our real lives. Online personae have the potential to bring us greater recognition than our real selves, making it finally possible to lead double lives without being secret agents. I live in Oklahoma, but I write mainly in Chinese for a Chinese audience. I have been able to achieve some recognition on the Web while maintaining a very private, undisturbed life.