Logging Off.

Long ago, in Htrae, a far away world in another galaxy, lived a species of ape like creatures that existed physically, but lived virtually.

They once were a highly intelligent apex predator, equipped with powerful legs and arms and hands and feet that allowed them to surf across water, ascend mountains that towered high above the clouds and run vast distances across entire empires.

Their brains were capable of producing airships that could float from one continent to another, vaccines that could cure the deadliest of diseases and cloning technology that could rebuild species that had been extinct for thousands and thousands of years.

But, this god-like species had one fatal flaw that ultimately led to their extinction –– they were obsessed with that which was not there.

What destroyed the apes of Htrae wasn’t what the great thinkers of the time had anticipated.

It wasn’t the massive meteors that were sure to fall from space. It wasn’t the decimation of the atmosphere. It wasn’t the hell-like missiles they had built in their missile making factories.

No, what destroyed the apes of Htrae was the screens they had invented to serve as portals to Virtura –– a virtual world of their creation outside the physical realm.

At first, Virtura was a place of creativity and collaboration. It was a place where apes could communicate with one another, share ideas and learn.

Thinkers of the time called it the greatest creation ape-kind had ever thought up. And, at the time, they were right.

But, as the days turned into years, the apes lost touch with the physical world and were spending more of their lifetime in Virtura then they were in Htrae.

In the mornings when the apes would rise, great enterprises would pay them in points to stare at their screens and “improve” Virtura.

After the apes would complete their day’s work, they would be paid in virtual currency that they could then use to purchase greater access to Virtura.

Eventually the apes no longer had to leave the safety of their dens nor the warmth of their sleeping place –– existing solely or soullessly in Virtura.

In the world of Virtura, they would pleasure themselves to virtual images of other apes. They would change their appearances to appear more attractive. They would save their virtual currency and use it to invest in various ventures in the virtual realm.

They would even create alternate imaginary lives for themselves in the virtual ape communities of Virtura.

Thus, began the decimation…

The apes stopped reproducing and started mating virtually.

The apes stopped moving and started moving virtually.

The apes stopped talking and started communicating virtually.

The apes stopped thinking and starting thinking virtually.

Eventually, there was a massive blackout across Htrae while all of the apes where in Virtura –– trapping them inside their virtual world forever.

When the aliens came to Htrae, in search for a world to keep their massive reptilian pets, they did not have to bring any food in there spacecrafts.

The reptiles feasted on the fat apes and their shriveled up limbs and appendages.

And it was in this feast that the age of the dinosaurs began.

However, the apes still to this day have Virtura.

By Cole Schafer.

Cole is the copy chief at Honey Copy, where he helps startups make more money through emails and landing pages that read like poetry and sell like Ogilvy. When he isn’t slinging copy, he is right here on Medium sharing ideas about life, business, marketing and dinosaurs. Or riding alpacas.