Internet vs the Table, or Warcraft vs. D&D

[tofr...@gmail.com]

Obviously the two mediums are very different, each with its own pros
and cons. For ME the biggest problem I have with MMORPGs like
Warcraft is probably what a lot of the players like about it. It
isn't very (read: not at all) role-play oriented. I realize that a
lot of D&D players also don't like to role-play, and even I am not way
into it. But if you completely take it out of a game, what are you
doing? What is the point? You are just beating things up, trying to
raise level after arbitrary level. Sure there is the excitement of
battle, but if you take out the 'why' then your character is just a
set of numbers that you are using to whack at a monster that is just a
set of numbers.

I am not totally against Warcraft. From what I've played of it I
actually like it. But I am confused by the warcraft-like mindset some
d&d players have.

Does anybody have a comment? Either about MMORPGs or about role-
playing in general?