“Some people are leading double or multiple lives in cyber-space, even with different gender identities.” (Jones: Cybersociety 2.0: 1998) Being able to not be seen allows people to experiment with their own personalities, in a way that they would not do so in a ‘meatspace’ situation. I think it can give people confidence to say things they wouldn’t say, and generally express themselves in a way they don’t feel they can do in real life. Personally, I can see this in a positive way until people online lie about their identities. To an extent I understand why people do this, and it does allow people to disconnect and experience new identities, as described again in the lecture its can create a “better self.” However, I agree with the post-modern views - “technological embodiment of a post structualist theory” (Lister page 167) when the element of escapism is taken over when seen to be real-life. Moreover, when screen-names etc aren’t just an expression of another part of someone’s personality, but are in fact a false identity. This is evident within the case study in Lister page 168, the “Cross Dressing Psychiatrist.” Although an experiment, when it genuinely goes on so much over the internet I think it becomes a problem. What we can’t see for ourselves makes it hard to trust!
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With reference to the lecture, in real-life people do have to ADAPT their personalities to suit certain situations, whereas online I think the difference is that people can CHANGE their personalities and sometimes transform them into different people, i.e. changing their age, sex, gender etc which people can not possibly do in real life situations.
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I agree when you say that "Being able to not be seen allows people to experiment with their own personalities, in a way that they would not do so in a ‘meatspace’ situation."
ReplyDeleteIt can often be the case that someone creates an identity for themselves in real life and then everyone comes to expect certain personality traits from you. For example being known as the "class clown" will cause people to always expect you to make light of situations and be making jokes. However, online you can be free of this expectation and give a response which wouldn't be expected of you without raising eyebrows. In this way I see having an online persona as a good thing.
That's true Kayley, online personas can be good for people who want to be accepted in a certain way, which would be a great deal harder in 'meatspace.' However, I have read your blog about this and the example of the boy who presented himself differently online and I think that online users have to compromise somehow between their offline and online representation, as to not become too involved in their online persona and neglect trying to help themselves in real life.
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ReplyDeleteI agree Cara, there is a fine line between making improvements to your current personality when online and creating a whole new personality and I think the danger comes when you consistently think that the things you're saying online you wouldn't be able to do IRL, it would indicate that you're not happy with who you are?
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