Well that was a quick four weeks. It’s hard to believe we are moving on to the next module. At this rate the semester will be over before you know it. I can’t wait to take the writin and Tewchnology course since it’s an extension of this course. We have a lot to finish over the weekend- at least I do. The next assignment is already posted and waiting. OMG, I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’ve been up since 3a.m. trying to figure out some of this material. I’m ready for a nap. -Petisa
The “Collective Unconscious of Mankind” October 2, 2007
The chat log that was most interesting to me was the Reality and Identity Group 3. They brought up a lot of points in their conversation that were very intriguing and worth mentioning. One of the statements that really grabbed me was Be Smith’s reference to the internet as the “collective unconscious of mankind”. This could not be more true. From my own interpretation, he is basically saying that when we post things online we do it almost unconsciously, without a thought or care that other people may be reading them. We use the internet (mostly blogging) as a digital diary where we can let our opinions, beliefs, fears, and even deepest secrets seep into another world; a dangerous world where everything is at stake, up front, and ultimately, permanent. This is similar to papers we hand in to professors expressing our beliefs on a particular topic. However, it is very very different in the sense that only the professors will be reading that paper, whereas online their will be more people perusing through our thoughts.
The group goes on to discuss how people tend to share things on the internet that they wouldn’t usually say. They feel safer because they aren’t in direct contact with the people they are communicating with. With the internet, we are communicating with the whole world; anyone and everyone. That, to us, sounds OK because “everyone” is doing it and that is where the “collective” part of Be Smith’s comment fits in. The internet is basically everyone’s diary. So, having said this, when we look at things like authorship a question arises of who is the true author. In some sense, we are all authors, publishing stories that are stocked in a global, digital library where not even a library card needs to be swiped or a dime needs to be spent in order to review someone else’s work. Ultimately, considering the openness off the internet, it is important that we become more conscious of what we are posting on certain cites, considering it is impossible for it to be completely erased. It isn’t like a written diary where you can write your entry, lock it with a key, and keep that key safe; in reality, the diaries we contribute to on the internet are forever and indefinitely open. -Amanda
Class Overview September 28, 2007
Class this morning was a really neat experience. When first hearing that we would be chatting on the computer instead of having a class discussion, I was wondering what the point of that was. Automatically, I came to the realization that having a discussion in a chatroom with other classmates opened up a world of possibility. Instead of having to raise your hand to share your thoughts, everyone could be talking at the same time. Also, it allowed us to withhold our identities and create a different name, so other people wouldn’t know who exactly they were talking to. Not only this, but the class went by so much faster!
My group focused our conversation on authorship. What is that exactly? I would come to the conclusion that it is the writing one produces and claims ownership to. On terms of authorship on the internet, that is a bit of a different story. With so many people blogging anonymously these days, sometimes it is hard to tell who a true author is. If people blog anonymously they are risking the chance of someone else stealing their work and claiming it as their own. With the digital world producing so many possibilities, it is hard to come up with a clear cut definition of what authorship really is. What does authorship mean to you?
-Amanda
Hey guys September 26, 2007
I spent the entire weekend trying to figure out what to do with this page. Anyway I did read the article “A rape in cyberspace.” It was pretty strange. I felt I was reading a sci-fi novel. No way this could be a real scenario. But it is. I think it crosses a lot of greyish lines. For example when a physical rape takes place, a lot of times the woman is blamed or accused of lying. I felt that a lot of that was going on in this article.
The Virtual World of MUDs September 25, 2007
Before reading “A Rape in Cyberspace” I didn’t even know that a virtual world like LambdaMOO even existed. After reading the detailed descriptions of the so-called “rape” that happened within this world, it really got me thinking about the dangers of getting oneself involved in such an activity. In this virtual world users have the ability to create characters that are either similar to their actual being, completely different, or show a side of themselves that no one else knows about. In participating in this virtual world experience, every user knowingly sets themselves up for whatever events are thrown at them…in this case, rape. After seeing how the “user community” reacted to this event, it really got me thinking. Is a place like this such a good idea? I guess it really all goes back to the Freedom of Expression, which Dibbell mentions at the end of his article. LambdaMOO is a site that allows words to persuade, misdirect, and potentially emotionally harm other users, since the only form of communication is writing. Every user has the ability to tell you anything they want with a certain knowledge that every other user will believe them because, honestly, in a situation like this there is really no way of really knowing what is the truth and what isn’t. Ultimately this leaves the possibility that the virtual community is nothing but an abyss of lies, deception, and misunderstanding.
On this same note, “Who Am We” goes into more detail about the virtual world through several descriptions of MUD (Multi-User-Dungeon) programs. As previously discussed, “the anonymity of MUDs gives people the chance to express multiple and often unexplored aspects of the self, to play with their identity and to try out new ones”. Males often register as females and visa versa. It gets particularly interesting when it goes into detail about cyber sex. How do you know if you’re even communicating with someone of the “true” opposite sex? There is really no way of knowing. The argument then arises if the other partner (in the real world) would consider this cheating. In my opinion, yes. In all honestly, I find the idea of randomly talking to another user (whose identity could be nothing more than a lie) about sexual activity is nothing short of pathetic. What is the purpose? Forgive me if I offend anyone here, but what is the purpose of participating in such a conversation if you are married or are dating someone? Is this virtual world, even beyond the world of cyber sex, even necessary? Within the article it states that many people, having made their character someone they “wish” they were more like, do not feel that they gain any benefits or find any character changes in themselves once having a virtual relationship with someone that could live anywhere in the world. Yes, in their virtual world they may develop many friends, but where does that get you in the real world? Nowhere. So, that in mind, what is the point of sitting in front of a computer pretending that you’re someone you’re not? Personally, I just don’t get it. Yes, I understand there is a-whole-nother world out there with technology expanding and everything, but to me a danger arises in communicating like this. Wouldn’t you much rather communicate with honest people whose identities you know are real?
-Amanda
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