After being exposed to second life and digital media technologies of its kind through my digital media class, you can see how these technologies have created a way for people to express themselves in so many ways. Using avatars people are able to create themselves in any image whether they want to be true to thier real life selves or create someone who in no way resembles any characteristic of themseleves. The possibilities are endless in these cyber societies and with that comes the freedom of unknown identity. This means a couple things. One thing is that social restraints are no longer present. Race gender sexual orientation or any discriminating factor that is unsubstantiated but inact in real life does not apply here. A member of the Klu Klux Klan could be best friends with an African American and never know it. Along with this point comes the issue of relationships. In these new cyber societies relationships can be formed just like in real life, people have even known to be married without ever meeting that person. Although there is no real personal interaction people can shop talk or just hang out with anyone they may run into while using programs like second life. Although these programs cretes certain benefits and freedoms they are still not yet perfect. As other reading have pointed out social predators enjoy the same freedom of unknown identity and use that as a cover to explore another way to socially victimize other users.
Two Questions?
Do you think more people create avatars who are similiar to them in real life or “radical” ones?
DO you think relationships online can be as strong as real life ones?
