Session 4

The Communication Research was an article that I related to in a personal level. I have chatted. I have thought that I was in love with someone online judging and fantasizing the person based on their "selective self-presentation". I have had asynchronous meeting experience that just thwarted everyone off the topic and never met a conclusion. I have had more confidence in the democratized settings of the anonymous meeting online. I have always been curious about the reason behind accentuating part of people's online persona. I have found myself exhibiting greater "private self-awareness" online which sometimes I find disgusting but I still can't resist the display.

So that was how I read the article - as a somewhat history of my emotional outlet through the internet and the reason behind it. Although the article was outdated, it was interesting to see the history of notions that predicted and analyzed the situation at that time. The most interesting idea I found was about 'behavioral confirmation' that leads to intensification loop. How expectation can shape up a relationship and the egocentric fantasies involved was fascinating. The human nature of conversation, love, emotional dependency in hyperpersonal CMC seemed to cast light in what the true intrinsic essence of human link is about.

Also, I agree in part that Biocca and Levy was mentioned in their idea of "less is more". Although second life is a well made simulation of reality, the fact that it gives users control of the persona that they want to display, it intensifies the imagination instead of depriving them of it.

So, now to the second life...
I failed to create my character two weeks ago because I couldn't decide a name. The ones I wanted were all taken. Why couldn't I go through the process? Why couldn't I just type up random or silly names that no one would've taken. I knew the answer. I was just embarrassed to admit it. I wanted to represent myself the coolest way I can. And I believe that's how everyone feels about their avatars. However, reading the Second thoughts about second life, I decided not to jump in it too soon. The fact that online harassment causes real-world suffering manifested itself in some tragic cases in Korea. There were several cases where teenagers committed suicide over an online disputes. People got into a fight in a chat room and decided to take it to the offline world. One of the significant effects of the online crimes led to opening the branch of cyber investigators. Busier than ever, they are trying hard to keep up with the new concept of harassment and fraud.
Even with this negative shadow casting on the online community, the example of a disabled person on the CBC News suggested a whole new horizon of how virtual world can overcome reality. No friction, gravity, death. Can it serve as our Utopia?