The Nakamura article for this week discusses the idea of representation of oneself on the internet. The examples of these online “communities” that Nakamura looks at show how people represent themselves how they want to. The one “community” LambdMOO allows people to choose from four different genders, which is two more than are in society. Allowing people to choose different genders illustrates the way in which deception is so easy on the internet. Who is to say someone is being accurate when the chose a gender for an internet community profile, and what exactly do these two other genders mean. With as large and yet secluded as the internet is, it is very easy for a person to say they are so-so a female form California when really they are a male in Kentucky. This creates all sorts of problems for internet communities.
When I was reading this article I could not help but think of all the times I have seen in television about people misrepresenting themselves on the internet and then getting in trouble with the law or even kids pretending to be older and getting themselves in physical danger. I know people who on their myspace profiles say they are 20 or so and are actually in high school. Cases like this can lead to serious problems because there are so many weird people on the internet. When I have noticed friends who have misrepresented their age, my cousin for one, I have made a point of telling them to change because of the dangers that lurk. I also know people who have completely fake profiles and the purpose is just to mess with their friends and that is it. But the reality is there are people out there who have set up a fake profile with the intent of luring a child or luring an adult. The fact that it is so easy to misrepresent yourself on the internet is a scary thing and if I were a parent I don’t know if I would want my kids having the access to the internet and online communities that they do. I know that I feel comfortable with the profiles I have at myspace and facebook because I consider myself to be an intelligent person and do not allow friends that I do not know. I have seen first hand a friend’s fake profile where they have received weird messages from people claiming to know them and wanting to hang out and it is really weird because I know the profile is fake so these people are lying. The internet, as amazing as it is and as useful and fun as it is can be is still a scary space. The fact that people can create an image of themselves that is not accurate is frightening and very uncomforting. As secure as I feel in my use of the internet there is still so much uncertainty and danger that is out there.
1 comment:
True that there are dangers in misrepresentation, what about the value of play? I for example, made a fake page on My-space once, for a fictitious author of a story within a story by Jorge Luis Borges. In doing so, I got to "roleplay" and try to figure out this character better. What is his sign, never once refered to in the text? What is his perspective on marriage? etc. For me it was a fun exercise, an this could be a useful tool for novelists to do character studies.
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