b) By having an online persona the idea of not necessarily being your true self is appealing to some people. As you cannot be seen on the internet, unless you have pictures of yourself, then you may appear to feel more confident by putting on a different persona. People also have false images of themselves on the internet. If they’re speaking to random people from around the world in chat rooms or games etc then who’s going to know that the picture isn’t of the actual person?
Many people decide to experiment with their identities on the internet; some people decide to be themselves and be honest and feel that it is wrong to give false information on the internet, where as other people play around with their online persona for pure fun and enjoyment. Having a false persona on the internet allows them to escape from their own ‘real identity ‘and par take in fantasies that they may have. This is supported by the idea of Bolter and Grusin: “We can experiment with other parts of ourselves, take risks or express aspects of self that we find impossible to live out in day-to-day ‘meatspace’” (Bolter and Grusin cited in Lister et al, 2003;167)For example a 67 year old man can re-kindle his youth on the internet by having a persona that is 18 years old. I feel that the ideas of Poster and Turkles are supported by my examples as we both agree that the idea of identity can be changed and manipulated. However this made me think negative of ideas based around having a fake persona such as identity fraud, bullying and paedophilia. A ‘fake’ online persona can be fun and for most people it is just a different experience that they can enjoy but when identity fraud and children’s safety come to light it doesn’t sound as fun does it?
c) The idea of online, issues based around race, gender and class can be manipulated and ignored. Also unlike your real self you can have multiple personas of variations so you can actually pretend to be anyone you want to be which relates back to the fluidity of online identities. “ Identity is seen as anything but essential or fixed...identity is understood as a fluid process in which ‘self’ and environment are constantly interacting” (Lister et al 2003; 167). Some websites are designed around certain cultures and races, but on others you do not necessarily have to state your race gender or class and it is easy for you to lie and once again create a ‘false’ persona. Also when browsing sites there are little stereotypical views or comments as on most sites you only have to have a ‘username’ and your profile image can be false so there is no suggestion of your race or gender. This supports the idea of no identities not being fixed.
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Yes, Lister et al's account is interesting isn't it. But much of this is based upon Turkle and the Dungeons & Dragons 'netizens'. Would Facebook work if everyone was being someone else? Where is the growth of the Inet? MOOs or SNS? Skype or bulletin boards? What does that imply for this question of masquerade?
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