At the outset of Sherry Turkle’s excerpt from The Second Self, she boldly claims that “Children use the computer in their process of world and identity construction”. As for assimilating them into this progressive, technological generation, it executes its job by familiarizing them with the processes of the computer, its programs, and by stimulating their minds on the plethora of educational and non-educational video games. However, Turkle fails to specify the amount of time spent on this computer apposed to other activities that can help children grow and mature. Turkle’s points are valid if the children are also using other mediums to discover themselves, and not relying on the computer as their sole source to “forge their sense of themselves” and use it as their only tool towards “development of their personalities and ways of looking at the world”.
The dilemma created by this sole, and I stress the term sole, reliance on computers to build ones personality, is the creation of an inward, intelligent person who spends all his or her time on video games like MMORPG’s and studying. In my past years of playing wow, I’ve conversed with, in the game and in real life, many players who fit into this mold, which has lead me to understand that completely shutting yourself off from the physical world can cause stunted social skills and a reluctance to step outside the now norm of staying on the computer.
I’m not saying that socializing does not happen on the internet, as I have clearly seen in wow, but there is a large distinction between typing from behind a computer screen and conversing with people in real life. For example, on the internet when something extremely awkward is said, it is most likely ignored and the conversation continues. However, in a face to face conversation when that same line is verbalized, it could result in public humiliation and the end of the conversation.
A possible solution to this issue is a balance between time spent on the computer and time spent participating in some sort of social activity, be it sports, band, clubs, etc. I don’t want to sound like I’m on some high horse preaching about nerds, I’ve always been a gamer and will continue to be one.
Great! You're starting to think about this tricky notion of "sociality," and I'm glad you didn't fall into the usual harangue about gamer kids being completely anti-social and maladjusted. Some are, of course, but plenty of others are social in other contexts and don't turn into ash when the sun hits them.
ReplyDeleteSo what *is* the difference, then, between socializing on the Internet, in a game, or in "real life"? You've astutely noticed that online, it's often convenient to "ignore" troubling comments or behavior, pretend you're "afk," or segregate your "real life" beliefs from your online play. But isn't that a problem? Let's continue this discussion here and when we talk about the nature of play, and race, class, gender, and sexuality online.
The main problem I have come across with professing beliefs on the internet is that since the people you are interacting with are protected behind a computer screen, they can almost say what ever they please, wether it is appropriate or not. I've seen plenty of "trolls" on the internet, they lurk all over forum sites, such as 4chan, and they are also weaved into MMORPG cybercultures. I think it really comes down to that feeling of safety they get knowing that they are completely safe behind their screens and there is relatively nothing you can do to stop them. Besides of course, ignoring them, which is pretty much the only way to deal with a troll.
ReplyDeleteI think there are similarities in the way we approach communicating in real life and over the Internet. Most of the time we don't try to start conversations with random people. We have friends or group memberships that share similar (or at least not horribly conflicting) beliefs as us. Many people do the same thing online by seeking out forums, blogs, or facebook groups where they feel comfortable posting.
ReplyDeleteOne difference between real life and the Internet is that in real life you are inevitably going to encounter people with different views with you. In real life you have to learn to cooperate and deal with these differences. On the internet you can completely avoid them by steering away from particular sites, or, as pointed out above, ignoring them completely. As a result, on the Internet there is a risk of being completely isolated from new people and ideas.
The internet is a huge opportunity to explore new ideas and to learn new things but it is true that many people use the internet for things they are already interested in or already know about. When people join groups or write on forums online it is generally about things they are comfortable with or have a large interest in. Its that comfort people get stuck with because it is difficult in real life and on the internet to explore new things and try to become a part of a different culture that you are not used to. The internet does give you that option of being able to completely ignore the other side, which can be a good or a bad thing. Bad in the sense that you do not see the other side of the argument and don't give yourself that opportunity to branch out, but good in the sense that you just don't have to deal with annoying people and their terrible views. The internet does give that risk of making people "completely isolated from new people and ideas," but if used correctly the internet is a vast entity of knowledge that can truly help broaden the mind of anyone that uses it.
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