Long Live the New Flesh »
Who are we in a digital sense? Online we perceive others differently, as interpreted by a series of images and text that wouldn’t be logically presented in a real life format. Often we construct our bodies online creating an identity that we control and manipulate — some identities are truer than others.
How does our existence vary from who we are on and off screen? One could argue you are what you become, and if feigning a characteristic online were done consistently then eventually it would become a part of that individual. Therefore an online persona is an extension of a dormant personality. On the other hand, it is easier to fake who we are not.
To what extent do we become part of the screen and fuse with our formulated online identities? We are a generation defined by our blogs, our phones, our laptops, our televisions, our iPod’s and our digital interests. There is almost an obsessive quality in having all aspects of ourselves as close to the online world as possible. We carry a piece of our digital fingerprint where ever we go.
Could a screen be compared to an eye that looks on into another world? Is this eye omnipotent or is it limited? We make ourselves and destroy ourselves on a whim with little or no repercussions online. Yet there are still standards, netiquette and ways to behave within different circles. We are still controlled by our environment — a huge irony that contradicts the freedom of the internet.
I’ve been thinking of similar things lately. Like, how I am perceived online compared to how my friends see me. I’ve even resorted to asking online people, and offline people questions about me, so I can compare answers and find out if I am portraying myself online in an honest fashion.
That sounded quite profound to me. I too have wondered the same in that is how I’m perceived on-line the same or different to how I really am in my ‘real’ off-line life? Probably yes, as some things I don’t discuss on-line and vica versa.
Interesting. I do realise a difference in personality, in terms of my offline and online life. Good post :).
I think any differences in who I am online are simply because of those I’m surrounded by in the online world. Yes, I act differently around different groups in real life – online is just an extension of that.
I don’t think there is, as you said, a lot more freedom online. After all, when you post something on the Web, it’s not just for yourself. You’re expecting some sort of audience, some interaction, something…
I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned no repercussions. I believe that in itself is what can allow a person to be more open as well as more of who they want to be, rather then who they truly are, without much harm. If I wanted to portray myself as a 19 year old girl from Florida, I could. Even though in reality I’m 25 from California (flash backs of youtube and the whole drama come to mind).
I might be wrong in my view, but I believe one of the issues in being apart of the internet generation is that as much as it should be a tool for education and understanding, It is also a means for self promotion and at times a means to gaining self-esteem. Think about the purpose of a blog, what is it’s goal? to get ones thoughts and opinions out there on a global scale. With what desired result? Interaction? Commendation? Acceptance? I guess for each person it might be different, there might be a genuine desire to inform people but in seeing what I have in the 7/8 years I’ve been “online” it’s all about popularity and who’s connected to who. So in the end as much as it might allow for a difference in the way things are put out and the rate of how and who it reaches the core of it is the same as “real life”.
If that makes any sense. it’s 2am clarity at this point doesn’t exist lol!