Table of
Contents:
Summary
of Chapter 7, Aspects of the Self (Turkle)
My
Reactions
Questions
and Answers
Final
Thoughts
Summary of Chapter 7, Aspects of the Self (Turkle):
In Chapter 7, Aspects of the Self, Turkle talks about how we identify our self on-line through MUDs and role-playing. In the book, she says, "It may be possible to create an illusion of decentralized participation even when power remains closely held. In terms of our views of the self, multiplicity, heterogeneity, flexibility, and fragmentation dominate current thinking about human identity." The Internet is one of the elements of the computer culture, which has contributed to thinking about identity as multiplicity. People are able to create/re-create or construct/re-construct many selves. Identity is experienced more as a set of roles that can be mixed and matched, through MUDing and role-playing.
When people MUD, users immerse themselves in a world of text rather than using hardware to immerse themselves in a world of sensations. Players create a character(s) and interact and also have relationships with other players, also in character. A character in MUD is referred to as Personae. In Latin which means "that through which the sounds come" or in other words an actor's mask. MUDs is a place for anonymous social interaction in which a user can play a role as close to or as far away from your real self as the user chooses.
Thus,
MUDs provide dramatic examples of how one can use experiences in virtual
space to play with aspects of the self.
I found
Chapter 7, a very interesting chapter to read. With my experiences
on-line, I understand and I also assume different forms of identity.
You can play a role as close to or as far away from your real self as you
choose. For me, I like to be as far away from my real self as possible.
I like the power and control that I posses when I am on-line. It
is very interesting because I do not posses these characteristics in RL
(real life). From experience in MUD sessions, I learned a lot about
myself and learned about things that I am capable of doing...in a positive
way of course. I think that MUD is healthy and that if you let your
imagination run free, you will have a positive experience and will want
to participate in more sessions.
Q: What does
Turkle mean by decentered concepts of self? Does this idea relate
to your own online experiences? (Dr. James)
A: What Turkle
means is that you assume different forms or identity in the concept of
self. This idea does relate to my own online experiences especially
when I'm role playing. I have so much power that I am able to control
people.
Q: Can MUDs be
places where individuals construct and refine identity - leading to a better
understanding and compassion rather than confusion? (Synthia)
A: Yes, I think
that individual construct and refine identity because it leads to a better
understanding of the "self". Many more people experience identity
as a set of roles that can be mixed and matched, whose diverse demands
need to be negotiated.
Q: Has your experience
with MUDing help you gain a better understanding as your "self"?
(Cindy)
A: I gained
a better understanding as my "self" with my experiences in MUD. I
learned that I take on different roles when I'm in MUD which is different
from RL (real life). I realize that I am capable of being in control
as well using that control in RL (real life).
Q: In your MUD
experience, did you assume another personality? As a newcomer, was
it easy to get into it? How did you get into it? Where did
you hear about it? Do you recommend it? (C. Newsham)
A: I would say
that I did assume another identity rather than personality. It was
difficult to get into the "groove", but as you get used to your character
and get to know other people, it gets easier. It was accidental,
because I used the MUD as a place to communicate with my friend from the
mainland, it was really neat though because I met people from all over
the country. I recommend MUDing if it is for recreational purposes.
I think that if you're out there in the MUD world to have fun, then you
will have fun. It depends upon the individual. If you like
to read a lot then MUDing might be fun for you. Let your imagination
take you away.
Q: What are the
different levels in MUDs and what powers or advantages that come with that
level? (Jayson Nakasone)
A: It depends
what MUD site you participate with. The one that I participated in,
there were 6 levels, if I recall. A newbie is considered a scoundrel
and you work your way up to a wizard. Depends on the level that you
are on, for example, if you are a wizard, you have the power to control
who MUDs in your territory. If you don't like the person/character,
then you have the power to ban them from coming back. You are also
able to take away powers from them and use them to your advantage and make
you more powerful.
Q: Do you feel
that the integration of the different aspects of self can be successfully
achieved? (Shehla Korff)
A: Yes, I believe
that integration of the different aspects of the self can be achieved whether
it's your emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual self. I think
that the more it is decentralized the better you have an understanding
of the self. Like I said earlier you are able to meet the diverse
demands of the different aspects of the self and negotiate with it.
Q: Do you think
that MUDs are good for everybody? (Wai Chong Pun)
A: I think that
MUDs are good for certain people. If you like to read and let your
imagination take over, I think that it is fun to participate in a MUD session.
When I say read, I mean serious reading because everything on the MUD is
text based. If you miss one section, you are screwed. But it
is fun...depends upon the individual and what he/she likes to do.
Q: Are MUDs same
as chat rooms? (Wing Kin Man)
A: MUDs are
different from chat rooms in that you role play in MUD and you have different
powers. It's like a game, similar to Dungeons and Dragons.
In chat rooms, you only go there to chat and talk like you would on the
phone except everything is in words rather than speaking to a person over
the phone.
I think that the only way to
find out more about MUDs is to actually participate in them. I think
that having the experience or at least trying to MUD will give you a feel
of what it is like to immerse yourself in the world of text, and not only
that, but how to let your imagination run wild. I think that if you
think positive and go into a session with a positive mind, your experience
will be beneficial to you. So go ahead and try it, you might like
it.