Psychology 409 Oral ReportInto to Life On the Screen by Jason Thompson
Sherry Turkle, Life on the screen Introduction
| Summary of chapter |
| Questions and Answers about Intro |
| My reactions |
| Comparison Classmates vs. I |
| What I’d tell the next unlucky soul |
| Book FaQs |
Turkle Sherry, Life on the screen. Touchstone New York, N.Y. ; 1995
| Summary of chapter |
The book talks about how the computer changes the way we think, the nature of our sexuality and the form of our communities. Daily many people use the internet to access their mail, to make reservations and to find out info. on the latest movies and their times. Turkle talks about how we change our identities and the way we interact with one another on the computer. This ability to change ones identity is due to anonymity on screen. You can present yourself to someone in any way you want. Like wearing a mask at a halloween party. Sexuality has been included in these new personalities. Cybersex has evolved. Many people engage in cybersex with other people on chat lines or in chat room. Chat rooms allow people to talk to one another in a group or in separate rooms on a one on one basis. Cybersex usually takes place in separate private chat rooms. The computer has also created new communities of people who frequent chat rooms or reply to one another via email. People from all over the world can access one another and build relationships.
One aspect of online communities are MUD’s (multi user domains). These MUD’s are usually games where many users converge and participate. On these MUD’s people can assume a new physical, emotional, or intellectual identity.
Turkle also talks a little about addiction and how users talk about their experiences on the computer. She has a quote from a frequent on line user who states that R.L. is "just one more screen". R.L. being real life has become just one more window to this person.
In conclusion this book is not about computers and the internet but instead, the intense relationships people have with computers.
Questions and Answers about Intro
One student asked "What do you believe are possible effects of seeing R.L. as just another window? Well I feel that it is possible for some people. I think that this type of view will really limit ones perception of the world. I see it similarly to television. One views the world through others eyes. Those others being the ones who created the television show or the web page. Also, there could be problems with how you perceive others when not on line due to the fact that many people change their identities online. Many students wanted to know exactly what a Mud is and how can you access them. Muds consist of any site like a chat room where many people can access and participate in an activity all at once. Some muds are game sites where many players can participate, create identities, weapons, and such. Professor James asked me would I consider playing muds? Why or why not? I am intrigued with multi user domains very much. I have not played one yet. I have participated in chat rooms though. I want to participate in a game that many off my coworkers participate in nitely. The game is called tribes. I hear it has very great graphics and is very indept and complex. Unfortunately I am unable to play because I need a 3D video card. One student asked me can new identities be harmful to an individual? Well, I feel that the answer is yes and no. Everyday I assume different identities in different ways. I wake up in the morning and go to school. I act like a student. I then come home and go to work. At work I need to act like a waiter. My professional side comes out. Creating new and different identities can be good to react to different situations. New identities can be harmful when they interfere with your normal daily routine. Acting like a teenager at work, would not be appropriate.
| My reactions |
I have to agree with almost all of what Turkle says in her introduction. I personally don't have much experience with online activities in which I change my identity and or create a new one. I do feel however that participating in any activity in which there is complete or almost complete anonymity can lesson your inhibitions. I remember when I first came to Oahu to go to school. I didn't know anyone in the dorm. I found myself acting different with different people I met. I was being someone different than my old self that my good friends knew me as on Maui. Its not the same but it had the same effect on me that I feel many people have on the internet. It allowed me to open up much more socially. It had a good effect. I think that if this happens to you on the computer then it is positive. I understand that there could be negative effects also.
Comparison Classmates vs. I
Unfortunately I haven't seen others pages yet. But I am confident that others will publish great oral projects. So I better practice html to make my project more beautiful. I have just come back to comment that other student have finished their reports and I feel that each student has done a pretty good job. Many are better and I will learn from that in my Oral2 report hopefully my report will be better.
What I’d tell the next unlucky soul
Well for the next generation what could I tell you that would help you with Dr. James class. Run, and fast for that matter Nah. Open your mind for one thing. This computer thing is A O.K. , but it does take a lot of time and patience. One other thing don't procrastinate like I did. It doesn't help much.
My Report1: (Online communities)
My Report2: (Psychology of computer virues)