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Report 2

Cyber-Therapy, Driving Therapy, and Cyberspace Counter-Culture:

What does it all mean?



My Introduction
Insight into my background...

Cyber-Therapy: Help On-Line.
Summary of "Emotional Fitness"
Summary of "Emotions Manager"
The Pros and Cons of Cyber-Therapy
What I think about Cyber-Therapy

Driving Therapy: Change "#X@!**%!" to "Aloha/Mahalo"
Dr. Cohn says: Relaxation is the key.
Dr. Driving says: Education is where it's at.
What I think about Driving Therapy

Cyberspace Counter-Culture: Righteous of the mass.
Summary of "Technology and Transgression and my opinions"
Final Considerations...huh???


Introduction: Cyberspace, a look into the world it conjures.


This report is based upon my reaction to several articles and sites regarding the topics of Cyber-Therapy, Driving Therapy, and Cyberspace Counter Culture. These topics are available through the internet and are a growing area of interest.

At first glance, these topics may appear to be all talking about therapy for those with phobias or issues with computer technology, navigation through the internet and perhaps, a new culture that deals mainly with individuals who work and play within the computer system daily. This is not so.

The section on Cyber-Therapy deals with a site that offers counseling on-line. In other words, a counselor who deals with the written word on the computer rather than with individuals face-to-face. This is an interesting concept and is one I have not heard of until this course.

The section on Driving Therapy is actually about the emotional stress and individual conduct while driving an automobile. The two sites visited provide information on how to overcome or to deal with the stressors of driving in today's society.

The third section is entitled Cyberspace Counter Culture . It deals with the communities that are "rebelling" against the establishment regulating access and freedom to information. Many medias are involved in this movement to "free" the access including computer/cyberspace.

I hope you read on, I have tried to explain what the three topics are about and my perception of the average individual.



Insight into my background...

Prior to enrolling in Cyberpsychology this semester, the only forms of therapy that I have been exposed to or have knowledge about were the following:
1) counselor -to- client sessions (face-to-face);
2) group sessions, these include support groups and self-help seminars;
3) self-help books (written material);
4) advice help, these include tv shows, radio shows, newspaper columns, friends, family;
and 5) prediction type advice, these include psychic networks and horoscope columns.
I had no idea that there was a whole new venue available for individuals seeking help and that it would be through the internet.

Previous to researching these topics, I had no idea what they would cover and even my pre-conceived ideas were not on target. I had the notion that these topics would cover
1) CYBERTHERAPY: therapy for those hooked or phobic about cybertechnology,
2) DRIVING THERAPY: those with trouble navigating the internet, and
3) CYBERSPACE COUNTER-CULTURE: the culture and ideosyncracies of "computer junkies".

Boy was I wrong!

Please understand, I am not a psychology major. I am a teacher/interpreter/counselor/and an average individual who came into this class with no exposure to the internet. I work with children between the ages of 7 and 11, individuals with disabilities, and many in the visitor industry. I rely mainly on each individual's facial, body, and un-spoken language to fully understand what each person is communicating to me. What is said or written is not always what is felt by the individual. Many times I have recieved papers or answers that do not correlate with the emotion or meaning truly given but with what an individual thinks I expect.
For example, a child writes that they enjoyed the project and learned about measurement through the tasks given but when questioned or tested, the child is unable to come up with a simple answer to a measurment question that they did during the project.
Or the client who says that they are "clean" and have been off drugs for the past year but comes in unkept, dirty, woozy, with red eyes and puffy-waxy skin and says that they are fine and has been sleeping well.
Or even the visitor who is checking in to a cruise and speaks in an irritated voice but perks right up when questioned about the recent flight and where they are from. These are examples of what may be expressed but what actually is conveyed are two different things.

This is a learned skill. I was brought up in a community that dealt mainly with people with disabilities and we "learned" to communicate, even with the "normal" people with our whole selves (body, face, tone, inflection), not just our spoken words. You'd be amazed at how much a facial expression, no matter how strongly kept in check, can reveal our true emotions. I am guilty of expressing too much at times that are not appropriate even if I try to suppress them. Have you?

So, in observing the duality of existing cultures (non-disabled vs. disabled, one nationality vs. another, local vs. mainland), I have learned that non-verbal communication is essential to finding the true meanings behind the spoken word or even the written one. And it is with this background on which my views are based.


Cyber-Therapy: Help on-line.


A new type of "self-help" or "guided-therapy" is offered on-line, this includes listings of different services and agencies that are available such as testing, listing of therapists, agencies and other services on-line. This type of service is called cybertherapy.

In viewing the article and subsequent questionaires by Tom Raymond, it appears that his type of cybertherapy could be categorized within the "advice, self-help" genre. Perhaps a "dear Abby" on-line which is available to those with access to the internet.

A second site visited was provided by NetPsych and is entitled Emotions Manager. This site listed different types of assistance for different situations. Such situations may include such topics as clinical depression, employee profiles (test on individual styles, strenghts, and weaknesses), "advice" sites for specific areas (couples, child raising), and abuse counseling. This site also provides a listing of available psychologists, psychiatrists and neuropsychologists that could be found and which areas they serve as well as on-line forums to ask certified professionals about issues within their field.


Summary of "Emotional Fitness".

The article written by Tom Raymond promotes therapy through on-line connections. He believes that an individual can be "helped" by "common sense" answers to their questions and situations. Tom Raymond provides a resume that indicates that he has worked in the different areas (in traditional therapy) that he offers on-line.

This web site contains "Emotional Fitness" , an advice column. It provides access to consultations with Tom Raymond for individuals, families, couples, and those "helpers" in the service industry. The advice column has examples of individuals who sought help and samples of his replies to their questions and situations.
Consultations are based upon time HE spends typing an answer to the responses and questions you have posed to him via the questionairre he provides. His rate is $15.00 per 15 minutes and Tom Raymond claims that the average response is not more than $60.00.
It also inculdes a plug for Tom Raymond's book "Eve and Adam, Love and Intimacy in the Garden of Eden". The book is $9.95.

Emotional Fitness provides examples similar to those found in the "Dear Abby" section in the newspaper. Many of Tom Raymond's responses go into greater depth and his replies provide a summary of what he believes the situation is and breaks it down into "common sense" pieces that are resolvable. In other words he takes apart the situation so that the participants may resolve each piece one by one thus resolving the whole situation that may have been "too big to handle" or "too complicated" as a whole.

Tom Raymond bases his "common sense" approach and therapy on the "participation theory". This theory states that all situations, the individual personality, and how one reacts to each situation is a result of the interaction with others, "participating with other human beings".

Sanity is defined by Tom Raymond as "a measurement of how well an individual gets along with others". In other words, a person's ability to interact with others on many levels including business, school, personal, and impersonal situations. It is how each person "deals" with the interactions and this relates to how "sane" we feel about ourselves and the situations we encounter. Sanity is a learned trait not an inherited one.

The second section to Tom Raymond's theory is entitled "love vs. intimacy". Here, his theory defines this concept as "love" being something each person could do "by ourselves" while "intimacy" would require a camaraderie with "a partner". He goes on to explain that this is a difference that each person must understand in order to engage in successful relationships. Knowing what certain feelings are and how to catogorize them aids in the understanding of the self and of the self in relationships. This understanding would forstall many difficult situations that are brought about by misunderstandings, frustrations, and complications of interaction within a relationship.

"Getting along" is the next section Tom Raymond added to his theory. Explained as "every relationship must answer the same two questions - what are we going to do and how are we going to do it?", it reflects the mentality behind each individual and thier judgements on each relationship. Each individual must decide, at any given time, if they would like to pursue a relationship (not necessarily a romantic one, it may be a business, aquaintance, or friendship as well) or not. Aided by past experiences (interaction with others) and the lessons learned with each one, an individual then makes decisions based upon thier interpersonal histories that affect their future relationships.
Adjustment is the main idea to active working relationships in every aspect of life. Tom Raymond believes tha we are constantly learning and honing our skills at "adjustments" with others. It is sort of like a coordinated ritual dance using words, the body, and expressions. One that everyone learns how to do as they go along in life.

The next section that Tom Raymond includes in his theory is the one entitled "competence vs. pretending". Here he explains that stress is caused by situations that individuals are not "equiped" to handle. The "tools" that are required are not present or have not been learned yet so each individual encounters stress/stressors and then "pretends" or bluffs their way out of a situation.
Everyone is not entirely prepared to deal with every type of situation that will occur over a lifetime, some are more so than others. Over time, each person aquires more and more "tools" in which they may use in similar situations and would be less inclined to "fake" their way through interactions with other individuals.

The last section is the "reality" section. Here Tom Raymond states that in each relationship or situation, a third member is always present, "the world". No one lives in a vacumme. Each day, hour, minute, second is diffrent and will be forever due to the dynamic factors acting and reacting in it. There may be similar situations throughout your lifetime but none will be exactly the same. Each person must keep this in mind, even strangers are interconnected somehow.

Tom Raymond's ideas and their value to his "participation theory" is based on "common sense" and basic ideation. They are straightforward and very simplistic in their explanation of human behavior and the reasons behind it.



Summary of "Emotions Manager".

This site is not written by one individual but is a combined work of many sites (linked to this one) and facilities that provide services on-line and references to on-line or off-line services.
This web site is sponsored by NetPsych . Instead of one individual's work at the "Emotions Manager" site, there are links to many therapists and a listing of therapists and the field they work in, listings for agencies in different fields and services offered, as well as listings for sites that provide testing through the internet for various topics such as personality rating, employment stregnths and weaknesses, and intellegence tests.

Here, you not only will find access to "advice" help such as that offered by Tom Raymond, but also links to agencies that are geared for abuse, child raising, trauma, sexual abuse, violence, and even connections to professionals who gather to discuss specific situations and share knowledge.

There are some charges for services rendered but most are for tests taken on-line and subscriptions. Most of the services are free and offered through national agencies that are specifically founded for public assistance.


The Pros and Cons of Cyber-Therapy.

There are several positive aspects of on-line Cyber-Therapy.

The therapy is available 24 hours a day. A person may type their questions or situation to the "therapist" at any time that is convenient to them. And the answer will be accessible to that person at any time they choose to access it.
Service is available almost immediately. A person does not have to wait for an appointment that may be days or weeks away depending on how busy the therapist's schedule may be.
A person is able to access "help" when they are ready and available. There are times when the regular 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. office hours are not convenient or accessible for those in the work force.

The service is mainly anonomous. A therapist may ask the gender, race, age, sexual preference or other identifying or categorizing labels but a person may choose not to respond to those particular questions. In a face-to-face situation, anonymity regarding these questions (race, gender, age) is not an option.
Although you provide your basic etiology to the "therapist", you don't have to go to an office where someone may see you or recognize you. This is considered a major consideration to some people who still feel that there is a stigma to seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor. Also, a person does not have to be accountable for time spent at an office with other members of their family.
Also, there is no bias regarding gender, race, age, sexual preferance, or the like through the internet. This information can be held by the patient or client and not revealed unless they want it to be. Although Dr. Raymond requests this information in his questionaire, a person is able to withhold information at will.

There is no physical contact. Although in the small minority, some therapists do take advantage of their clients physically, emotionally, and sometimes psychologically. There is no chance of a therapist taking physical advantage of a patient through the internet.

However, there are also negative points that go along with Cyber-Therapy .

Therapy is not personalized. There is a certain quality of rapport that goes along with face-to-face contact. The "therapist" gets to "know" the individual and can adjust their approach to each client. There are some individuals that require a gentle touch (round-about counseling, slowly and gradually moving towards a goal) while others require straight and blunt answers and directions. This is difficult to provide with on-line service. The written word sometimes can be misleading in the tone or voice of a person and their personality. Not everyone is skilled in expressing their views effectively through the written word.

On-Line Therapy is not for in-depth service. It is difficult to work through complex situations and problems. Some individuals will require extensive treatment which cannot be solved with "common sense" answers. These individuals may be referred to other "therapists" and may be encouraged to attend face-to-face sessions.

As for other forms of psychological therapy are regulated or at least monitored and have systems of accountablility when questions arise. For example, a therapist has the board of psychology or psychiatry to answer to while a newspaper column or radio show have their advisors/lawyers/administration to regulate audience response. They are accounted for by their superiors. How would or is cybertherapy therapists accounted for?

What about confidentiality? Yes, a therapist may not provide access or actual names when giving examples of cases they worked on. However, if government security codes can be broken into by "hackers" can't therapists' cases or files be accessed if an individual really wanted access? Yes, this is also possible for regular therapists, but usually they are written case files and to access them an individual would have to break into an office, with physical presence in a secure location. A "hacker" could access a file from their own home or computer source. Food for thought.
Another issue regarding confidentiality would be the "examples" provided by Dr. Raymond. Although the names were deleted and substitute labels given, did the "patients" give permission for this to be allowed, and how would they provide permission if a legal signature with notary is usually required for "advertizing" or "public access" regarding private case notes?

How is a "patient" to know that the person on the other side of the computer line a true "therapist". Ethical code states that this is an assured fact but there are also un-ethical or jokers out there on each side of the keyboard. Also, how is a therapist to know that the "patient" is not a joker out to have fun at the therapist's expense? Well, for the therapist, the code of ethics stand if they are certified and degreed. However, a "patient" must pay for the time they use so most jokers wouldn't do that unless payment was delayed somehow, like through the mail.

What I think about Cyber-Therapy.

I found Tom Raymond's site to be interesting and similar to an advice column. Upon research, I found many more sites that offer the same type of service for fee. His philosophy was refreshing in a society where much of the population is complex (the more the better) and/or under the "victimization" ideation. His "Participation Theory" comes across as a simplistic and fundamental view of basic courtesy, simplistic thought processes, and basic old fashioned values. In other words, common sense.
However, in his examples of clients and his responses, I found him to be sarcastic or a bit off grain in his humor. I am not sure that I would request advice from such a person. In this case, tact and simple straightforward advice is preferred to his humor (ex: Denile as the Nile).

I believe that I would be more inclined to seek out "self help" and research therapists in the NetPsych site (s). There I am able to choose and research to my heart's content and find someone who I would be comfortable with. Also, there are sites where questions are welcomed by a panal of professionals or agencies that deal with specific concerns.
I would also be more inclined to seek this site due to the several available sites that provide free access to individuals that could answer my specific technical linguistic questions, such as the Mental Health Encyclopedia. I found it to be more professional and provided a large range of sites that would meet different needs.

Cybertherapy provides many different venues within the internet for those who seek help. For advice and test ratings (personality, employment skill stregnths/weaknesses, intellegence, etc.) I find that the internet is a wonderful way to "self-help" with "guidance".

I believe, however, that it is necessary in the majority of cases for people to have face-to-face contact with a therapist in order to combat or resolve the conflict/disability/situation in their lives. People express so much through tone and body language that is not conveyed through mere words alone.
For example: Let's say a person is assigned a project with another person. The first individual says "I am really looking forward to working with you on the project." What do they really mean? Let's look at three examples with indications of tone and body language.
1) A person says the line in a pleasant and enthusiastic tone, the person maintains eye contact, body is slightly tilted forward and person is smiling. In this case, the person really means what is said.
2) A second person says the line in a lower tone with sarcasm lacing the words, eyes are rolling, body is leaning slightly backwards and person has arms crossed in front of them. In this case, the person doesn't mean the words. The person does not want to work with the other individual and has judged the situation to be unpleasant.
3) A third person says the line in a flat monotone, avoids eye contact, body is turned away from the listener. In this case, it appears that the person does not want to do the project, does not want to work with the other person, and finds the work boring and tedius.

So much more can be conveyed and expressed honestly face-to-fact. As Professor Albert Mehrabian (UCLA) discovered in his study of the human interaction, believability lies in the "three V's" of conveying messages. A surprising 93% of conveyance is due to the "voice" (tone, 38%) and the "visual" (body language and expression, 55%). The remaining 7% is conveyed via the "verbal" (words used).
This finding supports my feelings regarding communication. Since I work with Deaf individuals, I find that even with interactions with "hearing" people, I tend to watch their expressions and body language for their meanings rather than listen to the words. The face and body show more than people want expressed. Haven't you ever gotten mad at someone and didn't want it to show but you found yourself crossing your arms or narrowing your eyes or even lowering and sharpening the tone of your voice? Try it. Watch someone and their emotions or perhaps watch television without the sound. Can you tell what people are feeling and what is going on without the sound cues and words? It is really eye-opening. (My sister pulled this on me the first 15 years of my life, television got to be very interesting when you didn't hear the dialogue...sometimes the "real" action wasn't in the word play but in the body language displayed.)

Cyber-Therapy is a growing field and I do believe that this type of therapy is useful to those who actively seek help and who want to improve their current situations. However, I do not believe that this venue would be appropriate for many of the complex cases that deal with compound problems, deep emotional problems, mental disabilities, and personality disorders. In these cases I feel that therapists need to monitor the individuals in what they say and how they behave (statement and intent). Accountablility for the therapist as well as for the client is preferable.



Change "#X@!**%!" to "Aloha/Mahalo"


Have you ever been on the road and find yourself swearing and getting upset because another car "cut you off"? Well, therapy is available if you want help to overcome this disability, and it is on-line.

The two sites visited were written by Dr. Cohn and Dr. Driving (Dr. Leon James). Both provide insight into their solutions to driving in today's society. Each takes a different approach to reacting and preparing for the "hazards of driving" on the highways and byways of the modernized world.


What Dr. Cohn Says: Relaxation is the key.

Dr. Cohn's site "Tips from 'the Driving Therapist'" deals mainly with relaxation techniques to help the individual "cope" with the stressors of driving. At times it appears that Dr. Cohn's site is an infomercial plugging the "driving tapes".
Dr. Cohn focuses on the ways people can remove stressors or the feelings of pressure from their lives. He suggests the following:
1) an appropriate diet; no caffine, sugars, salts, and alcohol
2) knowing yourself; getting a physical and knowing what you need to control, righting the abnormalities of your body (ex: high blood pressure, low sodium and low fat diet)
3) knowing what stress is; know the symptoms of stress, recognize them, stop them from overwhelming your body
4) Be in the Now ; being aware of the present and exerting control over your "present"
5) be aware; be a defensive driver, look-listen-prepare, even if it is over your individual self (self-control), Dr. Cohn provides tips such as how to change lanes properly or preparing ahead while driving as well as relaxation tips for making a potential stressful drive into a pleasant one
6) affirmations; repeating "mantras" and positive ideas.



What Dr. Driving Says: Education is where it's at.

Dr. Driving's site provides insights into the individual driver's mentalitiy and offers tips to change that "driver or dragon personality" that emerges on the road to a personality of a rational and humane individual.

Dr. Driving has a section that lists symptoms and reactions that help a person find out what kind of driver they are. In other words, how "mad" a person gets at others while driving on the highways and byways in their automobile.
Once a person finds their catogory, using the tips under his section "Psychological Principals" may help change a person's way of thinking. This section provides tips to help the individual combat their "anger" or "road rage" . It may allow the person to accept a calmer demeanor, the "Aloha Spirit".

Dr. Driving strives to educate the driver about conquering the "driver dragon" inside and to self-modify their mode of thinking. Education about basic driving techniques, human characteristics (the other person's point of view, making human mistakes like not paying perfect attention or zoning out, and not taking things as personal attacks on the self), and tips to overcome the feeling of being "attacked" or "insulted" by others who also may be just exposing their human characteristics is the key to a relaxful and perhaps enjoyable drive.


What I think about Driving Therapy.

Dr. Cohn provides good tips to think about. Basically changing how we think and controlling how we feel during driving. We are in control over how we let stressors and anxieties affect our feelings while driving.

However, I am not sure that I would whole-heartedly accept Dr. Cohn's philosophy about relaxation during driving. Let me explain: After I listened to Dr. James in class talking about the "driving tapes", I convinced three of my friends to participate in an experiment. Each of us took part in half hour slots, rotating "jobs". The first person was the driver and wore earplugs. The second person was the navigator and the person that listened to the "relaxation steps" in Dr. Cohn's article. The third person read the article and the steps. The fourth person observed and changed the music and set the route (coordinated with the driver) that was unknown to the navigator. This was an interesting experiment!
At the end of two hours we discussed what we felt and thought during the experiment. It was not very good. All four of us could remember the first few minutes of the drive, then we drew a blank. None of us could remember the music played or the path we took to get from one point to the next during our turn as "navigator". We all felt too relaxed and totally zoned out while riding. I am glad we didn't do this while actually steering the car.

As a result, I believe that Dr. Cohn has valid ideas, but perhaps not to the extent that is presented. The four of us enjoyed Dr. Cohn's relaxation techniques but have agreed to confine our "relaxation" time to stationary locations.


The Dr. Driving site provides excellent tips to think about regarding changing the inner self in relation to driving and our driving perspectives. However, this only works if the person recognizes a problem with their driving, seeks help, and willing and actively works towards changing their driving perspectives.

Recently, there was a show on driving anxiety and a lot of their initial tips were similar to those Dr. Driving provided. The therapist on the show took the sessions one step further, however, and worked with the individual with acute anxiety to actually drive through those places or situations that caused the anxiety. Clients soon developed the confidence to drive on their own. Education and physical support can have a great influence on how a person reacts to stressful situations.

I enjoyed reading Dr. Driving's site and found myself evaluating all the drivers I came into contact with, even those on the road. It got to be quite interesting especially after explaining what I was doing to family and friends driving with me. We examined our own driving attitudes and skills and now find that we evaluate those we encounter on the road. It has really made us aware of what is out there and how people react to one another. Has it changed us? Yes, I think we are more inclined to wave our "Aloha" to those we meet on the highways and byways of Hawaii.

I feel that driving therapy on-line can only work if the individuals who get upset, frustrated, irritated, and down right mad at others, want and seek help. On-line therapy is one way of providing tips for those who seek help and want to remain anonomous. Let's face it, who wants others to know that they need to have help or tips on controlling their emotions or trained adverse responses in everyday driving or even acknowledge that they may have symptoms of the "driving dragon"? Not very many people I know are that open with themselves or others around them.

I feel that a combination of extensive education and some relaxation techniques would be ideal. Education before an individual is allowed to obtain a permit, a practice and training course with professionals and a learning period before allowing an individual to obtain a license, and refresher courses (required) periodically throughout a driver's experience would be beneficial. Education in combination with some relaxation techniques would be taught as driver awareness. Sometimes soothing music (popped in when a gridlock is encountered), a "learned" attitude about the Aloha spirit and awareness of self emotions affecting your own driving, and basic common sense rules like leaving 15 minutes earlier than normal and "do unto others" needs to be remembered by all those who drive.

Due to an increasing number of reports on the growing number of accidents due to speeding, drunk driving, and road rage violence, you would think that those reasons would be the main ones for causing driver anxiety. Not true. Human error and misjudgements are the main reason for driver anxiety. Think about it. When was the last time you encountered a drunk driver? How about someone "sane" who changed lanes without putting their blinker on or someone who drove at varying speeds in the same lane, perhaps daydreaming or someone who was talking to their passenger and strayed into your lane? I don't know about you, but I see this type of human characteristics every day.

I am not discounting speeding, drunk driving, or road rage, I still think of those factors when I am driving. However, the majority of the time, I worry about those people who are busy dialing and talking on their cellular phones, talking to passengers, reading papers (maps or sometimes books during rush hour), eating, switching lanes a lot because they want to "get ahead", or those who don't really know how to exit or enter the freeway. I am more likely to encounter these drivers than a drunk, racer, or driver consumed by road rage.

A solution? Maybe education regarding basic rules and refresher courses should be mandatory and licenses should be revolked if they don't pass. Driving is a privalege not a right. Yes, it would be tedius to go every few years to pass a driving test. But, I for one wouldn't mind going through it to ensure that all those driving were educated and "safe" drivers.

I am far from a perfect driver. I do feel that I am a conscientious driver since I have seen those close to me affected by "road rage", inconsiderate drivers, racers, the average driver, and especially the drunk drivers. Living on the mainland for four years and having traveled by car to many states, Canada, and Mexico, I have learned that basic courtesy is greatly appreciated and welcomed.

In defense of drivers, I must say that it is only a few encountered on the road that make driving nerve wrecking at times. The majority of drivers that I have encountered on my daily commute and traveling have been pleasant, helpful, and courteous.

Did you know that in some rural areas on the mainland people actually raise their hands off the steering wheel just a bit to wave, they don't know you, but say "hello, I see you, have a nice day". Just like in Hawaii, some people acknowledge you for letting them in your lane to say thank you or hello. And even in the most populated, and perhaps prejudiced areas (yes, there are still some of those in America) people will stop and help, don't expect anything in return, even if they become late for work or getting home.

It is these pleasantries that sustains me when I see someone staring at another with "stink eye", making angry faces, gesturing (not nicely) and using their car to "get back" at others (gun engine, tailgate, box another car in, drive extra close to doors). I think this is silly. To "get back" at others for cutting in or driving too close, I drive by, smile, and wave. Sometimes just that gets the other driver to smile and wave too. Maybe they were just having a bad day and wasn't paying attention and even if they were being a "dragon driver", sometimes it makes them think about their actions. At least, I hope it does.

Aloha is present, sometimes you have to look for it.

We do not own the road, it is not ours for the taking or ruling, show Aloha .


Cyberspace Counter Culture: Righteous of the Mass.


This was a difficult topic to address. At first I thought this topic had something to do with a new culture that was emerging from individuals who utilized the computer and the internet frequently, a sort of sub-culture. For example, the U.S. is made up of Americans and there are many sub-cultures within that heading such as Asian-Americans, African-Americans, and Indian-American. This is not what Cyberspace Counter Culture addresses.

Cyberspace Counter Culture addresses those individuals who believe that access to information via the technology of radio, computers, scanners and the like, should be "free". In a way, they are the liberals of the "free world".

Summary of "Technology and Transgression and my opinions".

The article by Steve Mizrach entitled "Technology and Transgression" talks about the different types of "transgressors" or righteous people who fight for their cause, the right to access of information. Mainly his article defines the different terminology and separates them into categories by type of media they specialize in.

* * * * * * * * * *

The first category is entitled the "radio underground". It deals with a topic that has been around since the beginning to radio technology and it seems that now people are getting involved on a larger scale.

The underground is split into three sections. The first two are similar. One group is called the "scanner freaks", people who listen or eavesdrop on conversations either on the cellular phones or perhaps emergency services frequencies to obtain information about what is going on. The second is called "clandestine listeners", people who listen but do not transmit messages. These people tend to seek the hard to find frequencies that harbor "top-secret" information such as locations of military sites or covert operations.
I believe this was not only brought about by anti-government groups but also by the surge of "action packed-informative" television programs such as America's Most Wanted, Cops, Rescue 9-1-1, and similar programs. People were given the insight into an area that was previously encoded for service workers only, now that they have been informed, they want to know what is going on in their own neighborhoods. Media's philosophy of "the public needs to know" is now taken one step further.

The third section is composed of people called "pirate or micropower radio broadcasters" or people who broadcast messages to large groups illicitly. Sometimes the messages mock the FCC for "selling" air space and time.
Upon searching the internet, I found many sites that discussed "micropower radio broadcasters" and their concerns. One that caught my eye was entitled "Victory for Micropower Broadcasting -- Historic Defeat for the FCC". Here the article stated that the FCC was prevented from stopping a broadcast due to constitutional concerns. This was the first ruling of it's kind. It was interesting to see that many people are legally going through the system to fignt for their "right" to free broadcasting.

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The second category Steve Mizrach talks about is the "computer underground". Here with the technology of computers, "freedom" of access is highly challenged. There are those who believe in the concepts of "property rights" and the charge for "secure" programs or information. On the other side are the "cryptoanarchists", "hackers", "virologists", and "phreaks".

"Cryptoanarchists" create programs to hide their identity and transmissions. They want complete anonymity from the government or structured organizations.
This definition reminds me of the militia groups who want to set up their own government covertly. The internet would be an accessible way to keep in contact with other members around the world.

"Virologists" find enjoyment in creating new viruses that attack other people's work, programs, or games.
This sounds like a mad scientist in the old black and white films who develops a new strain of disease to infect people just because he can.

"Phreaks" are people who believe in total communication freedom for everyone at all times.
I don't know what to make of this. Total communication is accessible but I don't think I would like my medical or school records out for anyone to see, and I especially don't appreciate my financial records available for public access.

The last section, "hackers" is a great and broad one. These include those who find pleasure in finding ways to access confidential, secure, or private information. Sometimes they share that information, sometimes the pleasure of just breaking a code provides the hacker with a mental high.
In surfing the internet, I found that the term "hacker" is a popular one and one of those categories that is widely talked about on the internet. I am reminded of the hackers caught a few years ago after they broke into a renown computer security programmer's personal files and, on a more common level, those who "share" programs that a person would normally have to purchase for each computer.
I was surprised to see an article about "Hacker Ethics". This site also defined the termanology stated in Steve Mizrach's article and added a few of their own. It went further to explain the actual "ethics" of hackers and the types of documents they like to access. There is also "old hacker ethics" versus the "new hacker ethics". Mostly, ethics for hackers remind me of "honor among theives". If you have the time, this site makes for interesting reading.

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The third section is entitled "musical transgressors". Here technology has created a new sound, a new type of music that can be intergrated into the "old" traditional sound, use the "old" sound to produce new music, or take "old" music and make it sound like new.
There are many examples of this type of music varying from the retouched music of Nat King Cole where his daughter Natalie Cole sings with him (Nat King Cole has been dead for over 25 years), to "samplings" of the "old" style music intergrated into rap, to digital music (samples on the computer to music created only with digital technology).

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The next category Steve Mizrach touches on is called the "modern primatives". Those placed in this category are called "high-tech nomads", "body artists", "cyborg artists", and "zippies".
This category is difficult to understand but I believe that it is made up of people who believe that living the way they do is a statement against the industrialization of life and the movement towards a more natural way of living.
Their believes may include body piercing, tattooing, emulating "art" on the body (the ultimate canvas), adding "cyborg" items to the body (via surgery), and a optimal view of life. There is even a site where you can find out what "Zippies" are, how they live, what they eat, how they dress, where they hang out, what music they listen to, and the type of media they use.
To me, in reading the article about Zippies, I found that basically their philosopy is similar to the Hippies of the 1960's with technological advances added in that aid in information receiving and giving, intellectual pursuits, and seeking other zippies..

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The next category is entitled "Occult technologists". Basically, anything that is not "seen" and deals with "mind control" is included in this category. Steve Mizrach defines the occult technologists as to be those who are interested in alternative medicine, EVP researchers (using electronic technology to communicate with those who have died), UFOlogists, and various cults. Here the use of technology to further the research or beliefs of those in this group is both interesting and strange.
Because this category has been in the news so much lately, it is not surprising to lock on to the internet and find so many sites about cults. I tried several times to access the "heaven's gate" site but could not gain entrance. Perhaps when all the hype has died down, access to view the site will be possible. It is curious how so many people were recruited via the internet.

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The sixth category Steve Mizrach touches onis the definition of "media culture-jammers". The concept includes taking "normal" forms of media or technology and changing it into parodies of their true self.
This creates confusion and irritation to a normal user or producer of programs but sometimes it creates humor (as in Weird Al Yankovic) if created and used unmaliciously.

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The next category is the section on "neuronauts". Here information via the computer/internet/cyberspace and advanced technology can be created to addict the mind.
Virtual reality is now "addicting" surfers to the pleasures of the artificial life. Virtual fantisies and games are now addicting to the user.
In another case, technology is used to create designer drugs. New drugs that are chemically different from the "normal" drugs are now being created to avoid prosecution by the law. Since these drugs are not of the same make-up as those listed available for prosecution, they are technically "legal" to sell and make.
One designer drug made the news. Apparantly, after ingesting this drug, users were rendered unable to move or talk. Frozen in a state of unreachable conciousness. Later, researchers found that these "frozen addicts" showed the signs of parkinsons disease and used the drug to locate the neurotransmitters affected by the disease and created a new way of researching cures or remedies for those suffering from parkinsons.

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The last category is entitled "electronic eroticians". Here, sex in cyberspace is possible and happening, indirectly of course. In this case, technology is used to mass market products which include sex games and sex related programs. Who knows, maybe this will lead to people purchasing or creating prototype robots who may engage in physical acts with humans.

Final Considerations: huh???.


In looking back over this past semester, this course made me look into myself and evaluate my values and beliefs and took me one step further. I am not only utilizing the computer but projecting myself as well. It is not as anonomous as I initally thought.

People are able to access other people, professionals, seek help and help themselves if they so wish. People can network, buy and sell products, and find others (adoptions, lost friends, family). People can also use the internet, cyberspace, to learn new things instead of having to read publications that may be "out of date" by the time they become available. Time is changing and changing fast, the media venue provided by the internet is as close to immediate as a person can get.

At first I had not considered the psychological ramifications of cyberspace, the internet, on-line communities and the various things one encounters on the computer. It is a facinating world that is now beginning to open up to me.

Whole communities that I thought were only intellectual or topical groups (report 1) are now expanded to include a sub-culture that derives from the cyberspace technology. Who knew that there was a whole new culture out there that also included a culture group that rebelled against the "norm" using cyberspace as their communication, their advertizement, their connection to express their views.

The future of cybersapce and technology is just beginning. We are just realizing what can be done with it and how it can be used to connect the world. Soon technology will take us into a place most of us can not even phanthom. Like years ago when our parents and grandparents could not even dream of a day when people with liver, kidney, and heart disease could survive for years after diagnosis, now people survive with the aid of technolgical advances such as dialysis, transplants, pace-makers, and lazer surgeries. What does our future hold? Who knows, now it seems that the sky is no limit for the technologies that cyberspace has opened up.

The first report opened the door to cyberspace, the second, the door to what is actually available and the different developments that arise from the internet phenomena.

Vive the inventors and the seekers of what is beyond the sky!



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