I found the Myspace age article interesting. I think it has an older audience for two reasons.
The first is its popularity. It's one of the most well-known social websites. This causes it to draw larger crowds. This also makes people who are new to the whole "internet socialization" community to flock to the most well-known example.
Another reason is Myspace's ease of use. My girlfriend makes extensive use of Myspace. It's not uncommon for her to check it really quick when we're spending time together. One thing I noticed about Myspace when compared to Facebook is how much easier it is to use. It took me time to sort through the varuous functions and utilities of Facebook and I found myself wishing it had been Myspace as it seemed much easier to navigate.
I think this is why alot of older people settle for Myspace. It's easy to navigate and well-known.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
What's Your Name?
Something has been bothering me lately. More and more, I get asked the simple line "What's your name?". I answer either my generic online moniker or my character's name if I am playing a game. Then I get asked "No, I mean your real name." I do not know people over the Internet and I don't feel comfortable giving out my real name.
In response to this, people often become belligerent with me. They often give me their name, and again reiterate their desire to know my real name. I remind them that I never asked for their name and they handed theirs out freely; this does not mean that I am obligated to do the same. By this point disparaging remarks are thrown at me, ranging from expletives to insults.
Is it really that offensive to people to not be given a real name? Do they assume I think negatively of them? Is my reluctance to give out personal information really considered tacky enough as to give me attitude about it?
Does anyone else have this problem?
In response to this, people often become belligerent with me. They often give me their name, and again reiterate their desire to know my real name. I remind them that I never asked for their name and they handed theirs out freely; this does not mean that I am obligated to do the same. By this point disparaging remarks are thrown at me, ranging from expletives to insults.
Is it really that offensive to people to not be given a real name? Do they assume I think negatively of them? Is my reluctance to give out personal information really considered tacky enough as to give me attitude about it?
Does anyone else have this problem?
Monday, September 15, 2008
Online Identity
One aspect that continues to fascinate me is online identity. Why is this? People are often rude and disrespectful online. When confronted, I hear, all too often, that "people can't see me in real life. I can do what I want and you can't stop me." The sad truth is that these people are often right. They can be or act whoever and however they want. People have the option to be as anonymous or open as they like.
They don't have to fill in a profile. They don't have to take a digital camera and upload a picture of themselves. Who is to say the information they provide is authentic anyways?
This brings me to facebook. I recall one of our articles mentioned that Facebook kinda prides itself on making sure our identity is authentic. I like this feature, as it makes being rude and disrespectful harder to do when users know more about you.
They don't have to fill in a profile. They don't have to take a digital camera and upload a picture of themselves. Who is to say the information they provide is authentic anyways?
This brings me to facebook. I recall one of our articles mentioned that Facebook kinda prides itself on making sure our identity is authentic. I like this feature, as it makes being rude and disrespectful harder to do when users know more about you.
Online Brow-beating
One thing became apparent to me very quickly when I first started online socialization: There is a ton of electronic brow-beating.
People are very quick to bully and brow-beat you. My experiences from the World of Warcraft (which is where a majority of my online interaction takes place) have taught me this. This is a fantasy game, set in the same vein as Lord of the Rings. Users create a character, whether it be a warrior, wizard, healer, thief, etc. The charatcer I created is a Paladin, a mix between a plate-armour wearing warrior and the titular healing class, the priest. I quickly learned this was a mistake.
A quick side note about the World of Warcraft: The game is broken up into two factions, the Alliance (comprised of humans, dwarves, elves and gnomes) and the Horde (comprised of Orcs, Trolls, Undead, corrupted elves, and a race of walking bulls known as Tauren). There are two ways to play the game. Players can band together and storm dungeons run by computer controlled monsters. The other way is to band together and fight other enemy faction players in various battlegrounds. These battlegrounds could be classic king-of-the-hill or capture-the-flag battles, or players could enter a pictched battle of 40 vs 40. There were also specialized arena battles of teams of 5 and under.
Anyways, about 3 months or so into my Paladin's career, I was constantly hounded for not strictly healing. More and more, people would not invite me into their group unless I strictly healed. I was not a strict healing class. The Paladin's healing powers were easily bested by a dedicated healer class like the priest. The other mixed classes, such as the shape-shifting Druid and totem dropping Shaman were also superior healers compared to us. Nevertheless, people demaded I strictly start healing or they would spread the word that "Assilius is a shitty player and an even shitter team player". My best friend, who also created a Paladin like me, was much more outspoken and succeeded in blacklisting himself for his refusal to be pigeon-holed into one role. As a result, he had to spend money to change his name and switch to a different "realm", another copy of the World of Warcraft with a different population of people.
This amazed and appalled me all at once. People have online reputations? People who simply play a game online still have to be careful or subservient enough otherwise they can get a bad rap?
What's even more appalling is how little there can be done. Online intimidation and threats can only be reprimanded if the individual's personal health and well-being is involved in most cases. This means that online "bullies" can often brow-beat and terroize at their will and leisure.
What can be done to stop this?
People are very quick to bully and brow-beat you. My experiences from the World of Warcraft (which is where a majority of my online interaction takes place) have taught me this. This is a fantasy game, set in the same vein as Lord of the Rings. Users create a character, whether it be a warrior, wizard, healer, thief, etc. The charatcer I created is a Paladin, a mix between a plate-armour wearing warrior and the titular healing class, the priest. I quickly learned this was a mistake.
A quick side note about the World of Warcraft: The game is broken up into two factions, the Alliance (comprised of humans, dwarves, elves and gnomes) and the Horde (comprised of Orcs, Trolls, Undead, corrupted elves, and a race of walking bulls known as Tauren). There are two ways to play the game. Players can band together and storm dungeons run by computer controlled monsters. The other way is to band together and fight other enemy faction players in various battlegrounds. These battlegrounds could be classic king-of-the-hill or capture-the-flag battles, or players could enter a pictched battle of 40 vs 40. There were also specialized arena battles of teams of 5 and under.
Anyways, about 3 months or so into my Paladin's career, I was constantly hounded for not strictly healing. More and more, people would not invite me into their group unless I strictly healed. I was not a strict healing class. The Paladin's healing powers were easily bested by a dedicated healer class like the priest. The other mixed classes, such as the shape-shifting Druid and totem dropping Shaman were also superior healers compared to us. Nevertheless, people demaded I strictly start healing or they would spread the word that "Assilius is a shitty player and an even shitter team player". My best friend, who also created a Paladin like me, was much more outspoken and succeeded in blacklisting himself for his refusal to be pigeon-holed into one role. As a result, he had to spend money to change his name and switch to a different "realm", another copy of the World of Warcraft with a different population of people.
This amazed and appalled me all at once. People have online reputations? People who simply play a game online still have to be careful or subservient enough otherwise they can get a bad rap?
What's even more appalling is how little there can be done. Online intimidation and threats can only be reprimanded if the individual's personal health and well-being is involved in most cases. This means that online "bullies" can often brow-beat and terroize at their will and leisure.
What can be done to stop this?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
To Remain or Not to Remain?
One thought has crossed my mind throughout this course. In dealing with being a digital immigrant to the social aspects of online communication, a thought occurs: Do I keep active after this class is over? Do I simply let this account and my Facebook lay fallow? Do I intend to keep in touch with my peers and classmates? Do I let this all go after the semester?
A part of me is annoyed at what I perceive as "online maintenace" in terms of keeping contact with people. The other part of me knows that technology (especially online technology) is the future. Do I stubbornly resist its tug and pull or do I force myself to synthesize with it all?
Right now, it is much too early for me to decide. I will have to come to a conclusion by the end of the semester.
A part of me is annoyed at what I perceive as "online maintenace" in terms of keeping contact with people. The other part of me knows that technology (especially online technology) is the future. Do I stubbornly resist its tug and pull or do I force myself to synthesize with it all?
Right now, it is much too early for me to decide. I will have to come to a conclusion by the end of the semester.
Starting a New Step
Well, after getting over my cold finally I feel well enough to start blogging. All of this is a new experience for me, as I have never used Myspace, or Facebook or anything else simuiliar to it. This is also the first time I will have to keep an active blog. Hell, I've never even kept a journal before. I also don't socialize very much online, much preferring phonecalls and face-to-face discussions to online communications.
All in all, getting started in all this feels...overwhelming...but I feel that as soon as I get started and lay down my foundations, things will get easier.
All in all, getting started in all this feels...overwhelming...but I feel that as soon as I get started and lay down my foundations, things will get easier.
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