Imitation of Life- Recreating Our World Through the Internet
Posted: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
by Ella Camp
The advent of the computer and the internet has enabled humans to step into the looking glass of the cyberspace virtual world- to live our lives in the world of the mind, so to speak. This is thought to be an original, novel and unique experience; but is it?
Haven’t we always lived through our minds- our words and actions dictated by our thoughts? We have, since Man’s inception, talked, exchanged ideas through our material creations and lived through them. We have always assumed a persona of our own creation which we present to the world around us.
The Internet can enable us to develop psychological well-being
Computers have become a recognizable metaphor for thinking about ourselves as multi-dimensional beings rather than stabilized centered embodiments of life.
Why should we give paramount status to the part of ourselves that is the physical body when we’re capable of establishing other selves that we are able to put into service, so to speak, in order to simulate the meeting of our human needs?
We are, through the computer and the internet, beginning to realize that we can successfully separate and use various parts of ourselves we once thought were bonded together by superglue.
We are becoming separated from the old-world view that has hitherto dominated our cultural human thinking, by becoming de-centered, fluid and flexible in that thinking.
The psychological effects of the internet can be enormous- for that is the realm in which we interact. When examining these effects it is important to know the difference between real-life psychological disorders and healthy human behavior.
Multiplicity in the virtual theatre- the branching off of our myriad other selves from the stem of our basic selves, differs from the Jungian accredited disorder known as Multiple Personalities- AKA-Dissociative Identity Disorder, in one respect by the word “dissociative” which infers the breaking off of the multiple personalities from the basic foundation of self by the latter, as opposed to the continuous branching, yet connected coherence of the former.
In an ideal cyber world, a healthy enactment of multiplicity within the virtual world of the internet entails that the multiple selves are merely branches of our fundamental selves, and as such are nourished and monitored by this basic self both morally and emotionally.
Familiarizing ourselves with our own diversity can enable us to learn our limitations in real life, even though we may extend them in virtual reality. As our own diversity becomes more flexible and fluid, we gain a greater capacity for understanding the diversity of others.
The creation of cyber-communities
Even as the stable symbols of traditional culture such as the neighborhood bar, coffee shop, diner and social club have begun to break down, our primal instinct for unity and fellowship still persists; encouraging the encroachment of systems such as religious fundamentalism, political, national and racial coalitions on our real-life societies. This break-down in social forums, seems to have resulted in the further isolation, not only of our societies, but their discouraged inhabitants, as we revolved back into our separate homes and businesses.
In our desire for a return to society, we’ve used the computer to create new virtual communities on the order of Facebook and WryteStuff. Com., where like-minded people may gather in satisfaction of social continuity of conformity.
We become our creations and our creations become us
The Internet is life once removed by the virtual world of cyberspace.
Logging on and entering this euphemistic world is akin to stepping into the wonderland of our own mind; one in which we build and operate all the rides and sideshows; games in which the mind becomes expanded in a system where symbols and imitations of real life control our thoughts and actions. Playing out the vagaries of our secret desires can, for some, expunge the anxiety of these unrequited wishes.
Cybersex has become almost commonplace in the last decade. For some people this virtual sex can be more exciting and satisfying than physical sex in the real world, sans the embarrassment, fear and anxiety often experienced; the person on the other side of the opaque screen becomes a reality by virtue of their written words and familiarity.
If a person feels shy, by nature, this shy self may be the only one they feel safe revealing to the real world; but within the cloistered safety of virtuality, they may feel the freedom to express in words and actions, the bolder, more confident self that lies hidden within. Learning safety on the internet is as much a personal responsibility as in real life- the rules are the same…..but different.
In this world, words become deeds- deeds that do not incur the consequences of the ones in real life; which can seemingly be erased with the touch of a finger on the delete key.
This assumption is in itself a virtual illusion, for as we can never erase a physical deed once done- neither can words once spoken ever be erased from the mind that grasps and files them away
As with anything in life- the Internet is a double-edged sword; yet virtual reality provides feelings of safety which enable us to expose to ourselves and others, all the selves that dwell within us. Metaphors of life abound – flowing freely within the computer science, psychology, games, cultural exchange, diverse advertising, virtual travel, biology, self-help and nature, just to name a few in this manmade self creation. Common understanding of the nature of our world, our place in it and our own identity, can be changed by the easy access to these metaphors.
A series of battles have erupted in the last decade concerning the good-the bad- and the ugly of the internet; especially the struggle between the virtual and the real amongst the younger generation.
The probable results of these battles will result in the reality that people will make the computer their own- in their own way, and allow its presence in their lives to their own extent and purposes.
We are the pioneers of the Internet Age- only time will tell whether or not the virtual and the real will exist side-by-side, merge together or destroy each other—sort of like our real world isn’t it?
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)The internet is a curse and a blessing. If we become dependant on it then in a way it can be as destructive as are drugs. There are now millions of unemployed people in the USA who are so dependant on the internet that they believe the only way they can find a job is by sitting glued to their computer sending out resumes. However because they are effectively living is cyberspace then its easy for potential employers to dismiss their resume with a click of a button which would not be the case if they met face to face. My concern is that one day we may all slip into the on line game world by accident and that our lives may as those avatars are now be controlled by the press of a button. So I hope we don't end up in a situation where smart 10 year old kids of the future end up controlling the lives of adults just because they are more nimble in cyberspace than we are.HA! Those 10 year old kids will probably not be anything like the 10 year old kids we knew before or know now......10 will be the new 30......ever notice how smart and intelligent some 10 year olds are now? It's almost scary. Thanks so much 101- for reading and commenting- Always Ella
You are getting younger I can tell by your picture. As for cyberspace, ahh..what the hell, only one more bridge to cross and you seem to be doing quite well at it. One thing's for sure, they are going to have to bury me because I will not go quietly into the night. Peace dear, and I'm looking forward to how much younger you will be next time we should meet. You're not one of those shape shifters are you? Ha! Paul would be quite annoyed.LLOL- I love it David- There is power,power wonder working power, in the blood of Revlon, Olay, L'Oreal, and that gal Maybelline- ask any woman......then there's the art of photography....a high art now indeed. HA! I shift shape every chance I get......as for Paul- I think shape-shifters intrigue him......:) Thanks Dave- I think there has always been peace between us...Always Ella
A deep topic you touched! Very splendid, I like this sentence "In this world, words become deeds", pretty much sums up everything.Thanks HyunSoung- Everyone has their own ideas about what the internet is and does in our lives...this is mine. Alway- Ella
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