Whither the Individual? DIGITAL NATION

Troy Wilensky
Media
Jacobsen
Whither the Individual?

*As we join groups and social networks from affinity sites to Facebook, are we extending and expanding identities, or increasingly conforming to the cookie-cutter profiles demanded of these interfaces? Is the loss of "personal space" and "reflection" so many users complain of merely the necessary surrender of "ego" as we learn to participate as members of a more evolved "collective organism" of "hyper-people?"*

As more and more individuals join these social networking websites such as the Facebook, peoples identities are sometimes lost, others more evolved. I have been a part of the Facebook community for a little over 2 years now and I have developed my own theory as to what social networking does to individual’s identity. I have noticed that just about every single one of my 900 plus friends will tell you how different they are from everybody else. Yet as I take a closer look, many quote the same authors, watch the same movies, join the same groups, are fans of the same artists or athletes, have very similar pictures posted, have similar statuses, etc. I am not saying that all of these people have identical qualities or are the same in a plethora of ways, but Facebook is. I do not know all of my friends on Facebook, however the ones I do know, that seem very similar on the website are in fact very different from one another. Facebook makes us conform to each other as if we are all part of a whole. Many times I have been on someone’s Facebook page and I had mistaken them for another person because of a similar profile picture. Even with close examination of one’s entire profile, Facebook does not do the individual justice. In a few rare cases I have seen peoples identities blossom through Facebook. I believe one of two things are happening here when this occurs. When I know the person in real life, and I see their personality thrive online, either they are simply more comfortable revealing themselves over the computer, possibly they feel more secure, or the other occurrence is that Facebook has actually given birth to a new personality to this person. I do believe that some people can actually have alter ego’s over the internet, even if it is not an anonymous interface. Although this occurrence is very infrequent among users it does happen and is quite intriguing. Possible for these individuals the internet is a way to express themselves in a way they can’t do in real life. In the video Digital Nation it shows that in world of Warcraft and Second Life this result of a new personality is much more common. I believe this is because instead of just a page with words you have written about yourself you have an actual avatar in which you can interact with others. You get to create your avatar’s race, size, color, and as you play more and complete tasks with others you can give him different clothing as well as various weapons to use. And overtime I feel that you can develop a new personality through your avatar. Almost as if your acting out a movie role, meaning the new personality does not carry over too real life. So in a way this is an example of an interface expanding identities although they may only be present in hyperspace does that not mean that they are not real? I don’t think so, I think of it as many people have different mindsets in different situation. If you talk to any great athlete they will tell you that they are a completely different person when they are on the court/field/cage/rink/ or whatever field of work they are required to perform on. This may also be present with other occupations besides athletes such as doctors, surgeons, firemen, police officers, and many other types of work. Once they put on that uniform its time do be that person that can complete the job, which may cause a new personality to give birth. Just as that happens, the same thing happens to people when the long into the virtual world of World of Warcraft with their avatar. In the video Digital Nation it actually told of people who have met on World of Warcraft and have gotten married! Now I’m no expert but I don’t think anyone in the world would marry someone without fully discovering the personality, characteristics, and intangible traits of the person before committing to them. That would mean that World of Warcraft has the ability to let people get to know one another so well that marriage is an option! One woman proclaimed that the most romantic thing her husband ever did for her was “he broke into a castle to see me.” That is pretty much only possible in the virtual world, yet this woman was enamored by the heroic deed of her husband in the game. So it seems like a game like World of Warcraft is more prone to create this phenomenon of expanding and even creating new identities as other affinity sites such as Facebook seem more likely to “conform us to cookie cutter profiles” where individuality is ultimately eliminated.

            Many people on affinity sites such as Facebook complain about a loss of personal space and reflection. In a way yes I do agree with this. On Facebook just about any one you are “friends” with can look at all of your pictures, posting, comments, statuses, likes and interests, etc. However, Facebook as kind of naturally developed its own code of conduct involving personal space. For example the general rule of social norms on Facebook are, almost never comment on someone wall if you do not know them unless you are trying to get to know them, it is ok on occasion to comment someone’s status you are only a little familiar with such as an acquaintance , it is acceptable to “like” someone’s status even if you do not know them well or at all. At least those are just a few code of conduct that I follow when on Facebook regarding personal space. I have found that those new to the website do not always follow these rules but generally these are the natural laws of Facebook, at least that is what I believe. Facebook has developed and advanced just as any society would. I have seen many peoples statuses that say things to the effect of “good morning Facebook !” or “goodnight everyone !” Seeing statues like that are more and more common and make us feel like we are indeed part of a much bigger world when we enter the Facebook universe.  This is another example of how some might think there personal space is being confiscated. Facebook users are now talking to each other as if we are ALL one big Facebook family instead of on an individual level. Thus, taking away our personal space and individuality.

            Another thing facebook users complain about is it takes away reflection from their life. How many times have old friend got together and reminisced about old times. You would almost never hear someone say “remember that time on facebook when…” ,it just wouldn’t happen.  Facebook takes away the element of reflection in our lives and yes I agree with this. When someone is on facebook they could be out in the world doing things upon which they could reflect and learn upon. There are a lot of things that can be learned from facebook, but its not the same immersive experience that you would get in the real world. Facebook is very limited in the actions you can do. In fact the only thing you can do is “post”. You can post pictures, comments, videos, statuses, and text to others, but that is all you can do, you are limited to the post. Where as in the real world there is a limitless number of things you can do to really reflect and learn and grow as an intellectual individual.

            Also, the surrendering of ego is another Facebook blemish. People are actually willing to give up their individuality to act and become part of the "collective organism" of "hyper-people” If you ask me, yes I do feel as if when I log onto facebook that I am part of a bigger sometimes more civilized and proper world in which people work together to communicate. Just about every Facebook user puts up statues hope that many others will comment on it and discuss, agree or disagree with them so they can further express their opinion. Every form of posting, even a simple “like” or joining a group or fan page, is an act for attention in hopes of communicating with others. Facebook is crucial in our lives. Without it our lives would be vastly different. Had I not had a Facebook I would not have been able to communicate with my girlfriend in the early stages of our relationship, I would be out of touch with certain family members, I would not know the local news of my town and throughout highschool, facebook is almost a necessity in today’s society. Although sometimes I proclaim I hate facebook, I am very thankful for its existence for all that it has done for me. Although I do believe it take away individuality and conforms us to a cookie cutter personality, I believe in the good that facebook brings. Like most things in life, as long as you can balance it into your life, you can avoid many of the problems it may pose.