An online identity is an identity one uses as a mean in which people in the network would be able to recognize him. Some may use their real names, however, individuals may sometimes prefer to use nicknames for others to know them by. In some online contexts, they may also engage in the usage of avatars to act as their character.
In today’s society, due to the heavy usage of the internet, as others interact as an established online identity, it acquires a reputation which enables them to decide whether an identity is worthy of trust. (Online Identity, 2007)
So what are the benefits of having an online identity? One can argue that even in modern day’s society, people are constantly judged by the color of their skin, age, gender and sometimes even their educational achievements. “Part of the attraction of CMC is that it allows participants to separate their physical selves from their writing and actions online. In an idealistic sense, this can be viewed as a true “marketplace of ideas”, where ideas are measured by their own merits.” (Lackaff,2003)They may sometimes be unable to escape the stereotypical views which society might have on them. However, with an online identity, these may be modified. An individual may conceal their true identity and thus earn a reputation for who they really are rather than what they are. An example of this could be seen in a video depicting a chat room. A man poses as a woman in an effort to establish a relationship with someone of the same gender. Because of society’s traditional views on homosexuality, he may have resorted to the internet to express his true self.
An online identity which I would be most familiar with would be in the world of gaming. As a player of Counterstrike; an online shooting game, many a times, I have come crossed players who have earned reputations of being good in their skills. This could be seen during gaming matches, also known as Klan matches when prior to one, members of one Klan would be warned of the skills of their opponents, very much similar to that of a regular sporting match. Unlike other sporting arrangements, the intriguing part of such reputations, is physical appearance is not necessary. As mentioned earlier, in the online world, race, age and gender holds no boundaries.
One example which I can recall, would be in a “match” which I took part in, my team had been told of a particular opponent called “Kyosho” who was an extremely talented player who was skillful for his extremely fast reflexes. Now, it would be easy to imagine that such a player would probably be an older teen or an adult who has had years of experience in the game, hence his skill. Besides this, judging from the language he displayed online, it seemed obvious that he would be older. To my surprise, “Kyosho” was only a kid around the age of 12- 13 years.
“Kyosho” was not the only of such a player who did not fit the category I expected. In many of such gaming worlds, a player may not seem to be who he/she really is. Henceforth, the maintenance of an individual’s reputation is of the extreme importance as this is what makes others recognize them. Unlike many other online games, Counterstrike lacks an identity-protection system which we can see in many online games. Thus the only mean of identifying a particular individual would be through their nicknames and other forms of identification in the game such as “spray paints”.
As the maintenance of reputation is crucial in the gaming world where others know you as the way you play and not for whom you are, it is important that one’s identity is limited to solely him/her. However, like all other online contexts, identity theft is still sometimes common in games such as Counterstrike. Speaking from experience, jealous opponents may sometimes hijack nicknames simply so as to tarnish another player’s reputation. According to (Dorath, 1996), compared to the physical world, it is relatively easy to pass as someone else online since there are relatively few identity cues.
To combat this, different groups or klans use special computer symbols to make known their authenticity. They may sometimes incorporate numbers to replace alphabets in a nickname to make identity theft harder. For example, when I used to play Counterstrike on such Klan basis, my particular nickname was =`[KM]’=M@cH1n3GuN. The first few alphabets and symbols were used to depict the Klan’s name, while the rest of it was to identify myself. Although one may think it isn’t too hard to steal a nickname, as mentioned before, other methods to identify authenticity such as “spray paints” were used within the game itself. As all spray paints were usually the same and could also be used by a hijacker, minor markings would be made to it. For example, bullet marks in certain parts of the spray would serve as an extra mark of authenticity.
Online identities serves as a paradox of a person’s self. Although it may be a reflection of the person’s inner being, it can also be used as a mask to foster criminal activities such as sexual crimes. It is thus important that an identity in the virtual community be treated with as much caution as that of the real world. Besides serving a positive purpose of removing societal norms and boundaries, it like all other technological developments has its’ cons which if not in check could prove devastating for society.
References:
Donath, J (1996,11,12). Identity and Deception in the Virtual Community. Retrieved 02,20,2007, from http://smg.media.mit.edu/people/Judith/Identity/IdentityDeception.html
Online Identity. (2007). Online Identity. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 02,19,2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_identity
Lackaff, D (2003). Norm maintenance in online communities: A review of moderation regimes . Retrieved 02,20,2007, from http://lackaff.net/node/20
Other References:
Youtube Video from Com125 Wordpress site. http://com125.wordpress.com/
In today’s society, due to the heavy usage of the internet, as others interact as an established online identity, it acquires a reputation which enables them to decide whether an identity is worthy of trust. (Online Identity, 2007)
So what are the benefits of having an online identity? One can argue that even in modern day’s society, people are constantly judged by the color of their skin, age, gender and sometimes even their educational achievements. “Part of the attraction of CMC is that it allows participants to separate their physical selves from their writing and actions online. In an idealistic sense, this can be viewed as a true “marketplace of ideas”, where ideas are measured by their own merits.” (Lackaff,2003)They may sometimes be unable to escape the stereotypical views which society might have on them. However, with an online identity, these may be modified. An individual may conceal their true identity and thus earn a reputation for who they really are rather than what they are. An example of this could be seen in a video depicting a chat room. A man poses as a woman in an effort to establish a relationship with someone of the same gender. Because of society’s traditional views on homosexuality, he may have resorted to the internet to express his true self.
An online identity which I would be most familiar with would be in the world of gaming. As a player of Counterstrike; an online shooting game, many a times, I have come crossed players who have earned reputations of being good in their skills. This could be seen during gaming matches, also known as Klan matches when prior to one, members of one Klan would be warned of the skills of their opponents, very much similar to that of a regular sporting match. Unlike other sporting arrangements, the intriguing part of such reputations, is physical appearance is not necessary. As mentioned earlier, in the online world, race, age and gender holds no boundaries.
One example which I can recall, would be in a “match” which I took part in, my team had been told of a particular opponent called “Kyosho” who was an extremely talented player who was skillful for his extremely fast reflexes. Now, it would be easy to imagine that such a player would probably be an older teen or an adult who has had years of experience in the game, hence his skill. Besides this, judging from the language he displayed online, it seemed obvious that he would be older. To my surprise, “Kyosho” was only a kid around the age of 12- 13 years.
“Kyosho” was not the only of such a player who did not fit the category I expected. In many of such gaming worlds, a player may not seem to be who he/she really is. Henceforth, the maintenance of an individual’s reputation is of the extreme importance as this is what makes others recognize them. Unlike many other online games, Counterstrike lacks an identity-protection system which we can see in many online games. Thus the only mean of identifying a particular individual would be through their nicknames and other forms of identification in the game such as “spray paints”.
As the maintenance of reputation is crucial in the gaming world where others know you as the way you play and not for whom you are, it is important that one’s identity is limited to solely him/her. However, like all other online contexts, identity theft is still sometimes common in games such as Counterstrike. Speaking from experience, jealous opponents may sometimes hijack nicknames simply so as to tarnish another player’s reputation. According to (Dorath, 1996), compared to the physical world, it is relatively easy to pass as someone else online since there are relatively few identity cues.
To combat this, different groups or klans use special computer symbols to make known their authenticity. They may sometimes incorporate numbers to replace alphabets in a nickname to make identity theft harder. For example, when I used to play Counterstrike on such Klan basis, my particular nickname was =`[KM]’=M@cH1n3GuN. The first few alphabets and symbols were used to depict the Klan’s name, while the rest of it was to identify myself. Although one may think it isn’t too hard to steal a nickname, as mentioned before, other methods to identify authenticity such as “spray paints” were used within the game itself. As all spray paints were usually the same and could also be used by a hijacker, minor markings would be made to it. For example, bullet marks in certain parts of the spray would serve as an extra mark of authenticity.
Online identities serves as a paradox of a person’s self. Although it may be a reflection of the person’s inner being, it can also be used as a mask to foster criminal activities such as sexual crimes. It is thus important that an identity in the virtual community be treated with as much caution as that of the real world. Besides serving a positive purpose of removing societal norms and boundaries, it like all other technological developments has its’ cons which if not in check could prove devastating for society.
References:
Donath, J (1996,11,12). Identity and Deception in the Virtual Community. Retrieved 02,20,2007, from http://smg.media.mit.edu/people/Judith/Identity/IdentityDeception.html
Online Identity. (2007). Online Identity. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 02,19,2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_identity
Lackaff, D (2003). Norm maintenance in online communities: A review of moderation regimes . Retrieved 02,20,2007, from http://lackaff.net/node/20
Other References:
Youtube Video from Com125 Wordpress site. http://com125.wordpress.com/
1 comment:
Very interesting part about the bullet marks in the spray paint... just like how we use hidden watermarks in our printed currency to authenticate its worth. Full grades there! :)
Post a Comment