Oh hello!
Our reality is shaped by mass media’s perception of reality.
Rather than forming opinions based solely on what is occurring around us, we base
of our judgement on the carefully selected pieces of information fed to us by
these large corporations. Some would say we now exist in an alternate reality
particularly when the technology exists to create exact replicas of physical
objects and experiences (jimbojimmothy, 2009). Our dependence on technology and
the online world further feeds this theory that we all live in a hyper-reality….a
simulacrum.
Simulacrum:
1. "An image or representation of something or someone
2. An unsatisfactory imitation or substitute"
(Oxford Dictionaries, 2014)
 |
| (Source: Elliot, 2011) |
Considering what we know about the simulacra, and taking into account our fondness (or reliance) on social media, it comes as no surprise that within this alternate universe, we create avatars - digital versions of ourselves.
An Avatar is "someone who represents
a type of person, an idea, or a quality"
(Merriam-Webster, 2014)
It comes at no surprise that so many people turn to avatars for pleasure, fulfillment, to belong to something. Unlike the 'real world', the role you play is almost entirely socially driven. Social World games "offer community, goals, commerce, and a structured method of interacting that allows players in virtual worlds to understand what needs to done" (Meadows, 2008 p35-36).
The downfall with avatars though, is that there is no regulations on what likeness your character is to your real self. You could be a 20 year old woman pretending to be a 45 year old police officer and father of 2. Scarily, you could be a 50 year old man befriending 14 year old girls. People can begin to lose sight of reality and determine success on what level they have achieved in a game, their popularity based on how many Facebook friends they have, and their attractiveness based on how many people re-Tweeted a photo they posted of themselves on a recent holiday.
Personally, I don't play computer games and I am very private about who can access my social media profiles so I feel confident I haven't lost sight of who I really am in an online sense. Do you think it is OK to create a avatar that doesn't reflect who you really are? Do you think avatars contribute to simulacra and a lost sight of reality? Share your comments below.
Bye for now,
Lisa
Reference List:
Jimbojimmothy 2009, Philosophy & Religion: Jean
Baudrillard, youtube.com, 15 March 2009, accessed 7 February 2014, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETykZgS176M&list=PL0D68D318CD96BC58&index=1>
Oxford Dictionaries 2014, Definition of Simulacrum, oxforddictionaries.com, accessed 7 February 2014, <http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/simulacrum>
Elliot 2011, Jean Baudrillard Analyzes American Celebrity Fans of Arsenal, [image], Futfunatico, 29 September 2011, accessed 7 February 2014, <http://www.futfanatico.com/2011/09/29/jean-baudrillard-analyzes-american-celebrity-fans-arsenal/>
Felluga, Dino 2011, Modules on Baudrillard: On simulation, accessed 7 February 2014,
<http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/theory/postmodernism/modules/baudrillardsimulation.html
Merriam-Webster 2014, Definition of Avatar, merriam-webster.com, accessed 8 February 2014, <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avatar>
Meadows, MS 2008, 'The roles of social worlds and the rules of game
worlds', in I, Avatar: the culture and consequences of having a second
life, New Riders, Berkley, CA, pp.34–51, accessed 8 February 2014,
<http://ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/login?url=http://onlineres.swin.edu.au/1738063.pdf>
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI have created avatars a few times mainly in games but I generally try and keep them close to my our view of myself. The fun thing about avatars is that even though they look like you, you are able to put characteristics and qualities on this version of yourself that you wish you had in real life.
I do not believe that it is okay to misrepresent yourself, although we all do that some people do it intentionally and some do it unintentionally. Ultimately at the end of the day by doing this we are spinning a web of lies which seems to be what society is largely based on these days.
Sorry to sound like so bitter and cynical but I believe that many people create avatars that are different to themselves as a chance to escape reality, maybe they want the attention of men and by creating a 'beautiful confident' avatar they are able to fulfil themselves that way. Also some people are scared to speak their minds and be different but by creating an avatar they are able to unleash their feelings.
There are definitely pros and cons to simulacrum but I think when you are no longer able to distinguish between reality and fantasy/virtuality then there is a problem
thanks Lisa for a great post!