Shai Gar
24 Jun 2005, 06:32 AM
This essay was written by someone i talk to online, when i heard about the topic i asked and he granted me permission to put it onto the INTPCentral forums, he himself is an INTP/INTJ but doesnt yet want to join.
i am certain you will find this interesting
This essay will examine how people can use contemporary media to
construct their own identity. Specifically, it will focus on how people can
use the most contemporary of media - the internet - to achieve this end.
It will address two main methods in which the internet facilitates the
people’s ability to construct their identities; firstly how it provides an
environment for people to experiment and investigate avenues in which
they can grow and secondly how it can afford much greater social capital
to those with limited means to acquire it. It will demonstrate that by use
of the internet, people are able to explore and determine their own identity
because of the control they are given over the situation, unrestricted by
social pressures that they might otherwise face. It will show that via the
internet, traditional limitations upon social capital can be overcome,
allowing individuals to achieve a much greater potential than without it.
Two key themes to be examined in this essay are those of identity versus
anonymity and social capital. Identity is crucial to this exploration in
several ways. Identity and anonymity are important and inter-related
concepts because of how the internet is established. Identity is important
because identity on the internet is ultimately defined by the user and can
be changed at any point, should the user wish. This allows the user to
construct their identity how they wish it, rather than how society defines
them. This ties in to both anonymity and social capital as since the onus is
on the user to establish identity they can, just as easily, choose not to
establish any; to create a protective cloak of anonymous usage in their
research and or participation in a subject. It affects social capital by
affording those who may not be able to achieve it in the material world,
avenues to create an identity which will be more capable of achieving it.
The internet allows many individuals to explore identities and possibilities
that they would otherwise be too intimidated to attempt. It affords this in
several ways. Firstly, it provides extensive access to information on these
topics that the user might otherwise not have access to and importantly,
information that can be researched anonymously. It provides the access
and interaction with individuals that they might otherwise be able;
offering insights and opinions that they might otherwise not have contact
to. Finally through the ability of the user to actively define every aspect of
who they are online, they are given full capacity to investigate alternative
lifestyle options, without putting themselves in undue risk.
Social capital is also an important theme. It can be defined as “social
networks and the norms and sanctions which govern their behaviour. It is
valued for it’s potential to facilitate individual and community action,
especially through the solution of collective action problems.” This
translates into a great many different things.
One very important aspect of social capital is the idea of support and it
has been observed that the internet can often provide this support for
individuals in a number of fashions. It can represent social
companionship – “the sharing of recreational and leisure pursuits” which
provides people with greater breadth of friends and friendship groups
which they might not otherwise have access to. It can represent
informational support – the process in which “other persons may provide
information, advice and guidance”, something that affords access to
greater knowledge on a variety of matters, both mundane and trying; this
information is often of greater relevance or easier to understand because it
is being provided by someone who often has experience in the particular
field or situation. It can provide another avenue for instrumental support
– “assistance with material tasks” which for some is invaluable if they do
not have access to such support from their local networks. Very
importantly, it can provide esteem support – “support that helps people
deal with threats to their self-esteem”. This is facilitated especially well
by the anonymity granted by the internet. The distance that the internet
provides allows individuals to more freely express negative aspects of
themselves, that they otherwise would keep hidden from people with
whom they have more intimate association. Through a number of means,
the internet provides this support for many individuals in an easily
accessible manner and can often provide an avenue for people who feel
like they have no other option to turn to.
Another interaction with social capital that is important to consider with
the internet in mind is that of the virtual workplace. In a number of ways,
the internet is providing greater access to a greater range of co-workers for a greater number of people. This is especially important for individuals
who have restricted access to the outside world, either due to geographical limitations or due to personal factors limiting their access with the outside world; a good example being individuals suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, it benefits many beyond those with access limitations because of the manner in which it is changing the world’s workplace. The greater interactivity that the internet provides with companies and individuals across the globe allows individuals to transport their expertise anywhere, either via virtually organised teams or workforces or by giving them access to positions far from their native location.
A pertinent example of how the internet can be used for these ends is
with homosexual men. This is particularly useful as in much of western
society; this behaviour is still often considered abnormal and can see an
individual persecuted, or at least feel uncomfortable about investigating
the topic openly. The internet provides a very valid alternative for
individuals wishing to examine this aspect of their personality; something
that may never have expressed itself without circumstances for the
individual to learn and/or experience the culture. In fact, in a study done
regarding gay men and the internet it was claimed for some to be “an
integral part of their coming-out process and the formulation of a gay
identity”. Furthermore, after this has happened it provides a supportive
community in which homosexual men can seek support with issues that
trouble them, either through chat rooms, forums or the other various
devices that the internet provides. It represents a non-threatening
situation which people can fully explore their sexuality, or even ‘lurk’ and
observe anonymously to learn from other people’s discussions and ideas
regarding matters that may be pertinent to them. It is a method that has
been embraced by the gay community, something evidenced by the fact
that the primary homosexual male channel on IRC #gaysex can often
surpass the complimentary heterosexual channel #sex for numbers;
surprising because of the relative minority status of homosexual males in
comparison to the population of heterosexual males and females, even
limited to those that use the internet. Of course, this format of
communication is not limited to minority groups alone. Many people use
the internet as a communication and meeting tool. Even heterosexual
individuals can use the internet for the purpose of overcoming anxieties
about their sexuality, via open communication with people going through
similar issues, or with members of the opposite gender, to help provide
greater understanding and communication in the material world due to
the greater likelihood of open and frank discussion, facilitated by the
relative anonymity that the internet provides; an excellent example of
esteem support and identity construction.
Another excellent example of the internet affording greater social capital
to individuals and hence allowing them to construct their own identity is
that of Open Source projects. In growing numbers, there are increasing
amounts of software projects that are being developed ‘Open Source’. The
principles of the system is that the source code of the program – the
uncompiled program, in editable form – is provided freely to the public so
that anyone can become involved in the further development of the
project, as long as the code is not used in any proprietary software for
profit. The most well known implementation of this paradigm is the Linux
operating system, originally created by Linus Torvalds but now
distributed worldwide through a number of different mutations and
implementations, each being developed by numerous individuals, often via
submission over the internet. The implications of this are significant; this
provides anyone with the willingness to learn and work on these programs
the ability to become involved in a significant computing project, at work
in a virtual workspace; and they are able to work at their own pace within
their own schedules to a large extent. Combined with a significant body of
resources for coding that exist online this provides an amazing
opportunity for individuals who may not have the time, means or
education to acquire work in the industry to become involved in computer
programming; even if this is not for profit, it provides them with a
significant base of skills that can be taken with them to any further place
of employment. In this, it is a demonstrable example of people being able
to construct their identity through use of the internet.
There are of course criticisms of many of these points. The very anonymity
and ability to construct identity that the internet provides makes it a
haven for individuals who use that ability to take advantage of others.
There are numerous stories of sexual predators using chat rooms and
other online communications to communicate and stalk younger boys and
girls. There is the possibility that as people become more and more
engrossed and involved in the internet their real world social skills can
suffer deterioration because of it or that the loss of self can become so
profound that they feel that they only exist in the virtual realm,
overcommitting to endeavours there at the cost of real world concerns.
However, particularly in reference to the concept of cyber-predators, much
of this is perceived risk, rather than actuality. These occurrences are
reported with great vigour by the media as in the instance they represent
a significant threat to the child in case; this combined with the lack of
public understanding of the internet and the fear of the unknown makes
this risk seem more significant than it is in reality; and is something with
a relatively low occurrence which could have been prevented by parental
supervision. In regards to virtual communication reducing the social
skills of those who participate, research shows that in many cases social forums can act as ‘third places’, places where people are able to practice
their social skills which can then be taken to other less protected contexts.
In fact, there is evidence to suggest that there is a far greater
interdependence between virtual and material communication than many
critics would give credit to. Of course, these concerns are still present,
and it is important to ensure that a balance between traditional social
discourse and that of the electronic is maintainted.
The other main criticism of the efficiency of the internet as a tool which
affords (re)creation of self is that it is only available to those who can
afford it. The requirement to use it as such a tool requires relatively
regular access to it, due to the often large delays in communication
between individuals upon it. For many, this is not an option; ergo, the
people who have access to it often are those who would otherwise have the ability and means to successfully construct their own identity through
other means, whilst those more confined by the realities of their life have
no such option. But, as the internet becomes more and more widespread,
this facility will become more commonplace; thus affording individuals
greater individuality and ability to determine their own identity.
In conclusion, the internet has become an important tool for those who
seek to define, construct or reconstruct their identity. It helps people by
providing them access to information that they would not otherwise have had. It allows them to communicate with people they may not have access
to. It provides a social setting which allows people to experiment and learn
social skills without fear of failure. It enables people to work in virtual
teams or provides them with access to opportunities in places that would
otherwise be unattainable. Through all these ways and more, it provides
people with a manner in which they are able to construct their identity
and life and it is through this that as a communication medium, it may
well be more significant than any other that has come to pass thus far.
Word count: 2082
Bibliography
• Christina Carsten, Helena Wulf et al., New Technologies at Work, Oxford, Berg, 2003
• David Halpern, Social Capital, Cambridge, Polity Press, 2005
• Steven G. Jones et al., Virtual Culture, London, Sage Publications, 1997
• Lance Strate, Ron Jacobson, Stephanie Gibson et al., Communication and
Cyberspace, New Jersey, Hampton Press, 2003
• Bernard Woods, Commication, Technoclogy and the development of people, London, Routlege, 1993
• Steve Woolgar et al., Virtual Society? Technology, Cyberbole, Reality, New York, Oxford University Press, 2002
i am certain you will find this interesting
This essay will examine how people can use contemporary media to
construct their own identity. Specifically, it will focus on how people can
use the most contemporary of media - the internet - to achieve this end.
It will address two main methods in which the internet facilitates the
people’s ability to construct their identities; firstly how it provides an
environment for people to experiment and investigate avenues in which
they can grow and secondly how it can afford much greater social capital
to those with limited means to acquire it. It will demonstrate that by use
of the internet, people are able to explore and determine their own identity
because of the control they are given over the situation, unrestricted by
social pressures that they might otherwise face. It will show that via the
internet, traditional limitations upon social capital can be overcome,
allowing individuals to achieve a much greater potential than without it.
Two key themes to be examined in this essay are those of identity versus
anonymity and social capital. Identity is crucial to this exploration in
several ways. Identity and anonymity are important and inter-related
concepts because of how the internet is established. Identity is important
because identity on the internet is ultimately defined by the user and can
be changed at any point, should the user wish. This allows the user to
construct their identity how they wish it, rather than how society defines
them. This ties in to both anonymity and social capital as since the onus is
on the user to establish identity they can, just as easily, choose not to
establish any; to create a protective cloak of anonymous usage in their
research and or participation in a subject. It affects social capital by
affording those who may not be able to achieve it in the material world,
avenues to create an identity which will be more capable of achieving it.
The internet allows many individuals to explore identities and possibilities
that they would otherwise be too intimidated to attempt. It affords this in
several ways. Firstly, it provides extensive access to information on these
topics that the user might otherwise not have access to and importantly,
information that can be researched anonymously. It provides the access
and interaction with individuals that they might otherwise be able;
offering insights and opinions that they might otherwise not have contact
to. Finally through the ability of the user to actively define every aspect of
who they are online, they are given full capacity to investigate alternative
lifestyle options, without putting themselves in undue risk.
Social capital is also an important theme. It can be defined as “social
networks and the norms and sanctions which govern their behaviour. It is
valued for it’s potential to facilitate individual and community action,
especially through the solution of collective action problems.” This
translates into a great many different things.
One very important aspect of social capital is the idea of support and it
has been observed that the internet can often provide this support for
individuals in a number of fashions. It can represent social
companionship – “the sharing of recreational and leisure pursuits” which
provides people with greater breadth of friends and friendship groups
which they might not otherwise have access to. It can represent
informational support – the process in which “other persons may provide
information, advice and guidance”, something that affords access to
greater knowledge on a variety of matters, both mundane and trying; this
information is often of greater relevance or easier to understand because it
is being provided by someone who often has experience in the particular
field or situation. It can provide another avenue for instrumental support
– “assistance with material tasks” which for some is invaluable if they do
not have access to such support from their local networks. Very
importantly, it can provide esteem support – “support that helps people
deal with threats to their self-esteem”. This is facilitated especially well
by the anonymity granted by the internet. The distance that the internet
provides allows individuals to more freely express negative aspects of
themselves, that they otherwise would keep hidden from people with
whom they have more intimate association. Through a number of means,
the internet provides this support for many individuals in an easily
accessible manner and can often provide an avenue for people who feel
like they have no other option to turn to.
Another interaction with social capital that is important to consider with
the internet in mind is that of the virtual workplace. In a number of ways,
the internet is providing greater access to a greater range of co-workers for a greater number of people. This is especially important for individuals
who have restricted access to the outside world, either due to geographical limitations or due to personal factors limiting their access with the outside world; a good example being individuals suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, it benefits many beyond those with access limitations because of the manner in which it is changing the world’s workplace. The greater interactivity that the internet provides with companies and individuals across the globe allows individuals to transport their expertise anywhere, either via virtually organised teams or workforces or by giving them access to positions far from their native location.
A pertinent example of how the internet can be used for these ends is
with homosexual men. This is particularly useful as in much of western
society; this behaviour is still often considered abnormal and can see an
individual persecuted, or at least feel uncomfortable about investigating
the topic openly. The internet provides a very valid alternative for
individuals wishing to examine this aspect of their personality; something
that may never have expressed itself without circumstances for the
individual to learn and/or experience the culture. In fact, in a study done
regarding gay men and the internet it was claimed for some to be “an
integral part of their coming-out process and the formulation of a gay
identity”. Furthermore, after this has happened it provides a supportive
community in which homosexual men can seek support with issues that
trouble them, either through chat rooms, forums or the other various
devices that the internet provides. It represents a non-threatening
situation which people can fully explore their sexuality, or even ‘lurk’ and
observe anonymously to learn from other people’s discussions and ideas
regarding matters that may be pertinent to them. It is a method that has
been embraced by the gay community, something evidenced by the fact
that the primary homosexual male channel on IRC #gaysex can often
surpass the complimentary heterosexual channel #sex for numbers;
surprising because of the relative minority status of homosexual males in
comparison to the population of heterosexual males and females, even
limited to those that use the internet. Of course, this format of
communication is not limited to minority groups alone. Many people use
the internet as a communication and meeting tool. Even heterosexual
individuals can use the internet for the purpose of overcoming anxieties
about their sexuality, via open communication with people going through
similar issues, or with members of the opposite gender, to help provide
greater understanding and communication in the material world due to
the greater likelihood of open and frank discussion, facilitated by the
relative anonymity that the internet provides; an excellent example of
esteem support and identity construction.
Another excellent example of the internet affording greater social capital
to individuals and hence allowing them to construct their own identity is
that of Open Source projects. In growing numbers, there are increasing
amounts of software projects that are being developed ‘Open Source’. The
principles of the system is that the source code of the program – the
uncompiled program, in editable form – is provided freely to the public so
that anyone can become involved in the further development of the
project, as long as the code is not used in any proprietary software for
profit. The most well known implementation of this paradigm is the Linux
operating system, originally created by Linus Torvalds but now
distributed worldwide through a number of different mutations and
implementations, each being developed by numerous individuals, often via
submission over the internet. The implications of this are significant; this
provides anyone with the willingness to learn and work on these programs
the ability to become involved in a significant computing project, at work
in a virtual workspace; and they are able to work at their own pace within
their own schedules to a large extent. Combined with a significant body of
resources for coding that exist online this provides an amazing
opportunity for individuals who may not have the time, means or
education to acquire work in the industry to become involved in computer
programming; even if this is not for profit, it provides them with a
significant base of skills that can be taken with them to any further place
of employment. In this, it is a demonstrable example of people being able
to construct their identity through use of the internet.
There are of course criticisms of many of these points. The very anonymity
and ability to construct identity that the internet provides makes it a
haven for individuals who use that ability to take advantage of others.
There are numerous stories of sexual predators using chat rooms and
other online communications to communicate and stalk younger boys and
girls. There is the possibility that as people become more and more
engrossed and involved in the internet their real world social skills can
suffer deterioration because of it or that the loss of self can become so
profound that they feel that they only exist in the virtual realm,
overcommitting to endeavours there at the cost of real world concerns.
However, particularly in reference to the concept of cyber-predators, much
of this is perceived risk, rather than actuality. These occurrences are
reported with great vigour by the media as in the instance they represent
a significant threat to the child in case; this combined with the lack of
public understanding of the internet and the fear of the unknown makes
this risk seem more significant than it is in reality; and is something with
a relatively low occurrence which could have been prevented by parental
supervision. In regards to virtual communication reducing the social
skills of those who participate, research shows that in many cases social forums can act as ‘third places’, places where people are able to practice
their social skills which can then be taken to other less protected contexts.
In fact, there is evidence to suggest that there is a far greater
interdependence between virtual and material communication than many
critics would give credit to. Of course, these concerns are still present,
and it is important to ensure that a balance between traditional social
discourse and that of the electronic is maintainted.
The other main criticism of the efficiency of the internet as a tool which
affords (re)creation of self is that it is only available to those who can
afford it. The requirement to use it as such a tool requires relatively
regular access to it, due to the often large delays in communication
between individuals upon it. For many, this is not an option; ergo, the
people who have access to it often are those who would otherwise have the ability and means to successfully construct their own identity through
other means, whilst those more confined by the realities of their life have
no such option. But, as the internet becomes more and more widespread,
this facility will become more commonplace; thus affording individuals
greater individuality and ability to determine their own identity.
In conclusion, the internet has become an important tool for those who
seek to define, construct or reconstruct their identity. It helps people by
providing them access to information that they would not otherwise have had. It allows them to communicate with people they may not have access
to. It provides a social setting which allows people to experiment and learn
social skills without fear of failure. It enables people to work in virtual
teams or provides them with access to opportunities in places that would
otherwise be unattainable. Through all these ways and more, it provides
people with a manner in which they are able to construct their identity
and life and it is through this that as a communication medium, it may
well be more significant than any other that has come to pass thus far.
Word count: 2082
Bibliography
• Christina Carsten, Helena Wulf et al., New Technologies at Work, Oxford, Berg, 2003
• David Halpern, Social Capital, Cambridge, Polity Press, 2005
• Steven G. Jones et al., Virtual Culture, London, Sage Publications, 1997
• Lance Strate, Ron Jacobson, Stephanie Gibson et al., Communication and
Cyberspace, New Jersey, Hampton Press, 2003
• Bernard Woods, Commication, Technoclogy and the development of people, London, Routlege, 1993
• Steve Woolgar et al., Virtual Society? Technology, Cyberbole, Reality, New York, Oxford University Press, 2002