"You Only Live Twice"
SECOND LIFE
Social media has created an environment for interaction between anyone anywhere, regardless of ethnic and social background, age, gender or location! Not only can people communicate with anyone, but they can also alter, recreate and transform their identity(s).
Sometimes the real world can be so full on and overpowering an escape is often desired! But where to? Today, the world is full of endless opportunities and living that carefree life where you are in control is one of them. A destination where you are free to express yourself in any way you wish is right at your computer, smart phone or notepad. An escape from the real world to a virtual world is easily accessible.
Identity exploration today, is occurring in the real world however, is also shifting to virtual worlds. Virtual worlds allow an individual to explore many many aspect of their personality which couldn't possibly be explored in the real world. For example, being able to remain anonymous may lead an individual to expose more of themselves than they otherwise would in the real world. Those who are socially shy may communicate and interact rapidly and quite frequently in a virtual world as opposed to the real world.Lee (2003) shares that creating and playing with an avatar can be projection of idealization of the self, experimenting with identity(s), and merely a pawn - 'a means to an end'.
The personalization of ones world in the virtual life allows them to be in-control. It allows them to use technology which enables dynamic insertion and customization of their identity which others can respond to and interact with.
Within these virtual worlds are social rules which shape small societies just like the current real world we are living in today. There are roles which need to be fulfilled and jobs to be performed such as a shopkeeper, a bartender, a shoe salesman, bouncers and slaves. According to Meadows (2008) high performance of these roles gives you benefits of societal living.
Meadows (2008) highlights that for some who interact in virtual worlds, an avatar is a more convincing reality than a real person. This just shows the extremes to which the internet has gained power over human nature. rather than living in a natural world, people are living in mechanical worlds where the remote control to our lives has become and will continue to be our mobile phones and internet devices.
Meadows (2008) explains the power and the strength of real life emotions in virtual worlds.
Nick Yee a PhD graduate conducted a study on 300,000 gamers and found that:
- approximately 40% of the men and 53% of the women who spent time in virtual worlds said that their virtual friends were equal to, or better than their real friends.
- most of the gamers spent 20 hours a week in virtual worlds
- a quarter of those claimed the highlight of their week happened during their interaction in their virtual world.
The second life seems to be compatible with the self-determination theory, addressing all of its components.
- Competence - progressing in skill and power
- Autonomy - being able to choose from multiple meaningful options
- Relatedness - feeling important to others
The second life is a replication of our consumer society in a screen version, however allows individuals to create and to be whoever the wish. one is in complete control of their life and their identity and even have multiple identities for some.
http://onlineres.swin.edu.au.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/1738063.pdf
I personally believe that there are more beneficial ways to escape the complexities in life. Using an avatar can pose some negatives such as the reduction of human interaction and neglecting day-to-day responsibilities which can have detrimental effects on your life in reality such as loosing you job, partner separation, neglecting you family and friends and obesity just to name a few.
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