Online Identities
My definition of online identity is influenced by my perception of the internet as being annonymous to begin with and having the blank slate as an opportunity to create the persona of your choice. My definition is: Online Identity is a self constructed personality used to represent a person in an online community. There is so much that we can use to create an identity. What differentiates an online identity from a real world identity, is that we have complete and total control in creating an online identity. There are no predetermined variables that represent who we are in cyberspace. The foundation of our real life identities are usually predetermined or not easily changed. Factors like, ethnicity, cultural heritage, religion, appearance, social status, income, etc. Liu’s article defines identity in terms of saying that you are what you like and consume. “Taste statements” are used to show the world who you are. This identity is shown through a profile that displays what your likes are in categories such as books, music, movies, television, and general interests. I have to say that it’s a very western consumer culture version of identity. Many cultures base identity on where you come from, what you do, family ties. Liu states that taste is shaped by socioeconomic factors and aesthetic factors. The identity based on Liu’s definition is based on what you like and what you can afford to purchase. Boy, my online identity is looking pretty bleak, broke grad student - closet country music fan. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone.Lap Band TalkFor this session, I choose the http://www.lapbandtalk.com/ forum because I am closing in on my 1 year anniversary as a proud lap band owner. For those of you who have not seen the commercials, it’s a weight loss tool that is surgically implanted to restrict food intake. Yeppers, I had weight loss surgery and have lost 50lbs in 10months, yeah me! Of course that also means that the Food Network is my version of porn.
Scenario 1: Posting a Question
Ibeatanorexia is a relatively new user. The user must register first, then go to the forum tab at the top of the screen. Once at the forum, the user must select the appropriate sub-forum to post in. The user clicks on the forum titled “post operation Q&A.”
Once in the correct forum, the user must create a new thread by clicking on the new thread button. Then the user can post their question and receive responses.
Scenario 2: Sharing Experiences
Fabio had the lap band surgery 6 months ago. He is making great progress and wants to share his experience with others. He must first register to become a user and have access to the site. Fabio logs into the lapbandtalk forum and posts his before and after picture to show what great progress he’s making. Fabio decides to create a blog to write about his experience and progress. Fabio clicks on the Tab at the top of the page titled BLOGS. Each member registration comes with a blog. Fabio posts his life changing story on his blog for other member’s to read.
Online identities are created using many different components. Users create a profile, and avatar (usually a post surgery picture). Demographic information like age, location, and number of posts gives you an idea of where the person is from, and how active they are in the forum. The purple flower tape measure at the bottom shows a visual of the weight loss progress. I think the measuring ticker tape the user chooses says a lot about their personality. I have seen flora designs, sports themes, and plain lines. Progress monitoringe can factor into online identity as well. If you are someone who has lost 100+ lbs you are more credible because of your success versus someone who has only lost 15lbs might not have as much credibility because they do not have as much experience or success.
Users share their stories and experiences, create blogs, and post in the various discussion forums.
Ploderer’s article Technologies that Support Healthy Lifestyles would be a great addition to this website’s features. I can see how posting your weigh and progress is a form of “the use of public
displays to motivate moderate exercise.”
My definition of online identity is influenced by my perception of the internet as being annonymous to begin with and having the blank slate as an opportunity to create the persona of your choice. My definition is: Online Identity is a self constructed personality used to represent a person in an online community. There is so much that we can use to create an identity. What differentiates an online identity from a real world identity, is that we have complete and total control in creating an online identity. There are no predetermined variables that represent who we are in cyberspace. The foundation of our real life identities are usually predetermined or not easily changed. Factors like, ethnicity, cultural heritage, religion, appearance, social status, income, etc. Liu’s article defines identity in terms of saying that you are what you like and consume. “Taste statements” are used to show the world who you are. This identity is shown through a profile that displays what your likes are in categories such as books, music, movies, television, and general interests. I have to say that it’s a very western consumer culture version of identity. Many cultures base identity on where you come from, what you do, family ties. Liu states that taste is shaped by socioeconomic factors and aesthetic factors. The identity based on Liu’s definition is based on what you like and what you can afford to purchase. Boy, my online identity is looking pretty bleak, broke grad student - closet country music fan. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone.Lap Band TalkFor this session, I choose the http://www.lapbandtalk.com/ forum because I am closing in on my 1 year anniversary as a proud lap band owner. For those of you who have not seen the commercials, it’s a weight loss tool that is surgically implanted to restrict food intake. Yeppers, I had weight loss surgery and have lost 50lbs in 10months, yeah me! Of course that also means that the Food Network is my version of porn.
Scenario 1: Posting a Question
Ibeatanorexia is a relatively new user. The user must register first, then go to the forum tab at the top of the screen. Once at the forum, the user must select the appropriate sub-forum to post in. The user clicks on the forum titled “post operation Q&A.”
Once in the correct forum, the user must create a new thread by clicking on the new thread button. Then the user can post their question and receive responses.
Scenario 2: Sharing Experiences
Fabio had the lap band surgery 6 months ago. He is making great progress and wants to share his experience with others. He must first register to become a user and have access to the site. Fabio logs into the lapbandtalk forum and posts his before and after picture to show what great progress he’s making. Fabio decides to create a blog to write about his experience and progress. Fabio clicks on the Tab at the top of the page titled BLOGS. Each member registration comes with a blog. Fabio posts his life changing story on his blog for other member’s to read.
Online identities are created using many different components. Users create a profile, and avatar (usually a post surgery picture). Demographic information like age, location, and number of posts gives you an idea of where the person is from, and how active they are in the forum. The purple flower tape measure at the bottom shows a visual of the weight loss progress. I think the measuring ticker tape the user chooses says a lot about their personality. I have seen flora designs, sports themes, and plain lines. Progress monitoringe can factor into online identity as well. If you are someone who has lost 100+ lbs you are more credible because of your success versus someone who has only lost 15lbs might not have as much credibility because they do not have as much experience or success.
Many user’s post before and after photos to show their progress and inspire others. This shows the transformation the person has made and their new identity as a healthier individual. Most discussion forums don’t use real pictures, but the nature of this site encourages people to post their photos. It feels more real because you can see the actual person instead of an avatar or other symbol. The term the “new me” is often used to describe the person’s new identity.
Users share their stories and experiences, create blogs, and post in the various discussion forums.
Ploderer’s article Technologies that Support Healthy Lifestyles would be a great addition to this website’s features. I can see how posting your weigh and progress is a form of “the use of public
displays to motivate moderate exercise.”
My first reaction to your point about, "There are no predetermined variables that represent who we are in cyberspace." I think cyberspace, in time, will present MORE predetermined variables than real life. Put your name in Google and you could easily find forums, or websites, or any number of things you participated in years ago. Unfortunately, all this helps are stalkers, but your past, and how it affects your current identity, is stored in someone's server logs, and there's no way to get around it.
ReplyDeleteI like how your scenarios and example were just like the body builders, but with subtle differences that can affect identity. I wouldn't think of lapbandtalk.com as based around a "passion-centric" activity, but it does involve health, a particular lifestyle, and progress can be made. Do users stick around after a while? Body building has no real "end" since one can continue training and competing for as long as they want. What happens to users when they've reached an optimal weight? Does the community help support users to maintain their new lifestyle?
It seems like one thing everyone would have in common is their before/after. I initially thought that immediately posting pictures would introduce an element of vanity into one's identity, but in this type of community, like the body builders, it becomes less of a stigma -- I can't remember where the paper talked about how displaying their bodies wasn't an act of narcissism, but just a matter of fact thing to do.
Do you plan to continue this with your final project? I've written myself into curiosity of how this site would differ from the body builder site, and how that affects someone's identity.
In terms of the predetermined What an interesting site for this assignment. However, it seems little bit difficult to identify users, because I have seen many people in this kind of website create fake profiles for promoting purpose. In terms of the predetermined variables, I agree with karhai that it’s inevitable to avoid having Google track you unless you provide a totally different identity (email, personal info, etc) every place you register.
ReplyDelete