I found the article, Tinysex and Gender Trouble by Sheryl Turkle to be extremely interesting. Turkle talks about how life through the computer screen makes it much easier to interact. When one enters MUDS, for example, LamdaMOO they know not to expect someone’s real identity. There are many clues and hint according to how one acts and presents themselves to guess at their real gender. The founder of LamdaMOO said that he, “has observed that when a female-presenting character is called something like FaboluousHotBabe, one can almost be sure there is a man behind the mask.” There are many ways in which one can assume weather the real character behind a simple name is male or female. Many MOO users get extremely involved in their virtual character however, there are still many clues to distinguish between male and female. Getting involved with ones character shows how getting involved in LamdaMOO can effect someone psychologically because there are playing two different people between Real life and virtual life. Psychologically MOO users get emotionally attached to their community online and sometimes let that effect their real life. Turkle says that these virtual worlds can encourage personal growth and self awareness yet, sometimes one can become trapped.
I tend to believe that one becomes trapped and almost gets lost in the distinction between virtual life and reality. I don’t think that one can possibly grow as a person by having a fake persona and not being themselves. However, I have never been apart of a MUD as well as posed as anyone else except myself. I believe that MUDS end up having a negative impact on ones personal growth. People get too involved in online interaction that they feel less comfortable with face-to-face communication. I think people get emotionally trapped in the virtual world therefore, it affects them as a person in the real world.
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I agree that it would be very hard to have a fake persona. I can't image spending hours pretending to be a guy or not have any gender at all. I think that I wouldn't know how to act or what to say. It confuses me that people so willingly fall into this other character. I love real life! Sure it has its ups and downs but doesn't the virtual world as well. I mean the whole article is about a lot of the negatives of a virtual world. I just think its a little strange to live through this avatar when real life is pretty much the same. That is what the creators of the game try to do anyway. Just no wizards lol! I agree with you though.
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