Compu-sex Erotica for cybernauts
Gareth Branwyn in his article "Compu-sex Erotica for Cybernauts" he argues that the internet is not only a place for bonding and accepting self idenity but also for substituting those real life experiences that aren't so accepting of them. He supports this argument by using examples from the internet to show how many are confused about a person gender because of a made up identity. Gareth Branwyn's purpose is to show how people use these fake identities to be accepted in ways other than socially. His intended audience are those who use the internet to engage in cyber-sex.
I found it interesting that many of the people online discarded their true identities to appear in a greater light more accepted by others. Little did they know, the others were doing the same thing. Many times they engaged in sex with a same sex partner. Even after extensive questioning they still were unsure but continued what they were doing. The concept of how they had sex was also interesting. The instruments were intriguing.Substituting real sex with cyber-sex would not be something I would participate in.
Discovery writing 4
There are some things in technology that I cannot live without. For one, contact lenses. I can however see an image but no distinct detail. I hate to wake up without them in. I wouldn’t be able to drive nor go to class. I can remember when I first knew that I needed them. I was in the 8th grade and I was staring at the chalk board. I wished daily that the teacher would wash it sometimes. Later after another teacher had the class do the yearly eye exam in class she suggested that I get an eye doctors appointment. After going and getting glasses, I returned to the class where I now saw that the chalk board wasn’t as dirty as I always thought it was. My cell phone is another. I guess I could live without it if I tried. But after breaking a phone or having it turned off or something, it feels as if a part of life is missing. You get phone sick. I also have this thing where I feel naked if I forget to put on my watch in the morning. I find now that I sleep in my watch so that that never happens.
Other things such as air condition or microwaves, I think I could live without. I lived here on campus in two dorms that had neither. Its something you have to get used to. At first I was dependant on the TV but I noticed that even with one I sometimes just have it on for the noise. There really isn’t anything on half the time. Some people even set the timer for a particular show to watch. The TV is off all the other time. But I do know that I would rather not live without these things. And I’m glad that I have the choice. In life we sometimes need things to seem simpler. We go through a lot and everything is set on a deadline. So things like calculators and computerized machines help us in those situations. I can count and do mathematical things without a calculator, but why? Why waste time when something else could be done. The world seems to favor the fast paced; those who can get things done more efficient and faster. We are changing the past and forgetting the old ways but in a way that’s the best. Tines change so must we. Technology erases ignorance and it helps out a lot of people. With sickness, fatigue, nervous breakdowns, etc. It also causes them. I guess it’s up to the person how they overdo or under do the uses of technology.
Blog communities
At
I found that many of the people on this blog site used it as a way of unloading stressful days. They used it kinda like a diary. Everyone seemed to share the need to express simpithy for the other or offer ways to fix the others problems whether they were useful or not. On some blog entries the responses had people who shared similar beliefs and i noticed that even if someone didnt agree the person didnt feel bad about it. They felt that this space provides an area that allows them to be themselves and it be okay. No one can touch you online. They dont have to see them daily. They will never meet them at all if they dont want to.
"Gated Communities In Cyberspaces"
May 28, 2004
Ellen F. Harshman, James E. Fisher, William B. Gilliespie, James F. Gilsian, and Fred C. Yeager in their article “Gated Communities In Cyberspace” argues that physical design can determine a spaces safety including internet communities. They supports this argument by comparing Internet spaces to those of actual neighborhoods that attract “crime” because of it lacking gates or surrounding protection. The author’s purpose of writing the article is bring attention to the fact that governed areas are safer in order to prove that the internet can also be a safe place if governed correctly. Their intended audiences are those who surf the Internet and whose sites are under attack by hackers and activist.
Approaching the Radical Other
Susan Zickmund's in her article "Approaching the Radical Other" brings to our attention that in an online sanction not all characteristic become acceptable and free, some become the subject of cruelty and hatred making the internet a closed community. She supports this by providing the reader with different historical facts that prove the increase of hate groups and cynical beliefs throughout the world because of the Internet. The author’s purpose is to inform its readers that the Internet can be a place of ridicule for some as well as a getaway for others. In order to help create the notion in our minds that if the Internet is a place to be you and to get away, it should be a safe place for all to go and not be a place for some to be ridiculed and offended. Susan’s intended audience is anyone who engages in online chatting and surfing. Also those of the labeled groups that she mentions in the article.
I found the places of origin interesting for the different hate groups. In North Carolina History I learned of the ones founded here. It doesn’t amaze me that there are so many and that they thrive so well on this planet. Acts are accepted as a right to free speech. Some are masked so well that if anyone were to speak on the possibility they would be chastised for pulling the figurative “race card”. Some choose to ignore. But isn’t it there right to believe what they wish, true or not? So should we reprimand them for voicing their way of life, living as a hateful being?
Many confuse the issue of race to be between that of the white race and the black race, but so many others exist. She points it out in the article that, races, religions, beliefs, and lifestyles are victims of hate. To type in the word hate or even a hate group on the Internet, you find that millions of sites pop up. You can only be yourself in an area where others are like you. You aren’t technically being yourself you are joining an accepting group. Not everyone is “free” or welcome.
The Internet has no constraints. By reading Zickmunds, it gives you a new way of understanding the reasons why so many new believers are created by the results sought after on search engines.
“…this new Medium has affected the cohesiveness of subversive organizations
…now discover the means of propagating their messages are beyond the narrow confines…”(Zickmund)
A persons beliefs or opinions can not be erased because a web site is removed from a search engines results. Nor is it any fault of the search engines.
"We are also disturbed about the search results, so we have gone out of our
way to inform us about how to interpret the search results (with a public disclaimer).
Our goal is to have the most trusted and objective search experience possible."(Brandon)
How much responsibility does the search engine have when it comes to its results? It must cater to all, regardless of personal beliefs. Bringing up the issue of offense is a way to show that the opinions of some people aren’t tolerated and that Google condoning of the information isn’t either. A way of saying that “ we too have a place here and your beliefs and actions shall not move me”.
Communities
Alisa Beatty
English 3810
May 28, 2004
Four Groups
Four groups that I am a part of are my family group, my group of friends here at ECU, Sterling Manor Living group, and the college of communications group. Each group knows me and interacts with me on a daily basis whether they know my name or sees me regularly.
My family group is a Gemeinschaft community. Even though I have a very large family, we tend to form our own special groups that stick together the most. The ones that are regularly at every family function and who contributes to family needs. This part of the family knows my name, my nicknames as a child, and all of the mischievous things I took part in. They have been there through every graduation since elementary school. Everyone keeps their role in the family. You are to keep in touch with each family member and never spend more time with one than the other. Elders respected and cared for, children watched and raised according to Grandmas rules. Everyone else takes on the labor roles and equally helps with each section of the family. No one is to let the family appear to be less than they are. Less is not accepted. Ignorance is not accepted.
In my own writing, I was thinking that I’m not in any gemeinschaft groupings, even family. Often, I watch movies or think of families like the one you describe and yearn for them, thinking life might somehow be better or more meaningful if I were part of a group. Yeah, it would be annoying sometimes, to have everyone know my past mistakes or whatever – and yet, isn’t it somehow rewarding to know that even though they know about these things they still love you or still want you in their community? That makes me think there’s some valuable qualities to gemeinschaft-like groups.
I wonder, as I read this, though, what are Grandma’s rules? If Grandma were running a chat room, what could you say and what couldn’t you? Wouldn’t that be funny to write about your grandmother as a cyber-guru, one in control of a particular cyberspace? How might that space be different in Gradma made the rules? For that matter, how might some of your gesellschaft relationships – like at your apartment complex – be different if Grandma’s rules were in place? You could write a funny and interesting couple paragraphs on that scenario! (Will, 05/28/04)
Your description of your family community reminds me of a book I had to read on studying different cultures. The way you explain the unwritten rules is very similar to those of communities in the past and present, and I’ve never thought of families as being miniature societies in that sense – but the way you explained your family structure makes a good connection. Also, is there anyone in your family who does not follow these rules, or is like the black sheep of the family who never abides by the unwritten rules? If not, if someone were to stop living by these rules in your family, how would everyone react? Has anyone ever done anything to make people think less of the family? It would be interesting if you could give consequences of not following your ‘family code’. –JoEllen-
"Children and the Internet"
"Children and the Internet", written by computer partners, talks about the Internet plays a positive role in children’s lives. This argument exists because others feel that the dangers outweigh the benefit of technology itself. More study and testimony may bring erase this belief. But is that a realistic goal? Parents tend to be over protective and in turn prevent their children from experiencing life. Until the world becomes a better place this goal may never be reached. He argues that child protection enables children to have a fun and safe time surfing the Internet. According to many parents they feel that they can leave their children alone and still monitor them successfully. Some believe the opposite because their children know more about technology then they do and they feel that when the child is out of reach anything could take place. This is similar to parents not allowing their children to date or go out at high school age. They are setting their children up for a hard time in college and may have messed up their sense of boundary. Creating naive inexperienced adults. I believe that the Internet does provide a positive influence over children. Trust in your children would help to solve this dispute and allowing them to grow up. As the article argues there are many ways of monitoring them still and sites have taken it upon themselves to help out.
Foucaults Idea
While having a discussion in another class the subject of staying connected and the use of cell phones and cameras came up. Someone had heard somewhere that the government was now taking precautions in order to keep us safe to provide cameras in places during big events or places like the stop lights not only to catch red light runners but to watch for other unsafe actions we may take. They also may begin monitoring our cell phone calls as to prevent planned violent acts. You can obtain phone conversations already and accounts as to where someone has been by tracking credit card purchases or store cameras. This is not only a privacy issue but also a way that the government as well as other groups can discipline or regulate us. The fact that now these things can be connected to our government just makes it worse. Almost like a communist society where soon books, television, and the radio could be regulated to the point of no existence. Foucault believed that we as a whole are a society shaped by our “supervisors”or “disciplinarians”, almost like prisons. We argue that we are a free nation but slowly we are backing away from that. Keeping us in our place is “their” job. This brings the concept of the “They” or “The Man” that so many people talk about. Its just becoming more apparent to everyone as a whole that the group or person does exist.
