Turtle believes that people have many different identities through different parts of their life. She talks about how people become who they want online as if they step into virtual world and become their hearts desires. In many ways this is true because no one online know that you’re not who you say you are so it allows you to look within yourself and become someone that you many actually be afraid of becoming. Baym agrees with Turtle concept of identity and that when in the virtual world we develop a new identity which allows people to choice who they want to be. Baym actually quotes Turtle on page 107 regarding “the self is no longer simply playing a different role in different settings at different times.” Baym points out a good point that many people have relationships online which may be due to a lie being told and many try to use this a proof for a divorce however, physically nothing was done other than each other expressing words. She also states that with the use of avatars someone could steal but can that person be held accountable? As we develop these new identities does that give us a lead way to actually do what we want to do because we know that it is not reality?
CMC context in Turtle work differ from the blog that I am following. Turtle discuss that the internet is used as a way to escape reality and form the identity that you may have been suppressing. However, my blogger is not forming a new identity she is opening the door to herself to allow you to see her true side or identity. She is not escaping reality she is trying to show everyone what she consider to be normal. She present her identity to be as another, wife and friend and does not give the impress that she has taken on other roles or identities.
I’m not sure you can say with certainty that no one can identify you online. It depends on the medium. Turkle studied MUDs and virtual worlds, and many people could easily disguise their physical self that way (although they identied themselves in other way e.g. avatars, usernames, character features, etc). On Facebook and Twitter, some of the research shows that people are less inclined to come up with fictional personas. We may enhance our image, but generally we base it on reality.
You asked “As we develop these new identities does that give us a lead way to actually do what we want to do because we know that it is not reality?” I would say No, if you have a certain personality in MUDs, Facebook, ,Twitter, or anywhere else, you will always be what you are. No matter how good you are in hiding things and your real ideantity, people will know you because no one can decieve people for ever. But back to your question, I would say that if you are honest in your real life you will be the same everywhere, and if you are natural born lier everybody will noticed that and no matter what you do you can’t change it. But if you have the chance in a certain game for example to be that devil that you always wish to be you will enjoy being what you want to be at that particular time, then you will get back soon to your real you.
I agree you cannot deceive people forever because many people cannot remember the lies they tell in order to keep up the lie. I understand you point about playing a game because it just like make believe play when you are young. You take on the an identity but soon you go back to your real self.
I think she believes that people become someone else online because she studied virtual communities that were developed with the intention of people taking on new identities. I think when we get into social networking sites; people tend to try to be themselves even if they try to paint the best picture of themselves. Online identities do allow people to become someone they’re not, but they can also allow someone to express a side of them that doesn’t get seen in offline communication.
Interesting view that it seems your blogger is exposing her “true” self. I guess I am not sure how we can validate what someone’s true self is on line. However, I do think that people use their online forums to present desires and needs. For instance, I know of a pinterest user that is pinning absurd things related to sexuality. It is really puzzling because she is married and has 5 children ages 5 to 18. Therefore, she is creating a fantasy world to include the love for women.
The interenet is like a masquerade, everyone has some sort of mask on.
I do agree the internet is like a masquerade and we cannot be sure how we can validate our true self online. How would we determine if someone have a multiple personal disorder and really believe they are they people they present themselves as online.