QotW5:Who am I..

Establishing an identity and a reputation is equally important in face to face interaction or in an online setting. However, unertainty is a factor in the virtual realm and so there is a need to place emphasis on identity in order to facilitate interaction. It is also due to uncertainty that people are able to create false identity.

We present ourselves differently in the real world and in the virtual world. The real world provides a more stabilized identity with the presence of physical matter (Donath, S.J., 1996). The virtual world on the other hand can only offer so much. Lack of physical cues require someone who is conversing online to provide more information. In situations where physical contact is absence, it is easier to pose as somebody else. Like how people can make prank calls, online chatrooms can also be a place for people to manipulate others.

Human being is multifaceted. We posses multiple personas. It is not to say that we are not being our 'true' selves, but instead we are able to adapt ourselves to different situations. Suler (2002), explained that cyberspace offers a niche for each of these specific facets of selfhood. Online chatrooms serve as a venue for us to communicate with poeple of similar interest. Sometimes we enter several chatrooms that cater to out specific interests. According to Suler, we can express and develop specific interests and life experiences while setting aside others. This means that if we are in a group devoted to music, we may not need to talk about it in another group that discusses political issues. There are times when we present our true self, while there are times when we take on a different persona. Why?

I believe that the anonymous setting allows us to eliminate certain information that we might not want others to know. I prefer to use my real name in e-mails as it is easier for my contacts to identify me. To me, the purpose of e-mails are to send and recieve messages. In chatrooms however, i go by a nickname taken from a character from a book. This is because, unlike e-mails where most of my contacts know me face to face, chatrooms are full of strangers. In such context, privacy is one of the factors, one hides his true identity. Although we may be the same person, but the manner in which we converse or interact may differ. Without revealing our true identity, we may actually express ourselves more freely. Bargh (2002), discovered that anonymity creates an atmosphere where an individual is free of constraints and expectations from those who know them in real life. People who are socially inept benefit from this anonymous situation. They are unable to gain a sense of belonging in real life but may in fact feel safe online.

Other than creating an online identity that is different from our real life identity, we can also establish a certain reputation in the virtual world. Words make up fro the lack of physical cues. How people precieve us depends on the tone and style of writing. Again, anonymity play an important role. We can choose not to disclose certain information or we can fabricate stories to create an impression. Besides the tone and style we convey online, the username you choose, the persona or avatar you assume in an online community are also important aspects of how people manage their identity in cyberspace (Suler, 2002).

As easy as it is to create or make up an online identity, the more easy it is for someone else to assume our identity. People can wish to change user name whenever they enter a chatroom. As a result, there are users with bad intentions who take on someone else's nicknames. Reputation can be tarnished and it may be hard to identify which one is the real user. Anonymity can also prove to be negative. An example would be online communities, where users want to be unknown because they are making negative remarks or flaming somebody else. However someone has been involved in the chatrooms or communities long enough for others to recognize him through his tone and style, it may be harder for other users to steal his identity.

In conclusion, the two characteristics of online communites namely, uncertainty and anonymity, can be beneficial or harmful. It is an advantage as we are able to express ourselves without any restriction and explore the various facets of our personality. Unfortunately identity theft can ruin one's reputation and loses one's significance in a particular community.

Reference

Bargh, J. (2002). Can You See the Real Me? Activation and Expression of the “True Self” on the Internet. Journal of Social Issues, 58(1). Retrieved February 21, 2007, from http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.sim.edu.sg/ehost/pdf?vid=11&hid=117&sid=27ba6674-d80f-4444-8c70-248153f6f55a%40sessionmgr9

Donath, S.J. (1996). Identity and Deception in the Virtual Community. Retrieved February 21, 2007, from http://smg.media.mit.edu/people/Judith/Identity/IdentityDeception.html

Suler, J.R. (2002). Identity Management in Cyberspace. Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, 4, 455-460. Retrieved February 22, 2007, from http://www.rider.edu/~suler/psycyber/identitymanage.html

QotW4: Internet=Cookies? Yumm...

Share That Cookie
Remember when you were young and you had to bring your lunchbox full of cookies and sandwiches to school? When it was time for a break, you spent your time sharing your cookies with friends.

Bays and Mowbray (1999) used cookies as a metaphor to describe the internet. The idea that cookies are usually shared among children applies to the internet, where various information are being shared everywhere. Cookies can also refer to web cookies which are pieces of data chosen by the web server and then sent to the browser.

Labeled as a Gift Economy, the internet has given users the oppportunity to give and receive content all for free. This generous act allows users with similar interest to share anything without expecting anything in return. However, the rule of reciprocity makes sharing a full cycle. You give and you will tend to recieve. That is the essence of Gift Economy. It is interesting to know that people are willing to give advice or information to complete strangers knowing that they will not gain any monetary profit. There are some things for free after all.

As Kollack (1999) has put it, the motivation of gift-giving is not necessarily altruistic but on the other hand for self-interest. Although not expected, a return of a favor is usually the case in virtual networks. Since a group of people share the same interest, it is only appropriate for them to exchange ideas, information, knowledge and offer help among one another. These information or services are like pool of resources for the individual members to use to their benefit. Just like sharing your cookies with your friends, you don't expect any return of favor immediately but you know that one day it will be your friend's turn to share.

In a community where everyone is similar in one way or another, there is a need to stand out and make yourself heard. Reputation is also a motivating factor in the act of sharing. According to Kollack, the impression created will be based on the contributions made and in turn increase identification in the community. Wouldn't it be flattering if your friends praise you for your delicious cookies and generosity? Keeping up with the reputation motivates a person to constantly contribute to the community and thus benefit those around him. Indeed, the cookie, a term closely related to the Internet, makes a good metaphor to explain the Internet itself as a Gift Economy.

Gift.Is.Free.Take it!

Being an amateur blogger, I tried exploring the different sites related to blogging. I came across sites that allows bloggers to personalize their blogs by choosing the desired template or skin. In my opinion, skinning communities can be considered as a gift economy. In technical terms, skins are custom graphical appearances that can be applied to certain software and websites (Wikipedia, 2007). Sites like Skinz.org and www.blogskins.com , are where community of bloggers design their own blog skins and share it among other users. Best of all, they are free! In addition, members are able to help, give some tips and suggestions through the forums. Under the user's account, other members can also comment on the skin design.

Blogging is taking place in a large scale today such that several communities are set up as venues for fellow bloggers to display their artistic talent, gain constructive comments and learn from each other. Another positive outcome of such communities is that bloggers can also forge relationships with one another. As much as it is for self-interest, i believe that altruism is also a key component in a gift economy where friends help those in need. As more people contribute to the blogging community, a synergy is created. An article by Timothy Wilken posted in The Future Positive (2007), explained that synergic help is when "other individuals understand that by helping you, they will in turn be helped, they will automatically help you.... This is the power of the win-win relationship." 1+1>2 is the equation for synergy where the sum of individual contributions will be exceed the actual sum of contributions. To put it simply, when one person contributes to the blogging community, another person will also shares his input and together, they will not only benefit the rest of the community but also unintentionally take blogging a step further in the virtual world. Each contribution and ideas is significant to the community.

Wilken added that synergic relationships are marked by low conflict with high effectiveness and enormous productivity. He also states that interdependence is the human condition which in my opinion is another component in the gift economy. In the blogging community, members depend each other for help and it is what that moves the economy. Again, we see how members work together to keep the community going. Similar interest, generates passion and dedication as they coorporate to promote blogging or rather activities related to blogging (skin design etc.). As each contributions can possibly increase the size of the group like what Kollack has mentioned, the community will stand to gain more recognition.

In conclusion, Bays and Mowbray cookie metaphor explains clearly the gift economy in terms of giving and receiving without any payment or return of favor expected. Like the skinning community, members have gained extensively by contributing their ideas and works. The cycle goes on as other members continue to receive and in turn contribute their share.

Reference

Bays,H.,Mowbray,M. (1999). Cookies, Gift-Giving and the Internet. First Monday, 4(11). Retrieved February 8, 2007, from http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue4_11/bays/index.html

Future Positive: Gift Economy. (2007). Retrieved February 9, 2007, from http://futurepositive.synearth.net/stories/storyReader$223

Kollack,P. (1999). The Economies of Online Coorporation: Gifts and Public Goods in Cyberspace. Retrieved February 8, 2007, from http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/kollock/papers/economies.htm

Wikipedia: Skin(Computing). (2007). Retrieved February 9, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_(computing)

QotW3: To download or not to download...

Information in the virtual world is easily accessible. It is not difficult for a person to download a file and share it among his peers. Here comes the issue of copyright. Especially in the music industry, artistes have lament over their music being illegaly dowloaded. This means that their music is being circulated for free. According to The Copyright Act of 1976, the items of expression such as literary, dramatic, and musical works; pantomimes and choreography; pictorial, graphic and sculptural works; audio-visual works; sound recordings; and architectural works have the right to be protected. (Copyright Website, 2006) When these works are protected, it means that only the rightful owner have the authority to reproduce the work, to distribute copies of the work, to perform the work publicly and to display the work publicly. (Copyright Office Basic, 2006) If these works are misused or circulated without permission, the owner is able to take legal actions. The owners have the right to take credit for any use of their work and also to gain monetary profit from any sales of their work. So, if the rights of the content creators are protected, does that mean limitations to the public?

Over the years, the music industry has been fighting against piracy and illegal file-trading, claiming that they are the reason for the declining music sales. File sharing software such as Napster and Kazaa have been slammed with many lawsuits. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has taken several measures to curb the problem of illegal downloads. Hundreds of individual file sharers have been tracked down and sued for infringement of copyright. (Will Knight, 2004) The RIAA believes that these acts will make users switch to legitimate uses.

Unfortunately, even with the copyright law, illegal file sharing continue to rise. How then do we benefit both parties? In one situation, the music industry is suffering because copyright laws are infringed, on the other hand, public still download illegally due to certain reasons. Users are aware of the law but they do not see it as a threat. Researchers, Oberholzer-Gee and Koleman Strumpf believe that most downloading is done over peer-to-peer networks by teens and college kids, groups that are "money-poor but time-rich,"... In fact, illegal downloading may help the industry slightly with another major segment, which Oberholzer and Strumpf call "samplers"—an older crowd who downloads a song or two and then, if they like what they hear, go out and buy the music. (Sean Silverthorne, 2004) If downloading can actually help the music industry, we need to do it in a legal manner. Artise and songwriters will seek to benefit if music downloads are charged accordingly. This way, profits can be shared among file sharers and rightful owners. "We need a mechanism that collects a pot of money from file-sharers and divides it up among artists and copyright owners... Known as "voluntary collective licensing," the concept is simple: the music industry forms one or more collecting society, which in turn offer file-sharing music fans the opportunity to "get legit" in exchange for a reasonable regular payment, say $5 per month."(Fred Lohmann, 2004)

I think such a solution will bring about the best of both worlds. Users can now share their music without any worry of breaking the law. The solution also create a balance for both content creaters and the public. With the copyright act, public are not given the opportunity to express their freedon and creativity. Now, since they have paid for their download, they can then have the right to do what they wish with their music. Artistes on the other hand gain monetary benefit from the music downloads.

References

Copyright Office Basic . (2006). Retrieved February 3, 2007 from
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#wci

Copyright Website. (2006). Retrieved February 3, 2007 from
http://www.benedict.com/

Fred, L. (September 29, 2004). Law.com:Is Suing Your Customers a Good Idea?.
Retrieved February 3, 2007 from http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1095434496352

Sean, S. (June 21, 2004). Music Downloads: Pirates—or Customers?. Retrieved February 3,
2007 from http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/4206.html

Will, K. (March 2003). Net music piracy 'does not harm record sales' . Retrieved February 3,
2007 from http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4831