According to Turkle, computers profoundly shape our ways of thinking and feeling. They also contribute to how ideas are carried by technology and are reshaped by people for their own purposes. Computers these days are not just changing our lives but also who we are. The internet links millions of people in new spaces that are changing the way we think and form our communities. The ‘life on the screen’ permits us to project ourselves into our own dramas in which we are in control of. Turkle also talks about windows. Windows allow us to be in several contexts at the same time. Another thing this articles brings to our attention is to look at a computer as a calculator; inside it could be mechanically unpacked. But with technology today, computers are not as simple as calculators are. Today it is more than just typing a simple command. We now can paint, crop, fly simulated airplanes cockpits. One of the interesting things while reading this article was how children viewed computer games and then the MUDing with adults. Children knew nothing on the computer was real or lifelike. Children who so effortlessly split consciousness and life are forerunners of a larger cultural movement. On the other hand, adults are out their having cybersex with others while married. Mud’s are a kind of virtual parlor game and a new form of community. The Mud players are their own authors and creators. They become who they want to be and can be as many different people as they want.
This part of the article really got to me. I thought it was kind of disturbing that people were okay with their mate having a sexual experience who another human being. Though it is only words and not actually meeting up the person, they are taking time out of their day, along with wanting and thinking about the act. In another case though, it is a good way to experience what it is like to be the opposite sex. If you are an assertive man it is code for being a bastard and if you are assertive women it is code for modern and together. The double standards of what a women and male should be are something ridiculous. Also, the idea of a person spending 40 hours a week on a computer virtual reality identity is just a waste and appalling to me haha. I feel that is someone wants to be that other person so bad or is that unhappy with themselves that they maybe need to seek help, I do not know. I could not imagine wanting to create another identity or several different ones for that matter and spend numerous hours playing with it. It is like the story about Stewart. Finding someone and having an online date or engagement did not help his social issues or anything else for that matter. It actually hurt him and caused him to have more issues. I think sometimes people get too wrapped up in computer stuff and it is a struggle to get away from it.
After reading the Nakamura article I found that internet does one good thing. Your race is not a factor is anything really. No one has to say what they are unless they want too or asked too unlike when your in person you can clearly see if their black, Asian, or white. It actually gives people a chance and not have to deal with prejudice. Overall, I find it kind of disgusting or creepy that people are so trusting that they will tell or do anything and especially with someone they think they know. They have no clue who is behind the other computer. More young kids these days are taking up adult type activities and if you say your 30 but only 13 and talking to another 30 year old in a sexual manner is just wrong to me and unsafe.
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