“RL is just one more window”, he repeats, “and it it´s not usually my best one” (1)

The creation of online identities is an issue that has been debated since the beginning of the network and the mass access to the Internet. Today, using a computer and connect to the network is easier than ever. To interact with others, you must create a user profile on the website of your choice. Online games, social networking, blogs, among others, require that the person chooses certain features that allow others to identify her. When you are online you get a“virtual identity”.

Experts such as S. Trukle, claim that this process involves the creation of different identities according to the site you visit. This is similar to real life, where people adopt certain attitudes and play a role according to the group to which they relate. The issue is that, in the online world, there is less control of identities and they can become something totally different from what they are on real life.

That is the risk involved, when a user feels that his online life is better than his real one. “RL is just one more window”, he repeats, “and it it´s not usually my best one” .

This can even lead to a diseases level, where the person chooses to turn into her online identity over her real life one. This can be seen at the Tv seriel “The Big Bang Theory”, on the third chapter of the second season, named The Barbarian Sublimation, where Sheldon introduces Penny in massives multiplayer online games. Penny becomes addicted and lose consciousness of her life in some way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUB7o2oT74c&p=D58AB19AFD19577C&playnext=1&index=47


(1) Turkle, S. (1995) “Life on the Screen; identity in the age of the Internet. New York; Simon and Schuster. (Introduction: Identity in the age of Internet” pp. 9-26.