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Caption: Expression of online personalities Creator: Ambro Source: freedigitalphotos.net |
“Mix socially with others” as defined by Oxford Dictionaries (2011).
In current society, individuals are re-defining the notion of social connection through shared understandings of codes, languages and signs of performance on the world wide web (Donath and Boyd 2004, 73; Pearson 2009, 2).
The convergence of new media technologies (e.g. Internet, imagery and chat rooms) on Web 2.0 allows individuals to take the centre-stage on online networking platforms as curator's of the online self (Hogan 2010, 1).
The convergence of new media technologies (e.g. Internet, imagery and chat rooms) on Web 2.0 allows individuals to take the centre-stage on online networking platforms as curator's of the online self (Hogan 2010, 1).
'Do individuals communicate the truth about themselves or are we all actors under the media's spotlight?'
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Caption: In the Spotlight Creator: Ginta Lapina Source: photographyoffice.com |
I argue that individuals in contemporary society use social networking platforms as a playful space to conceptualise an impression of their ideal self. With a heightened self-consciousness (Chan 2000, 271-285) users resemble actors who deliberately construct a front stage performance, misrepresenting the truth (Goffman 1959, 12-19; Pearson 2009, 1-2).
The AusGovDBCDE (2008) video suggests,
"There's a sense of identity being played out (on) social networking sites (which) is fuelling a consumers' interesting set of activities around telling lies and keeping secrets."
(AusGovDBCDE 2008)
McIntyre's (2010) blog 'Who are you when you're on the Internet' supports the idea of social networks as impression management tools.
Comparatively, Monk's (2011) 'Constructing our Online Self' challenges this concept through Donath and Boyd's (2004, 71-82) idea of communicating an "honest self."
As this emerging culture expands, individuals are offered a theatrical platform to define their own appearance within cyberspace. However, how far will we go to blur the line between the ideal self online and reality?
As this emerging culture expands, individuals are offered a theatrical platform to define their own appearance within cyberspace. However, how far will we go to blur the line between the ideal self online and reality?
As social networkers, I urge you to consider,
'Where do we draw the line between front stage and back stage?'
Reference List
AusGovDBCDE. 2008. "Digital Economy Forum: Presentation by Dr Genevieve Bell (Intel)." YouTube video posted April 28. Access March 4, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE6QWUKIP5M.
Chan, Sharon. 2000. "Wired Selves: From artefact to performance." CyberPschology and Behaviour 3 (2): 271-285. Accessed March
Donath, J. and D. Boyd. 2004. "Public Displays of Connection." BT Technology Journal 22 (4): 71-82. Accessed 11 March, 2011.
Goffman, E. 1959. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. 1st ed. Garden City, New York: Doubleday.
Hogan, Bernie. 2010. "The Presentation of Self in the Age of Social Media: Distinguishing Performances and Exhibitions Online."
Bulletin of Science Technology Society 30 (6): 377-386. Accessed March 10, 2011. http://bst.sagepub.com/content/30/6/377
McIntyre, Jess. 2011. "Who are you when you're on the Internet," New Media Interpretation, March 12. http://jmcintyrekbc206.blogspot.com/.
Monk, Jessica. 2011. "Constructing our Online Self," New Media Musings, March 13. http://jessicamonkkcb206.blogspot.com/2011/03/contructing-our-online-self.html.
Oxford Dictionaries. 2011. “Socialize.” Accessed March 12, 2011. http://oxforddictionaries.com/view/entry/m_en_gb0788180#m_en_gb0788180.005.
Pearson, Erika. 2009. "All the World Wide Web's a Stage: The Performance of Identity in Online Social Networks." First Monday 14 (3): 1-8. Accessed 11 March, 2011. http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/2162/2127
Wow, truly an insightful look into socialisation. Excellent integration of The Presentation of Self. I really enjoyed how you conceptualised the virtual self as a separate entity.
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