Digital Idenity

This lesson was all about identity online and focused on online video games. The main one that was mentioned was a game called 'Second Life'. A game that was launched in June, 2003 and has lasted for nearly 10 years. It is currently one of many online games that are free to play, which attracts a lot of people who are interested in just trying the game out.

It is intended for people aged over the age of 16, but has many different things about it that attracts those of any age. To sum the game up, it is a virtual world recreated online where somebody can create an avatar and literally have a second life.

From watching videos like the one above, it can clearly be seen that there are no restrictions. Whoever you want to be, no matter how the appearance can be created. A player could even go as far as to create a fictional world and even work in your dream job that you have always fantasized about. This game seems to cater for almost everybody, whether you be a gamer, a loner or you just want to be yourself and make friends. This game states that a player could live your fantasies from the comfort of your own home.

There is a film called 'Surrogates' which starred Bruce Willis playing the starring role as somebody who was almost forced into being an avatar in everyday life. The main pay off was that he had 'no risk or danger' as when his virtual form died, he could just buy another one. Almost like in a video game when you would just respawn. The film goes into great detail about people and how jaded they are when it comes to looking after themselves.

The other main protagonist in the film is a plastic surgeon who removes the avatars faces and then works on them in a rather Gorey way. This could be seen as representing todays real life obsession with plastic surgery and the constant need to want to change the way we look.

A different film that was also mentioned in class was the film 'Avatar', where Humans find a civilisation and use an avatar to try and understand the culture and twist it for their own needs. It's not an original story, and has been seen 100 times in many different forms of entertainment. Like Pocahontas but with blue people instead of indians.

Week 6: Personal Lifetime Storage – the debate

In this lesson, the class was tasked with taking sides between two arguemenets. The side of the people who were 'for' the personal lifetime storage with the leading argument that 'It already exists.' The main things that were discussed was how it could truly effect our memories and how we try to 'recreate our lifes online'.

The class discussed about how a camera could take a picture every minute and upload it online. The people who were against it said that they could be doing something illegal and get caught, and the other half of the class basically pointed out that this could already take place today. Big Brother is always watching.

Week 3.

Digital Immigrants vs. Digital Natives.

The class spoke about who was a 'Digital Immigrant' in today's online society, Also compared and contrasted wasx those of the digital Natives.It was also discussed how most people in modern society's parents are digital immigrants because of the time period that they were born in. Most peoples parents, were born in the 1950's amd didn't have what most have today. They barely had TV's for the longest time. At least without color.

This would also include any other older generations. Anyone who was born before the 1980's are considered 'digital immigrants' were as being a 'Digital native' would be somebody who was born in the 90's. Somebody who was born within the 1990's and was given the chance to grow up with the technology advancements that we've seen in recent years. Most are up to date with the latest technology and trends..