Did anyone else find Lessig “ Four puzzles from cyber space” alarming? Each of the four stories raised questions marks about the capabilities of cyberspace and the regulation of it.
Before I read the text, I assumed that the main tribulations society faced in relation to the evolution of the internet were identity thief, scams, child porn, copy right and more recently, the effects of online bullying through the increase use of social media sites like good old Facebook.
And while I have never, and still don’t question, the importance and necessity to regulate and enforce laws surrounding these issues. I didn’t think it was for right for governments like china to put bans and restrictions on the use of the Internet to “ prevent deliver of offending sites”. I like the notion that the World Wide Web is a platform for freedom of expression and by government s censoring and filtering sites takes away this freedom.
However, now I am a little unsure on where I stand. Maybe more restrictions are needed to be put in place across all countries?
The story Jakes communities and Borders really opened my eyes to the different aspects of cyberspace. The discussion we had during tutorial about war of world crafts left me thinking, “ What is wrong with these people? Its just a game!”
I found Jakes communities alarming. Yes, I understand that he wrote fiction, however, who’s to say that audience are able to distinguish or maintain the understanding that it’s not real. I’m pretty sure that in most societies these wouldn’t be considered the ‘norm’ nor should they be.
Borders I found interesting. These gamers are intense! I had no idea how much time people put into the cyberspaces. I goggled some articles on such communities, and what I found also strike a concern. Couples starving their real child while nurturing their online one, a boy being stabbed in the head with a knife for cheating in a game and a girl running over her boyfriend over a gaming dispute. Whether I understand these extreme actions or not, I can relate to the feelings and emotions these people must go though when something they have dedicated so much time doesn’t go to plan.
Maybe restrictions and regulations are needed for gamers also? Easier said than done I know. If its not achievable then warnings, education and awareness of the physical, emotional and psychological implications that make occur when in cyberspace.
I now know that what happens is cyberspace can, and does, impact people in real time/life. Are we going to see more of these issues? Should the Internet remain a platform of “freedom of expression” without regulations? My answer used to be no leave it be but now ????
Gamer stories:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/05/korean-girl-starved-online-game
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1260043/Chinese-video-gamer-survives
