Virtual Communities A presentation by Craig Massey and My Nguyen

What is a virtual community? Howard Rheingold, who coined the term and is author of The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier, defines virtual communities as: “the social aggregations that emerge from the Net when enough people carry on those public discussions long enough, with sufficient human feeling, to form webs of personal relationships in cyberspace.”

Five components of virtual communities  It is interactive and allows for communication between large groups.  It is designed to attract members who are more than superficially involved in community events, and make new friends.  It has a single defining focus, giving its members reason to return.  It provides services to its members and meets their needs.  It has the potential to develop a strong commercial content.

Why do people build and join virtual communities?  Enables them to socialize  Enables them to work together (business, community issues)  Enables them to have conversations on various topics  Enables them to form relationships without the risk of racial, sexual, religious discrimination

How does the conflict of deception vs. identity take form? + Anonymity, identity is ambiguous + More identity experimentation allowed + Few ways to determine deception + Loss of trust applied to physical appearance, personal referrals

What is the effect of virtual communities on offline lives?  Creates new identities  Creates a digital divide  Creates possible addictions  Produces new kinds of relationships

Religious Virtual Communities Religious communities exist online for all types of religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and even some cyber- religions that first appeared on the internet. These groups first started appearing in the 1990’s.

Religious Virtual Communities  In “Give Me That Online Religion,” Brenda E. Basher says that online religion is an important cultural outlet for maintaining religious heritage and preserving it for future generations.

Religious Virtual Communities  Many websites that offer religious information fall short of being virtual communities.  Although they do offer means of joining established communities (Temple of Set).

Are true online religious communities possible?  There is debate over whether these groups are truly religious communities – some say it is too early to tell.  People argue that too much of the interaction in a community is physical (body language, group tasks, etc).

Are true online religious communities possible?  Others argue that these are among the purest forms of religious communities.  There is no distinction between age, gender, race among worshippers.  The Internet Paradox – global connections vs. isolating individuals

Religion in Second Life In Second Life, there are various locations to practice one’s religion. Followers are aided by text prompts and spiritual teachers in their worship.

Red Light Center Privately owned Massively Multi- User Reality site, modeled at Amsterdam’s Red Light District. An online community offered for free for adults only, featuring sex functions for VIP members.

Red Light Center  The online community site offers virtual night clubs, hotels, bars, movie theaters and stores.  There is virtual currency called “rays” which members can earn and use for services in the community.  As an “adult playground” RLC features a sex function. The avatars are all anatomically correct and the sexual activity is detailed and animated. Users chose a position or action from a menu, then watch it happen with their partner.  There are roles within the community, such as guide, hosts and hostesses, leader, protector, community supervisor, and community moderator.

Interviews with RLC members  How did you learn about Red Light Center?  Why did you decide to join the community?  What does the RLC provide for you that the "real" world lacks?  How long do you feel you will be a part of the RLC community?  Do you think it is possible for people to form true, genuine relationships and friendships via virtual communities?  Why do you think virtual communities appeal to people? Why did it appeal to you specifically?  Do you think that there are harms and risks involved in participating in online communities? How do you try to safeguard yourself from this?  With the ease of deception in terms of people's identities in virtual communities, do you trust the people you meet online? Why or why not?  Do you friends and family in real life know about your online habits? If so, how have they reacted?

Disadvantages  It requires knowledge of reading and writing and typing.  Discrimination is different, but not absent  There are no built-in opinion restraints.  It is easy for a few to dominate discussion.  Obtaining network access can be a problem.  Users must have a computer, or access to a computer.  There is a possibility of losing touch with reality.  It is sometimes difficult to navigate and find items of interest.  The media is not "fixed.”  It increases the change of deception.

Advantages  The technology has the power to bring enormous leverage to ordinary people.  It provides a forum for people to discuss topics of interest.  It allows participation at the convenience of the participant.  It allows participation by many different people from many different places.  It hides race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, etc.  It promotes interaction with others that can lead to physical meetings.  It provides a sense of anonymity.  The media is not "fixed.”  There are no built-in opinion restraints.  It provides skills that may be used with other technologies.