Week 2 - A Holiday to 'cyberspace'

   The reading that caught my attention most this week was Lessig, L. (2006). Four puzzles from cyber space. I'd never before fully considered the term 'cyberspace'. When thinking about how often i am on the internet whether i am on Facebook, Pinterest, Blogger or Stumbleupon, it is possible that i am on the computer for the majority of the day.

   The reading discussed that 'cybcerspace' is a second life for our generation. Sadly, the reality is that 'cyberspace' is possibly somebody's reality. If it were up to me, i would not have a Facebook account but the way technology has advanced, you're practically forced to have one. When i haven't checked my Facebook for a few days i am either left out of conversations about the latest status, missing out on an event or abused for not writing back to a wall post. I say that I wouldn't have a Facebook account if it wasn't necessary but, like so many others, i'm addicted to checking it constantly and have a phobia of missing out on something important. A friend recently said to me that without Facebook, I don't exist and unfortunately that is how a lot of people understand it.

  Further into the reading, the game called 'Second Life' is discussed. Second life is a 3D virtual world where you are able to socialise with people across the world. There has been concerns that second life is morphing individual's ideals about reality and 'cyberspace'. This game, like many others, blurs the lines between reality and 'cyberspace' by pulling things in from reality. For example, you spend money that you earn in reality to put yourself ahead in the game. Whether you own 'cyberspace' land or 'cyberspace' weapons it all means the same. Is it really worth it?

The point I am trying to make with this blog is that people can get so caught up in their online life, they forget that they are actually living one.