QotW5: Identity & the Community

The need for an online identity proves to be of great importance if one were to immerse one’s self in the social arena in the virtual world. According to Masum and Zhang (2004), a networked society can provide new applications and possibilities only if it can share opinions and access reputations with ease.

In real time, people will take the trouble to appear presentable to others –be it an organizational function, a seminar or a simple outing of tea and cake. Impressions are made and reputations are built. On the flip side, there are some who take on an identity because they choose to for a variety of reasons.

In the virtual realm, identity plays a great emphasis. For example, when one becomes a member of an online community, it is necessary to acquire an identity if one wants to be noticed and be set apart from everyone else within that community. If you desire your poetry to be read or a buyer to purchase what you have to sell, a positive identity within the community is one you would be aiming for.

In her article regarding identity in the virtual community, Judith S. Donath (1996) talks about identity cues and how they work. She believes that by looking closely at these, it is possible to build online environments that are vibrant. Meaning, ideas and information exchanged are rich and beneficial to others in the environment.

In the virtual world, people are prone to take on an identity that does not necessarily match up with the one they possess in the real world.

The video clip, The Parlor, could not have illustrated this notion better. The characters are first shown sitting around in a waiting room. They wear name tags and they begin talking to each other. This scene actually depicts the types of conversations that usually take place in the confines of an online chat room.

One instance during the video shows how a middle aged man uses a pseudonym so he can appear to be a teenage boy to a teenage girl. By speaking to her in a sexually suggestive way, he is hoping that the girl falls prey to his intentions. So the question is what should we do with the deviant few who wreak havoc within communities by taking on negative identities or worse, masquerading as someone else to fulfill their own self interests?

Is it better to always be on guard against such predatory characters online or is there a way we can exercise flexibility pertaining to online identities by engaging the use of the available monitoring means so as not to insult anybody with our guardedness?

As highlighted by Derek Lackaff (2003), online communities put moderation into practice as to avoid negative scenarios in the environment. This means members work together to keep a lookout for community troublemakers like “flamers” or “trolls” that might be lurking around the domain. According to Lackaff, moderators help to maintain the norms within an online group so information exchange, which is the primary goal of setting up groups, will not be disrupted.

To my knowledge, usually members are told to follow a set of rules or guidelines before joining a community like SGSPREE on livejournal.com. These rules were devised by the community moderators and sometimes may include community etiquette. So even if someone decides to go into a group and wreck havoc under a pseudonym by going against these rules, you can be sure he will not be a member for long. Sometimes sanctions are given to rule breakers. It can go as far as banning the offender from ever entering the group again.

I feel that to be guarded all the time will affect the information and social exchange when one goes into an online group. Donath points out that trust in other participants with regards to their social identity is significant in acquiring a sense of community.

It is far better to use that very same sense of community for controlling community activities and its participants.

References

Banshell Entertainment (Producer). (2001). The Parlor. (Available online from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge2FHDf_L78)

Donath, J.S. (1996). Identity and Deception in theVirtual Community. Retrieved February 22, 2007, from http://smg.media.mit.edu/people/Judith/Identity/IdentityDeception.html

Lackaff, D. (2003). Norm maintenance in online communities: A review of moderation regimes. Retrieved February 22, 2007, from http://lackaff.net/node/20

Masum, H., and, Zhang, Y. (2004). Manifesto for the Reputation Society. First Monday, 9(7). Retrieved February 22, 2007, from http://www.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue9_7/masum/