Perspectives on Computer Mediation • Spring 2008

13 March 2008

Mediated Identity

A key component of computer mediated communication is that the participants' identities are themselves mediated. The topic of identity in computer mediated contexts is an important one. We'll discuss issues surrounding mediated identity today.

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Readings on Mediated Identity

  • Donath, J.S. Identity and Deception in the Virtual Community. In M. Smith and P. Kollock (eds.) 1998. Communities in Cyberspace. London: Routledge.
  • Goffman, E. Introduction and Chapter 1 from The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. New York: Doubleday, 1956.
  • Hiltz, S. R. and Turoff, M. The Network Nation: Human Communication Via Computer (Revised Edition). Cambridge: MIT Press, 1993. Pages 76-103.

(Goffman and HIltz/Turoff readings will be handed out in class on Tuesday, and also made available in myCourses.)

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Mediated Presence

Think about situations in which your identity and/or communication are mediated, and describe one in a comment here.

For me, what stands out is my participation in the MMORPG World of Warcraft. My character, a troll priestess, is both a representation of me (she "speaks" with my voice, and acts on my commands), and also a mask (she looks nothing like me, and the constraints on her actions and communication definitely shape my interactions with others. This can be both a good thing and a negative thing.

What about you?

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