Virtual Identities can be a very controversial topic, depending on the individuals who speak on it. Me personally I can't understand or see why or how people portray themselves to be a completely different person in their private virtual worlds outside of the real, reality world. Today in class we watched some videos of people who openly admitted to portraying themselves as soemone different than who they are in real life, either to "make themselves feel better", or to "make their lifestyle livings more appropriate or okay." Me personally, I think that just means those individuals just have not yet matured and grown. A part of growing and learning is learning and knowing and accepting yourself, so if those individuals who portray themselves differently in the virtual world then obviously they have not yet grown to accept and know themselves. With that being said, I do find it interesting how the acceptance of certain things and people reactions are different between reality and virtual worlds. How was it that in both cases of the two girls who portrayed differently on the internet was accepted yet in reality they were not? What is the difference and why are they more likely to be accepted when in reality they are reaching out more in the virtual world?
I think the concept of the virtual world seems easier to people, that regardless of acceptance and non acceptance, in the virtual world it doesn't matter as much because it doesn't, in reality, really exist, perhaps? The problem with this concept is people are getting lost and deceiving others through the virtual world which in turn can be dangerous and problematic. This can consist and yes far stretching but it does occur, through child molestors and falso identities. Personally speaking virtual identities is a stretch and risky and unacceptable.
I most definitely agree with this post, and you bring up some great points. When we were watching those videos in class i couldnt understand why those girls portrayed themselves as a whole different identity online, and thought it was normal. If people arent getting accepted in their actual life and are seen as an outcast, it makes sense that they would turn to the internet for extra attention. However just as you said, why do they have to create a whole new identity to do so? Since the people they are seeking attention from dont personally know them, you would think they can still be their actual self online instead of a new one. I believe they are accepted from people online because of that reason that no one actually "knows" them personally. It's crazy because the people online dont even know these arent their true identities. I also agree with how you said that people like the virtual world because it doesnt really "exist". It is a very deceiving concept of these alternative online identities, and just isn't fair. People should actually try being themselves online and see if they get the same attention, and may be very surprised to see that they will.
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