Who Am We?

What are the positive and negative impacts on the lives of the users of the MUDs from modifying their identities?

Wow… Honestly, I think that people who spend all their time using ‘MUDs’ to escape reality probably have some ‘real life’ issues they need to deal with – IN real life. I mean, one of the kids in the articles mentions that he spends around 40 hours a week on these MUD sites. What??? That’s as much time as people spend at a full time job! I’ve watched shows on TV and stuff about people who are unhappy with their real lives, so they use virtual worlds as an escape. What a waste! – in my opinion. But, who am I to judge? I guess if I had to list some positive impacts on these people’s lives, I could come up with a few. It occupies their time with something that isn’t physically harmful, like overeating or drugs – which many people who are unhappy with their lives turn to. I’m not saying that everyone who uses MUDs are necessarily depressed with their own realities, but to spend 40 hours a week in front of a computer screen living a fake life sounds like a problem to me. They can experience things that they might not be able to in real life, like dating, traveling, or living as an animal. If they choose to, people who use MUDs can experiment with different personalities – be outgoing, shy, demanding, passive, outspoken, flirtatious, macho, etc – and see what works for them. Maybe, some people actually develop friendships through MUDs and become comfortable enough to share their problems with others when they normally wouldn’t in real life. Maybe they feel uncomfortable talking about their issues verbally, but in an impersonal setting they are able to open up. The problem with living through MUDs is that they aren’t really living. The physical problems are not going to go away because you ignore them and focus on some fake reality. I think it’s kind of sick that people actually go on the computer and perform acts like rape, or have sex as animals, and they think it’s ok because it’s just on the computer. I mean, sure it’s better than doing it in real life – but it’s still a bit abnormal that it gives them pleasure to behave this way whether it’s reality or cyberspace. I guess in moderation, the MUD life has entertainment value… But the people in this article just sound like they have some pretty heavy issues… And as for the wife of the guy who wants to have sexual endeavors with cyber people – but not have it considered infidelity – lady, lose the weirdo. He should be more interested in hanging out with you than chatting to his fictional mistress who he can’t ever even really be sure is a female. Ugh, it’s just WEIRD.

Which is their real identity: their physical or their digital identity?

I’m pretty sure my feelings on this subject are summed up in the previous question – but, I’ll answer it anyways… Their real identity is their REAL IDENTITY. The role they play in REAL life. The one their mothers gave birth to, who goes to school, who goes to work, who pays bills, who eats, breathes, and goes to sleep at night. The one they can get up and look in a mirror at is their real identity. Get over it and learn to love it.