CH 5. Coming of Age in Second Life

In this chapter, the author beings to talk about “the self” and persona within SL. He talks about the notions of “role” and how it has shaped conceptions of identities online. A screen name can be seen as playing a role, but in SL, the author finds that residents don’t consider themselves role playing. In fact they feel that they are being themselves.  On the other hand, the notion of self hood and actuality vs. virtuality exists.  An example given in the book is of celebrities that have second life avatars and find out what it’s like to live like a normal person.  People have distinct difference between SL lives and there actual lives.  I feel that SL provides a good space in fin out what other things are like.  One can create another identity and discover new aspects of life themselves while keeping there actual life identity anonymous.  It can be seen as a learning tool and a way to interact and discover new things that are unavailable for one to discover in actual life.