Chapter 9

As we get to the last chapter of the book Tom Boellstorff discusses the ‘virtual.’  I think it is well spoken when he says “for the first time-create new worlds for human sociality.”  In this chapter he discusses virtual in a multiple of ways.  The first he discusses virtually human,  Here he basically says the virtuallity has always been a part of the human condition (238) and through technology one is able to create new worlds, with characteristics to study.  In Culture and the online, he discusses researching culture in virtual worlds one has to “familiarize themselves with theories of culture orginating in anthropology and other disciplines” (240)  One also has to understand that ethnography isn’t ordinary qualitative method (241).  In the simulation section it discusses, obviously, simulation.  SL does not really simulate anything but really approximate aspects.   The fiction and design section discusses all the aspects of why the places you are able to see seem ‘real’ in SL.  This is due to the relationship one has in the first life.  Boellstorff also discuss the Massively Multiple which basically he says that MMORPGs are only half accurate.  This is because it focuses on the individual and not the group.  It is beneficial to approach it as a notion of “network” (247). The section “Toward an anthropology of virtual worlds” there are many aspect to a human being and many ways to live as an individual or group.  One is able to create an identity and have others react to it and that is one of the beautys of SL.