In "A Rape in Cyberspace" Dibbell discusses the story of Mr. Bungle who is a sexually violent character that is made up of real life and virtual life. The story takes place in a mansion in the halls of LambdaMOO where there was more than a thousand residents. Mr. Bungle was able to rape by a voodoo doll that was in their image and then he would manipulate the doll and force them to have sex with him, each other, and to do unimaginable things to hurt themselves. What Dibbell argues is that what the victims didn't experience in real life couldn't hurt them, but she wants to consider how that wisdom would sound to a woman who had experienced this type of violence.
I also think that when you involve yourself in these types of societies that your real emotions and fears will come into play. I think it can be very scary to witness or be the victim of the type of violence Mr. Bungle was putting out there. A part of me also says to just get off that space and be done with the weirdos. People can't hurt you if your not there to hurt. If this person knows you in real life and you notice this crazy behavior after you've left a specific site, then you have a lot bigger problem. I would involve the authorities at that point.
Dibbell, Julian. Chapter One of My Tiny Life, 1998. The Village Voice, December 1993.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I don't usually put much stock in the notion - Buyer Be Aware, but I think it helps to be educated as to the type of site one is getting involved with. Therefore a person will be more aware of the possibilities of what could happen within a given site and be able to decide for themselves if those social parameters meet or exceed their personal expectations.
ReplyDeleteI have evaluated your blog and comments (where applicable). My comments on this week's assignment can be found at: http://academicsandbox.com/DTC475blog/?p=75
ReplyDelete