The first time I heard about Second Life was last year in my Critical Thinking & Writing class and I was just briefly introduced to the concepts behind this virtual world. When I would be asked about virtual worlds online I would simply imagine World of Warcraft or The Sims. Yet after touching upon Second Life in class during the TED talks and then reading a paper on Sex Lives in Second Life, I came to the realization that the virtual worlds are trying to mimic or transfer the same norms that current society has imposed on people. I find it hard to believe that people are not using these virtual worlds to create a new sense of community and a complete different society where equality whether in gender, race, or any other social identifier is diminished.
In the virtual worlds, one is able to choose their appearance and the personality characteristics they please which can help them create a certain identity they would wish to become. Yet, some people are simply playing it safe and don’t want to be outcasts just like they would possibly be in real life. In second life, people are able to manipulate everything from the appearance of their avatar to the environment they are interacting with. It is as if one is one’s own God in this virtual world so why aren’t people trying to correct the wrongs in our society like racism, sexism, and all those discriminatory and harmful aspects existing in today’s society?
I believe that people are too selfish at times and they care about their image a little too much. Also, many can be seen as conformists and just like to go with the flow. But if one comes to think of it, why don’t we use these virtual worlds as a trial-and-error mechanism to help improve our society? Online one cannot be physically judged or be placed in categories unless they reveal their social identifier characteristics like race, gender, social class, etc. The way we act is what determines any classification or judgment by other individuals.
For example, sexism is still part of our society like it was hundreds of years ago. Patriarchal views still exist and will continue until someone does something about it. What really hit me hard is the way Second Life is being consumed by the patriarchal culture. Unlike my suggestion of trying to utilize this virtual world to better our society, it is instead being manipulated to further continue to degrade individuals based on their gender and sexual preferences. Women continue to be seen as sexual objects that men should dominate over just like it is in the real world, it is being portrayed in this virtual world of Second Life. Even though engaging in any sexual practice is voluntary for any avatar in Second Life, if women agree to engage in sexual activity, they will always take the passive role and the men the dominant one. There is no option given for a woman to reverse the roles. Also, I hate the fact that the meaning of rape is being changed in this virtual world to be seen as something acceptable and normal. Those who have supported this option in Second Life and engage in “raping” an avatar are those types of people who justify rape as sexual role play. They are saying that when a woman does not consent to sex, they in reality saying they do want it and being completely dominated by a man is part of role play. This is not true and is creating a belief in Second Life that rape is not a sexual assault, but rather a form of sexual play. This degrades and further suppresses women by placing them as sexual objects that need the dominance of a man.
Second Life and other virtual worlds are being misused and further creating a more socially destructive society than what we are living in today. Instead of supporting a positive change and promoting good values in this world we are able to control, people are taking advantage of their unlimited freedom to further degrade certain individuals and minorities. There needs to be some kind of change or reform in Second Life to help create a better environment.
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