Definition of Self
For instance, racial influences that impact society also create a hierarchy in social media sites, which causes teens to follow with this trend because of their backgrounds and values. However, racial distinctions appear in video games as well, as Shreyas mentions. Real influences, thus, have the ability to shift into the virtual, which help shape individuals into a specific character based on these preconceptions that exist in the physical world. Moreover, as most of their friends shifted to a specific social network, such as Facebook, more individuals were inclined to move to be with their friends. Relays in friend networks, as a result, construct a component in shaping the virtual self. This shift in the virtual from MySpace to Facebook occurred as a result of the real impacts, which shape not only the world we live in, but also the world we play in.
Likewise, the virtual also plays a toll on the real self. As one invests time in the virtual world experimenting with different embodiments, he/she may find an identity that fits with him/her well. They can assume an identity that may otherwise be impossible in the real, but to be able to live through their virtual self that can influence the real self. For instance, a male in Second Life was able to be a lesbian in the virtual reality and was able to change his sexuality in the real and become transsexual. It is able to create a version of self that returns to the real and, as a result, allows the virtuality to be materialized.
Because of influences from the real and the virtual affect both versions of self, the self is ultimately a mixture of identities of the real and virtual selves. This is accurately shown through Black Twitter, where real issues use social media to garner a community bounded by similar values. Activisms use the virtual to connect individuals to other individuals in the real space, contributing to a communal identity and intensifying social relations. With the social linking the real and the virtual, individuals can discover their values and beliefs that can help them determine their definition of self-identity.
But these definitions are hardly stable. With society adapting and shifting in ways we cannot even imagine, we also must transform and fluctuate with our environment. Influences from companies and their marketing techniques of brandscaping may force us into a mold that they believe we are a best fit for due to the haunting effect that Sarah describes in her work. To learn more about this idea of brandscaping, refer to Kayla's piece on the virtual desiring self. As such, previous social systems may break down and deconstruct, and fragmentation of people may become plausible. New groups may materialize in the real as well as the virtual, most likely on social networking sites, and individuals may switch from one community to another, breaking off from past connections and forming new ones. Zack further explores this Guattarian idea of system deterioration here. As we contribute a wide range of untouched ideas and wade into unknown waters, each individual emerges with his/her opinions that lead them to unearth new revelations about his/herself, allowing them to don a new identity.