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Rhizome Experiment, Fall 2015 Main Menu Power team page Rhizome Concept The Virtual and The Real Self Team Overview Page & Tag Intro to the Virtual Self The world of social media, avatars, and the brandscape Simulation Machine Derived from the previous paper to make an introduction to AI, the advanced simulation machine Artificial Intelligence Race and the Social Machine Drone Pilots Full Battle Rattle Technology and the Black Experience Video Games

What Is Self?

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There are two versions of self: the real self and the virtual self. The real self is the physical body and includes the actions one chooses to perform in his/her life. These decisions may depend on time, environment, or economic status. The virtual self is any identity that the user chooses to assume: a male can be female, a mother can be a child, and so forth. The avatars in Second Life, for instance, provide a multitude of possibilities to mix-and-match to produce a character that the user would like. However, these avatars do not have a wide range of skin colors, which illustrates the racial prejudices that exist in the real as well. Anna delves deeper into the racial issues that exist in simulations here. Not only do they exist in simulations, but it also appears in video games as well; any virtual reality can be affected by it. As a result, the real world can influence the virtual self through the social forces that exists in such real world issues, as described by Zach.

Likewise, the virtual can also influence the real self. Playing video games or participating in simulations can help the user realize his/her interests. If the individual finds a deep passion for the game, he/she may pursue a career in visual design or computer science to create code for a game. Similarly, playing around in simulations may provide suggestions to the individual if this identity is one that they would like to assume or incorporate into their real self. It is a method to experiment and find one's true self. For instance, a man identified as a transsexual after playing as a woman in a simulated game, realizing his true character through the use of a virtual space. A mother is able to assume the role of a child and disregard her responsibilities to be taken care of in the game. The virtual reality is able to produce a version of self that can be reflected in the real self that may lead to changes in the real self in which the individual is able to adopt.

The social factors that shape and influence identity are perpetually shifting due to real world happenings. Differences are always occurring, according to Guattari, and this in turn changes the way individuals participate in simulations. It is the techne that is attributed to the ever-changing machine, as described comprehensively by Kevin. Both reality and virtuality impact the self as aspects of each flow into both spaces and contribute to the user’s character, whether real or virtual. Therefore, the self can never be defined as one stagnant identity as it will continuously be impacted by both the real and virtual spaces.

What Is Self?

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