From: jasonp@bungie.prime.com (Jason Pascucci)
Newsgroups: alt.magick
Subject: Re: MUDs and Reality (Theory, LONG)
Date: 17 Dec 92 06:30:18 GMT
Organization: Prime Computer R&D

Actually, as a long-time ex-addicted MUDder, I will comment
that Tagi has a few points. In fact, I came up with similar 
ones, using, of course, a different terminology and set of judgement 
criterion. 

When 'playing', (I use the term loosely), I was long struck
by the dicotomy of people's action between VR and RL. 
One who would never haul off and 'kill' someone, for instance,
in RL would do so at the drop of a hat in VR. 

Many explained this phenomenon away by saying, 'Oh, I was
only playing my Character'. However, due to the
psychologically-involved nature of such games (more so, but 
not that much, than your standard role-playing games), such
'characters' are more closely related to the 'real'
personality of the users than many would admit.

For example, one of my characters, I will freely admit,
was 'Boccob', fairly well known throughout the multiverse at
the time (starting four+ years ago, stopping about a
year ago). The other one was a character named Johnathan 'Steele', 
a childhood fantasy character I used many times in my short
stories. 

Mr. Steele was a James Bond derivative, and reflected a
part of my personality...struck with acute gynophilia,
and a skilled assasin/weapons expert. Very proper,
slightly English, very intellegent, quick-witted, etc. 
He was generally well liked...moreso among the female
VR players than the Men, who 'saw through the act'. 
(The women generally did too, but they didn't care.)
When acting with Steele's mind, I would be cool, calm
and collected, and aloof, when with mostly other Men.
When with women, I would be a little more gregarious, 
playful, and amusing...scintillating when surrounded
with a roomful of women, and at my prime. 

In fact, I still use this personality at times, in 'RL'. It's
part of me, and while it has it's drawbacks, it's a pleasant part 
to play. It's an unconscious thing, it's not like I say "I'm
going to be Steele now.", I fall into it. This is Me. 
Another 'Me' quite understands I am acting as 'Steele', and
registers that I do so, etc, etc.

Now, for Boccob, whose full title is 'ArchMage God of Magic'. It
was a role I felt comfortable in. He was wisdom incarnate,
kind of like the Mayor in Cities in Flight by Blish. 
Feel free to make any assumptions about my current involvement
in magick...this side of me is quite telling. At this time,
I had only faint glimmers of Magick, and barely a clue. 

To resume: He was not at all interested in the general opinion, and
did 'what was right',. whatever it took...he just didn't care. In fact, 
many people saw him as obnoxious as all hell (asshole, definately), 
and 'spread the word'. In fact, he was only truley actively
obnoxious to a few select people, who probably deserved it
at the time. He would push and push people until they
gave up or crumbled, he didn't care which. 

Boccob went through a whole kind of Crowleyian cycle of
initiation into the Magi Guild on Islandia, through
power struggles to it's rightful Mastery, to it's Expansion
to different 'MUDS', and through it's subsequent destruction 
downfall, and degeneration. By the time I had read the accounts 
of the GD downfall, I had significant experience in exactly the same
thing happening, and truely could understand what he meant
destroying a thing in infinite wisdom. I even think I have
a better understanding of how to make a group work correctly,
in perpetuity...something I believe Crowley tried to do with the
OTO, and succeded with the A:.A:.

Again, Boccob was part of me, although I don't find myself
taking his 'mind' much, there's usually no call to. He's
megalomaniac, egocentric, focused, wise, all powerful, and
an asshole (when needed). 

Now, I must say that even when playing character 'X',
I would frequently drop into other characters. Boccob at
times would sparkle in a room full of women, etc. 

I don't want you to assume that these are all, there
were plenty more, which were a little less close, but still
relevant. Code_Police, who would go around shooting people
who wrote bad programs, Tigarr, a snow-white Tiger with a
bow tie, and a 'Love Hound', with a little KateFem on his paw, 
and hearts for eyes. I even had a female character, Rebeccah, 
who was tall, red haired, green eyes, firm breasts in a clinging
bodice, slightly reminescent of the Heinlienian type of
woman, but was, of course, a lesbian. :)

All of these things are a part of me, but to say that any
one of them is the whole part is wrong. Many people
can't admit that they *are* their characters, to an extent...
it's a foreign idea, but one which is fairly prevelant
in psychological study. 

Anyways, that's enough for now. Tagi, I realize what you
are trying to say, and looking beyond the surface we
quite agree, but I find this level of abstraction a little
nicer to work with than yours...I just didn't want you
to mistake my examples as being pitted against yours. 

--
Jason R. Pascucci
jasonp@primerd.prime.com
Newsgroups: alt.magick