The Internet is not yet a posthuman environment as some may think or fear. It is not yet a meeting of the minds in a virtual space in the bodies we choose. While virtual communities have great opportunity to expand boundaries they often fall short. The potential is there, but it remains unused for the most part. As long as each person remains in character, participants are taken to be safely within cultural norms as long as they remain an illusion and not the real self.
Online communities give the chance for people to experiment outside of boundaries.
The possibility is there, but until it is accepted that the physical reality of a person out of character is not necessary, online communities will not be able to take full advantage of the potential for escape from social as well as physical boundaries that cyberspace offers. The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.