QotW5: Excuse me, is that ME?!

Identity plays a key role in virtual communities. In communication, which is the primary activity, knowing the identity of those with whom you communicate is essential for understanding and evaluating an interaction. Yet in the disembodied world of the virtual community, identity is also ambiguous. (Donath, 1996)

Ambiguity is the key in online identities.

The Internet is the only place where you can 'roam' free and explore your inner identity. In a way, we are able to paint our own potrait of ourselves to others. Mostly strangers we 'meet' via the virtual world. True, in life, we assume our roles as who we are. Be it a student, a teacher or an actor. It is a totally different ballgame online.

Essentially, we are made of so many things. A definitive answer to who we are is almost impractical.

There are two ways how users identify themselves online. Some people prefer to use their real names online, whereas most Internet users prefer to identify themselves by means of pseudonyms. (“Online Identity,” 2007)

Personally, I do not like to use my own name online. I go by various aliases. Each created for a specific reason. For instance, my first alias was detroit. The reason behind the name was the movie, Detroit Rock City. Then, I set up an e-mail account on Yahoo with the username, mypaintedsmile. The phrase coming from a song by the band, Mono. There is a pattern on how I come up with my multitude of 'identities'. Most of them are based on my varied interest. It is painstakingly hard to remember all of the different usernames that I came up with. Somehow, I managed perfectly. I guess it is in my nature to not reveal too much of myself. Especially online, where you do not really know the true nature of the individuals you are communcating with.

Currently, I have been using 'wideeyedmuse' as my online identity. I derived this nickname purely based on my interest in Greek mythology. The idea of muses fascinates me. As for the reference to wide-eyedness, that was added to give it a touch of character.

To illustrate, I am known as wideeyedmuse in Il Divo's Online Forum.

In this forum, fans of the operatic group, Il Divo, knows me by my nickname, 'wideeyedmuse'. Initially, I was identified as, “Hey, wideeyedmuse..” in comments posted by fellow forum members. It was weird being addressed by my nick. As we get to know each other, everyone came to know my real name. Perhaps, due to the sense of familiarity. From commenting on each others post regarding updates on our favourite band, we became real life friends. Meeting at their concert or having drinks together, talking about our idols.


In terms of building reputation, I was one of the very first few Singaporean member of the thread. There were several of us present in the forum. Regularly updating each other on concerts or television tapings. Judging by the number of posts each of us has, others can roughly gather how active we are in the forum. Right now, members of the forum that originates from other parts of the world, recognises me as one of the pioneering Singaporean fan. The label itself attaches a sense of importance. Why? Others actually approach you when they need information regarding any happenings in Singapore. For example, if the band is featured in a local magazine. As members of the thread, we will share the information by scanning the article or produce a short write-up to keep each other updated.

I cannot imagine someone stealing my online identity. I picture a popular blogger like Xiaxue getting her online identiy stolen due to her popularity. In a sense, those who does indulge in robbing someone's online identity, ultimately craves some kind of attention. What about someone like me? I do not think so. I possess an online identity because I need a username to create e-mail accounts and blogs for my personal use. As they say, never say never. In the event of someone stealing my identity, they could possibly go around posting comments using my nickname. Maybe at the same time, signing off as me. The trick is pretension. For example, the person can go around proclaiming that he or she is me. Claiming credit for the photos that I took during Il Divo's concert last January. If that happens, I would feel violated.

The thing about online identity is, you only know what the person tells you. Most of the time, this occurs through instant messages, online communication and also by viewing someone's profile.

Lackaff (2003) mentioned that identity is often more difficult to establish and maintain. I agree.

In in the online world, you are the perception of others.

References

Donnath, J (1996). Identity and Deception in the Virtual Communication. Retrieved February 22, 2007, from MIT Media Lab Web site: http://smg.media.mit.edu/people/Judith/Identity/IdentityDeception.html

Lackaff, D. (2003). Norm maintenance in online communities: A review of moderation regimes Unpublished master's (preliminary) thesis, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia. Retrieved 21, February 2007 from http://lackaff.net/node/20

Online Identity. (2007, February 15). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 20, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_identity