Thursday, April 8, 2010

S.03 "The Internet is Free Porn"

The computer screen even in its reflective nature serves as a great means of hiding actual characteristics. What made me think of this concept was the viewing of Machima.com in class. The video clearly illustrates that most males secretly use the Internet to access free porn. However they also physically depict the male treky and female treky differently furthering the depiction of male versus female online. The male trekys are muscular and have deep voices. On the other hand the female character has breasts and a high singing voice that is constantly being interrupted. Besides the basics of physical interaction and depiction there is an even deeper difference between male and female online depictions that exists in this video. It specifically deals with how different people specifically different genders utilize this feature of the Internet. Where a male figure can masturbate in the privacy of his own room, a female figure reacts differently this means of hiding. The video more directly deals with how males use the Internet to hide them partaking in common manly acts. On the other, and more subtly the video eludes to the idea that female and possibly males use the protective nature of the computer screen/ Internet to hide physical insecurities and differences. On the Internet and particularly in games such at World of War craft and Second Life your character doesn’t directly show images of you therefore people can hide insecurities about their appearance, actions, and emotions online. The video demonstrates this when the female treky provides examples of the male trekys partaking in seemingly girly actions such as sending flowers to a girlfriend through an online service.

What puzzles me still is how a medium such as the Internet can serve as a paradox? It sometimes allows people to be themselves because they are more comfortable behind the mask the Internet provides. However their does exists this countering exploitation of stereotypes.

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