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A
new phenomenon appears to have sprung up from the depths that
is known as cyberspace. A step up from chat rooms, there are now
virtual online communities. It is a new social arena, and a way
to meet new people; an evolution of, and a world away from, the
dating agencies of old. Less intense than singles bars, more fun
than taking up a new hobby, and as easy as a night in front of
the TV. Some people say that with all the new technology available
to us, staying in is the new going out. But it seems that with
the same new technology, you can do both. So, finding a peculiar,
and seemingly popular, niche in the market and in people's imaginations
are cyber-communities.
One
popular site is Cycosmos. It aims itself at the young and trendy,
promoting freedom and creativity. Here is a whole new world. You
can be whoever you want to be, reinvent yourself, then meet some
new people, chat, shop, and send a few e-mails. All from the comfort
of your PC. And this is more than just hiding behind a computer
screen, not being able to see the person you are e-mailing. You
can be completely anonymous, completely mysterious. The only truly
known information you have about your new friends (and they about
you) is gender and location. And, how do you know if even that is
true?
Users
are known by nicknames, and produce ID cards. These give as much
or as little information to your fellow Cycosmos inhabitants as
you wish. There are lists of character traits, activities, interests,
statements, and likes and dislikes. All accompanied by an image
of a person--supposedly the same gender as the person controlling
it, but let's face it, a bald 50-year-old man could just as easily
choose a 20-something, attractive surfer-dude character. It is purely,
as some wise scriptwriter once said, "the digital projection of
your mental self."
A lot
seems to depend on trust, but it is all in the spirit of fun, freedom,
and individuality. It is a lot of fun, and strangely addictive.
There are no rules, and with anonymity comes the breaking of barriers
and inhibitions. You can be completely yourself as much as you can
be someone completely different.
With
no physical aspect it is intriguing how much a person's personality
can come through. You feel safe—the person on the other end
can't see you, doesn't really know you, so you can take risks, say
whatever you want to say, even if you are trying to reinvent yourself.
Who's to say that the person you become is not just as real as the
"real" you, maybe more so? Perhaps it's just another aspect of our
personality, just another mask, or maybe without the usual barriers
yet behind the safety of a computer screen and anonymous user name,
people can discover their real selves?
However,
philosophical waxing aside, it seems that many people do use Cycosmos
purely for the fun aspect, and just to meet new people. With different
'communities' within the main community, you can be sure of being
able to meet people of similar interests, and discuss relevant topics
(including film, literature, music, computers, business), and of
course, flirt!
There
is also the novelty aspect of it; the ease of use and apparent trendiness
are very appealing. It has been said that we all wear masks and
present certain images of ourselves to others, but now there is
a community built purely on that premise, and it thrives. To make
friends, to find romance, to have a laugh, to meet people with similar
interests, and to reinvent yourself. With a shopping section, a
news section, and links to suggested sites, everyone is catered
to. It is also said that in this busy technological age, we no longer
have time for a social life. Many people find the Internet and other
technology an aid to making life easier and quicker. It serves so
many functions now, why not use it to provide a social life as well?
Is this
the future of social meeting places? The new way to make friends
and maybe more? Is virtual more appealing, or more "real" than the
physical? Or is it just a fun trend? I guess we will soon find out,
but whatever the answers, it looks like online communities are the
place to go at the moment.
Copyright
© 2000 Laura Kayne. All Rights Reserved
Laura
Kayne is a marketing assistant for a publishing company in London,
England. She moonlights as a wannabe writer in her spare time.
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