A single sentence in the preface of Wood & Smith’s book (2004) reverberated in my mind and prompted this paper’s inception: “When someone says, ‘I am going online’, where are they going?“
That marked the commencement of my journey, far removed from the familiar theories of economics, law, and business management that I’d encountered as a student. I embarked on a quest to “trace” those venturing online, scouring books and journals to uncover the identities of those “going online,” the reasons and methods behind their digital pursuits, their activities in the online realm, the repercussions upon their return, and the gains and losses they incurred. Along the way, I stumbled upon myriad studies exploring the Internet’s effects on societies, organizations, and individuals.
At a certain juncture, I stood before the gateway to a virtual universe known as Second Life. Here, the notion struck me that “even post-industrial society theories might be rendered obsolete due to the ascent of virtual societies.” With this realization, I pivoted my focus to virtual worlds, state-of-the-art technologies, and their potential societal impacts. These realms transcend mere games, serving as conduits for social networking, catalysts for emerging economies that influence our tangible lives, and novel research arenas for societal studies. Thus, this technology harbors the power to revolutionize our societies, akin to the transformative impact of machines, telecommunications, and computers. Everything turns “virtual,” with our corporeal selves left behind as we engage through computer screens. A seamless transition to the virtual realm occurs. However, beneath the initial veneer of fantasy, virtual world experiences ultimately mirror the dominant production styles and relationships prevalent in the tangible world.
Type of the Work: Essay
Language : English
Copyright : Barış EKDİ
Citation :EKDİ, Barış (2008) “The Games Playing with Us”, Unpublished Article, METU Science and Technology Policies Program, Ankara.
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