Virtuality

Virtuality or the simulation of reality is often refered to as virtual reality. Virtual reality is best defined into two different experiences according to New Media: A Critical Introduction. One experience is the 'immersion in an environment constructed with computer graphics and digital video with which the 'user' has some degree of interaction(Lister 35)." This example brings to mind a human strapping on eyewear and a suit that will direct the interaction. This is a complete immersion, with all the physical senses reacting to what is in this "cyberspace." Another form of virtual reality is "the space where participants in online communication feel themselves to be." Such examples of these are MUDS. MUDS, according to Sherry Turkle, "are destinations on the Internet where players who have logged in from computers around the world join an on-line virtual community. Through typed commands, they can converse privately or in large groups, creating and playing characters and even earning and spending imaginary funds in the MUD's virtual economy(Turkle)."

Works cited

Lister, Martin, Jon Dovey, Seth Giddings, and Iain Grant. New Media: A Critical Introduction. London: Routledge, 2003.

Turkle, Sherry. "Virtuality and Its Discontents," The American Prospect vol. 7 no. 24, December 1, 1996.http://www.prospect.org/print/V7/24/turkle-s.html