John Barlow encoded a very well, witty work of "A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace". This 5th entry will be my afterthoughts on this utmost confident work on Cyberspace. Got your cyberglasses ready? Here we go!
To be frank, it was a real pleasure reading this article. It wasn't a big POW to the face w/ jargon terms flying around zapping us. It was more of a dialogue. A dialogue play of Actor A - Cyberspace and Actor B - Meatspace.
Meatspace. What in the network is that! This unique sounding term actually refers to the real, physical world we live in. In other words, it is the non-virtual world. Tongue-in-cheek term isn't it? I kinda like it heh!
I thought meatspace was very clever. Ever if we are "human", we are still animals composed of meat and bones. I like that meat sounds like meet so meatspace would be where meat could actually meet each other. Personally, I do not believe I was fearfully made and I'm sure I will be respected for my beliefs. -- Steve
Meatspace is a great term. I've always said that cannibalism is funny. -- Cliff Smith
So basically, in a nutshell, once upon a time, Cyberspace stood up & confronted Meatspace in the face!
The story of Cyberspace & Meatspace
Cyberspace: Ho-hum! Your bones & meat world bore me to my nodes! You're bounded by ludicrous rules. Such boundaries, BAH! There's no equality, what a shame! What's the point of living!
Meatspace: B-b-but...
Cyberspace: No buts! You manipulate powers in all the wrong ways, you know nothing of power! Nothing! Everything is governed by you & you only! Where's the people's say in issues?! You're unfit to be on the top!
Meatspace: W-w-wait...
Cyberspace: What is there to wait? While you wait, my world here is becoming way advanced than you are. Look at us, cultures are developing, indifferent ethics are assembling, codes are being placed in orders, all in the name of Internet! Wait? Why wait? Waiting is only for fools!
Meatspace: I didn't meant it like that...
Cyberspace: Save it. Just look, look at the condition in my world! The transactions, the connections between people, the thoughts being generated! Look & learn!
Meatspace: W-w-what are you s-s-saying...
Cyberspace: What do you mean what am I saying! You don't understand English? We. All. Have. Our. Own. Identities. Virtually. We are gonna dominate the universe!
Meatspace: N-n-no you're not!
Cyberspace: WE ARE GONNA DOMINATE THE UNIVERSE! *Virtual roar*
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Pardon for the rather weak & lame script. *Awkward laugh* This isn't Scriptwriting class after all, we'll save more story telling for another day shall we? From the (terrible) script, we can see the points clearly on the (proud) differences of Cyberspace & Meatspace.
Look around, we're bounded by rules aren't we? You miss a day, you get a parking ticket. You say something wrong, you get locked up. You speed b/c you desperately need the loo, you get a hefty fine. You think, "Life sucks!" It does sucks a little being encumbered by invisible yet powerful master puppeteers. Do we even get any chance to voice out or the very least, squeak?
In contrast to Meatspace, Cyberspace isn't bounded w/ big boys who controls people like Sesame Street. In Cyberspace, everyone is equal. We go on about our virtual lives happily, the way we want it to, w/o being restricted. Everything goes on smoothly, there isn't any hassle. You are happy, I'm happy, everyone is happy!
Cyber-rules at its best!
Of course, a set of rules & procedures are needed to exercise a fully utilize virtual world. We're talking about they way things are run in the Cyberworld. We have our own slang, jargon, acronyms! "Whatchu doing? I'm learning abt the Cyberworld & it rocks 4eva!"
Though, one (ahem, me actually) may not communicate in such way in reality but at least they understand the Cyberspace communication. We understand the secret code, yo! One more advanced feature of the Cyberworld is...
Wait for it.
Seriously, wait for it.
It's coming!
TADAAAAAAAAAA!
Our friendly, jiffy BBF in the Cyberworld, Google! With Google, we don't have to laboriously go through all the hassle to find just a small petty information like, "How much is a Cadbury chocolate bar in UK?" Asking questions & getting answers have never been this easier!
Why, hello there, Internet? What's your culture?
Heads up Kpop Culture, Internet culture is here to aid you in your dominance across the world! The Internet culture provides a hyperreality platform anywhere we go. With just a swipe on our iPad screen, we're connected to the Cyberworld!
W/ everyone having such potential opportunities connecting easily to the Web, information can be shared & received on the go! Bollywood cultures & Jpop culture can further spread their wings to different part of the world! Say, Hallyu!
*Cues Wonder Girls' Nobody*
Love At The First Sight
Whoa, slow down Romeo! We all also know how Ewan McGregor feels towards his wife.
"I got married because I fell in love with this woman." - Ewan McGregor
Human beings can establish a deep connection in a physical and material element. That being said, so can Cyberspace. Cyberspace can create a powerful though invisible connection not only to one person, but to a jungle of virtual members!
Reaching people from faraway countries are no longer a problem. Deeper connections are formed at the speed of light! New connections are built even quicker than you can say your full name!
In Cyberspace, we see connection not in the sense of Chuck as an individual in a relationship to the individual Blair. Here, we see relationships collectively. It's more important to know the connections of everyone as a whole to another group of people, and not just a one to one basis.
Avatar, The New Human
We're looking at metamorphosis here. The step by step changes & modifications. All these can be done easily & frequently. Admit it, how many times have you changed your profile picture in your FB? I admit, I do quite frequently, whenever I find one that pleases me.
Changing our data to create the ideal identity we want. Want to be treated differently? Switch your gender profile. Want to be funky & cool? Change your profile name. Want to be perceived as a joker? Edit your 'About Me'.
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So, is Cyberspace cooler or you rather stick back to Meatspace?
It's true that Cyberspace:
- Does offer an absence of high string authorities that we can speak & act freely
- Makes it so much easier to carry out inquiries with the rules & codes
- Has a cool & hip culture that we all want to be apart off
- Offers deep connections to endless people on the face of Earth
- Gives us a chance to be out of our zone, to be different
Seems like Cyberspace is overpowering Meatspace isn't it? But! There are some issues to be concerned about, as usual.
- For one, we are not governed by anyone that's true, but isn't that alarming? Won't people start going bonkers?
- Second, to the point of different codes & of Google, will Google will be making the human race lose its abilities to think?
- Third, will the Internet culture deteriorate us in reality?
- Fourth, connections are made available to everyone, but who are we really talking to?
- Lastly, how can we trust others in the virtual world when all the facts about ones can be changed through editing?
We know the benefits of Cyberspace, but what's the negative side about it?
Share a feedback to the issue, guys! :)
