[MD] Mediated Objectivism and me

[ARLO J BENSINGER JR]

[Krimel]
In fact this kind of writing has evolved into its own genre, cyberpunk.

[Arlo]
There have been fascinating non-scifi writings on identity mediation over the
years, "avatar" has become a useful metaphor for deconstructing the negotiation
of identities. 

For those who may be unfamiliar, Sherry Turkle wrote an eloquent piece in Wired
years ago called "Who am We?"
(http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.01/turkle.html). Also one of my favorite
pieces to get people thinking about aspects of identity negotiation is Julian
Dibbell's "A Rape in Cyberspace"
(http://www.juliandibbell.com/texts/bungle.html). 

The "avatar" metaphor has replaced the "actor" metaphor, in the same way
networked computers have replaced the standard processor as the metaphor for
human cognition. 

But I think the last time we were through this we ended up making Marsha a bit
paranoid, so tread lightly. ;-)