Blurred Lines

Blurred Lines

The development of new technologies such as the Internet bring forth the creation of social media and virtual reality. A new reality for some, an online presence for others. However, this new reality further blurs the line on what reality is. Sharing one’s life through the use of social media like Facebook is the latest trend and adds to the question of ‘what is reality’.

In the past members of the community would meet in coffee houses, an actual physical hub or meeting place to communicate and interact with each other (Kuttainen,2019). This was our reality and still is to an extent. However, technology has changed that. First was the newspaper then social media, through mobile devices, has changed the way we communicate with each other. You will still see people at cafes by themselves or with others, but now you would see these people on their phones using Facebook to communicate with others. They are diving into a modern form of reality.

(Mobile Facebook)

The Mirror stage was created by Lacan (Kuttainen, 2019), which points out that what we see in the mirror is not self but a representation of self. This idea can be used to compare our online self. A photo used as a display picture can be a representation of self, similar to the image seen in a mirror. A Facebook account creates a digital representation of one’s self, an identity to interact in the virtual reality. Through Facebook we can communicate with people and friends where ever we are. The only limitation to space and place for us now is connectivity.

(Facebook vs Reality)

In this weeks reading, The Reality of Virtual Reality: A philosophical Analysis, written by John Danaher (2017), the question is asked, is the apple real? His response is “of course not: it’s virtual”. The apple can be seen but not touched or consumed, it is just a representation of an apple. However, can this be assumed to be the same with the friendships, connections and experiences on Facebook? They certainly feel real, but they can’t be touched or consumed in a physical presence.  This is virtual reality, or now in 2019 this is reality. Communicating via social media sites like Facebook is how we now interact with others.

Connecting via Facebook at an individual level has changed the way we communicate and therefore our reality. Now instead of a face to face meeting we can communicate with the press of a button. But at a larger level, businesses are taking advantage of this new reality that is engulfing the world. According to Stone (2019) Facebook is the third most visited site on the internet and on average people check Facebook 8 times a day. This just shows how often we use the digital extension of ourselves. Advertisement, entertainment and ‘influencers’ take advantage of this platform and a change in reality to sell their image and do business.

With the emergent of a virtual reality becoming more and more popular, lines are becoming even more blurred between virtual reality and reality its self.

Reference List

Danaher, J. (2017). , The Reality of Virtual Reality: A philosophical Analysis. Retrieved from https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET2/more/Danaher20170918

Destefano, M. (2019). Facebook’s New Move Could Signal the Arrival of Augmented Reality Glasses [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.complex.com/life/2019/01/facebook-has-hundreds-of-employees-working-on-augmented-reality-glasses

Kuttainen, V. (2019). BA 1002 Our Space: Networks, Narratives, and the Making of Place, Lecture 7 Reality and Virtuality. [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved https://learn.jcu.edu.au/ultra/courses/_97532_1/outline

OYE TV. (2018, October 27). Facebook vs Reality [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ3vpBaY85Y

Stone, T. (2019). The truth about using facebook to market you business. Journal of Financial Planning, 32(9), 42-43.