Eternally, etherally yours.....
....even if just a virtual vestige.
Has a presence in cyberspace really become so fundamental to one's sense of self that we can't bear to let go of the opportunity to 'interact' there even after we've shuffled off the mortal and (www) coil? I'm in two minds about this one. I'm not sure if I want to be hanging around on a server for all time. (Bit morbid for a Tues morning....I know) :
On a related topic, I thought you might like to know who's the Patron Saint of the Internet....Meet Saint Isidore of Seville. (see above). Why is he patron saint? You'll have to find out. :)
5 comments:
That's a little creepy. But i suppose people these days put so much of themselves into cyberspace (and can get quite a following) it does leave you too wonder... what happens when you go?
Maybe on such MMORPGs or other programmes such as second life for example, the AI would have advanced more to the point where you could actually programme you own avatar's behaviour. The avatar would adopt this programming upon your passing, leaving something there for people who knew you to visit. Perhaps you want to set up some automated responses to conversation, or set them to perform different tasks on different days. Time will tell...
I find the idea of leaving a semi-sentient "I, Avatar" type scenario behind me rather disturbing somehow, Bandit. I mean...surely this would radically alter the psychology of bereavement and mourning? Would those bereaved, those who have lost a family member or real-life friend, really ever really be able (or be allowed to)'let go'?
The same applies, for me, with the notion of leaving emails to be delivered after one's death. I guess it's, naturally, going to be a very personal thing.
As for the first commentator's observation of the way that 'chat slebs' are mourned immensely after their death (or supposed death....but that's another issue ;) ), I agree. I've seen incredibly intense reactions to the disappearance or death of a well-loved forum contributor or cyber-friend. Quite often an inordinate amount of grief really given that those who mourn usually don't know the person offline....(or is it?) and yes, visiting their profile or page or blog after their demise definitely evokes pathos and loss. Interestingly though, just like much of everything else online, the grieving process seems to be accelerated.
Refering to the loss and bereavement people feel when an online friend vanishes for good .... Is alot of the 'grief' felt not so much for the person no longer present but for the actual experience that one had with that person? The chats/interaction and whole dynamics created between these two has now disappeared. How one felt when interacting with that person can no longer occur. And the relationships formed can be quite intense and profound experiences. Although, as neuromantic says, the whole process is sped up so therefore new, exciting realtionships are formed in no time at all and one then seems able to move on.......
Cinnamon's comment: "Is alot of the 'grief' felt not so much for the person no longer present but for the actual experience that one had with that person?"....really struck a chord with me in terms of relationships that emerge from purely text-based CMC. When you have nothing other than a person's words on their life, thoughts, opinions and dreams,etc, on which to base an opinion and form a relationship, the product is (at least seems to be) the 'crystallized essence' of friendship, romance etc. The quality of it appears denser, intenser and purer. Of course, this is most often an illusion / delusion and partially shaped by personal needs and wants but the sheer nature of the process which led to the relationship (anonymous, at least initially, invisible and formed without the distractions of the physical)...a direct interface of 'minds and hearts' makes you feel that you've connected with a 'soulmate'. Hence, any loss due to death or 'death' is, necessarily for many, devastating. But, as we've said, only for a relatively short time....which says to me that somewhere, either consciously or bubbling at the level of the preconscious mind possibly, there is real insight on the ephemeral (and possibly superficial / surreal) nature of the connection.
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