Response to Guide Questions for David Bell’s Introduction to Section nine of Cybercultures Reader pgs. 697-711

 

1.   With Bell, we arrive at questions regarding the viability of cyberspace as a transnational experience.  What do you believe are the most important or most engaging questions that he raises or that he suggests some of the contributors to this section raise?

 

Bell suggests that the contributors of this section explore the questions whether cyberspace will disrupt hierarchies that transnationally exist, what the future holds for cultural nationalism, and finally if cultural existence can be forgotten in the age of cyberspace?  Another important question that a contributor arises is the opportunity to identify your race going to effect your place in the game because of racial stereotypes?

 

2. Assess and interpret Bell’s opening quote of Ziauddin Sardar.  What kind of critique of American culture (particularly American cyberculture) is suggested by this quote?

 

The quote in which Bell uses in the opening of his article is critiquing the obsession with cyberspace that is prominent in our world today.  This quote suggests that man has shifted the energy that has gone into developing civilization, democratization, and urbanization, as we know it to the colonization of cyberculture.  Cyberculture that that exists in cyberspace such as the technology of the Internet.  This quote demeans man because of the focus that has been taken away from actual, physical life. 

 

3. Respond to Barwell and Bowles’ notion that the internet is the new frontier.  Do they express optimism or pessimism with regard to this idea?

 

I think that it is possible for the Internet to be a new frontier because it is a place where communities of people are joined but I feel that it does differ in the fact that there is no geographical location.  I think that Barwell and Bowles’ express this idea with a sort of optimism because the restrictions that are implied across borders promote a sort of nationalism when they are obeyed.

 

4. Do you believe that the internet can now or may someday be capable of displacing nationalities?

 

I believe that the Internet is capable of displacing identities because it is left up to the user whether or not they wish to let their nationality to be known.  They are also capable of using a false nationality simple by lying.  In this case, it is possible for every user to keep his or her nationality at least questionable.  Some may argue that there is a manner that people of certain nationalities would interact and therefore, it is possible that their nationality could be identified but maybe not assured.