Information Society Watch

2001, Joshua Berman and Amy S. Bruckman, Convergence

This paper presents an in-depth discussion of a single evening in the online game environment, The Turing Game, which helps internet users to explore and negotiate issues of identity. The authors studied online participant interactions with the aim of showing how internet users learn about identity in this environment. The paper seeks to discover how issues of personal identity affect how we relate to others in everyday life, both online and offline. Identity is increasingly a subject of fascination and concern for members of the general public, and the findings discuss the concerns of identity raised by gamers on issues they find surprising. The authors also explore if it is possible to support a kind of philosophical play that promotes reflection by participants (Adapted from authors).

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