Virtual Body - Frequently Discussed Modes

Frequently Discussed Modes

There are two particular ways that the virtual body is frequently discussed; the disembodied essence of a persons mind in cyberspace and the consequent representation of a person's identity as a virtual body in cyberspace.

The 'disembodiment' discourse focuses around allowing the mind to wander without the physical inhibitions of the body. This discourse is regarded as an expansion of classic theories such as astral projection or 'out-of-body experiences'. Subsequently, the virtual body is regarded as psychologically created essence that is virtually floating between information. This information in turn, according to theories, affects the mind and the virtual body but has no interaction with the physical body which has deployed a "technological gaze".

An early issue frequently discussed about virtual bodies is that although the opportunity was presented to create and be any sort of virtual body imaginable, there was a tendency to reproduce old identities referring to gender and racial stereotypes. Therefore, the disembodiment of before transforms into 'a new body' with a new identity that is either entirely new or a representation of the real. When new identities are explored, it has been noticed that the virtual body effortlessly (and sometimes subconsciously) crosses traditional borders, not only concerning identities but also of human and machine, particularly in the sense of having a clear notion of what is real and what is only available through collaboration with the computer. This 'border crossing' implies that the virtual body in itself is a fluid state of being that conceals itself within social conventions.