A concern running through Bogard's work revolves around the concept of intimacy in relation to simulation and surveillance. As we get a hint of the first page of the next chapter dealing with "Sex in telematic societies" I do not feel as if I am off base with this assertion.
I would like to primarily focus on the "privacy/trust simulacrum" and try to link this with developing concerns of online spousal or romantic partner infidelity.
In the privacy/trust simulacrum section, Bogard notes on p. 149, "Likewise, intimacy is not lost, but purified and hyperized (in virtual space it is possible to be 'closer than close,' more than intimate, but still keep a safe 'distance,' just as it is to be 'farther than far,' but still retain an operational closeness. In our societies the screen is what is close and far, intimate and distant, private and public."
Even the Wall Street Journal seems to pick up on "hyperized" intimacy - see this article "Is This Man Cheating On His Wife?" This is an article concerning a man who has a real life wife and a wife on Second Life.
Some highlights from this article that are relevant to the conversation include the husband's assertion that, "it's only a game." A second highlight is the commentary of the real life (RL) wife "You try to talk to someone or bring them a drink, and they'll be having sex with a cartoon."
The couple is "closer than close" but still at "a safe distance." He is married, is intimate with someone online, but it is "only a game."
On p. 150 Bogard offers further useful commentary to understand a situation such as this, "You don't escape, you sacrifice yourself."
I figure this online infidelity concept is a useful way to mobilize the work Bogard does in this piece. Other concerns such as the one Mark raised in his post about class issues, I will just have to leave for class-time exploration.
Just for clarification - it does not seem that the couple highlighted in the WSJ article agreed to a polyamorous relationship.
No comments:
Post a Comment