Here's an interesting little tidbit from an M.A. thesis on
communications formation at MOOs (multi-object environments):
-- from CULTURAL FORMATIONS IN TEXT-BASED VIRTUAL REALITIES --
By ELIZABETH REID
emr@xxxxxxxxxxx
emr@xxxxxxxxxxx
emr@xxxxxxx
As Foucault says, "every point in the exercise of power is at the
same time a site where knowledge is formed. And conversely every
established piece of knowledge permits and assures the exercise of
power. Put otherwise, there is no opposition between what is done and
what is said." On MUDs, and especially social MUDs, where every
player can create new game elements, what is said and what is done are
one and the same thing. Speaking and writing--transmitting knowledge-
-encompass all virtual actions. In the beginning of all MUD systems
there is only the Word, and the progression of the system from its
initial existence as a computer program into a virtual environment
habituated by players is the progression of a series of linguistic
acts. It is the production of knowledge about the virtual environment
which produces the environment itself. This production of knowledge
and virtuality powers the socially cohesive body found on social MUDs.
* Well, how 'bout that? What do you think of the power formations
that are being described? Adventure MOOs are aggressive. Social/
Edu MOOs are as described above. Interesting, is it not? -Glo
communications formation at MOOs (multi-object environments):
-- from CULTURAL FORMATIONS IN TEXT-BASED VIRTUAL REALITIES --
By ELIZABETH REID
emr@xxxxxxxxxxx
emr@xxxxxxxxxxx
emr@xxxxxxx
As Foucault says, "every point in the exercise of power is at the
same time a site where knowledge is formed. And conversely every
established piece of knowledge permits and assures the exercise of
power. Put otherwise, there is no opposition between what is done and
what is said." On MUDs, and especially social MUDs, where every
player can create new game elements, what is said and what is done are
one and the same thing. Speaking and writing--transmitting knowledge-
-encompass all virtual actions. In the beginning of all MUD systems
there is only the Word, and the progression of the system from its
initial existence as a computer program into a virtual environment
habituated by players is the progression of a series of linguistic
acts. It is the production of knowledge about the virtual environment
which produces the environment itself. This production of knowledge
and virtuality powers the socially cohesive body found on social MUDs.
* Well, how 'bout that? What do you think of the power formations
that are being described? Adventure MOOs are aggressive. Social/
Edu MOOs are as described above. Interesting, is it not? -Glo