SEX!....Now that i’ve got your attention, lets go online...

So um, well...Sex...ergh...hmmm.
So I’m not sure if you’re aware of this but its human nature to want to, and to have sex. It’s instinctive, built into our genetic code. IN fact its why where here today and pretty much one of our main roles while were here on this planet. Ok so now that’s out of the way... what’s with all the social stigma around it? It’s probably the most natural thing you can do... seriously
Now with the advent of all this new technology within the last few decades especially, a few doors have opened in the whole sexual world, pornography, phone sex and now cybersex among a myriad of others. All designed to fulfil our carnal based needs with the aid of some kind of technology. This isn’t new it’s just the magazines under the bed have been traded for a folder on the C: drive or a webcam. I’m sure cavemen would have used rock paintings, the concept isn’t new, the method is.
Cybersex, it has a few perks. Not my cup of tea but I can understand the appeal. Its anonymous, requires only an internet connection so it can be done in the comfort of home. And in a sense it’s probably the safest sex you can have given getting an STD is impossible though a modem. The internet has become such an integral part of our lives of course it would stem into the sexual realm. It’s a growing trend from simple dating sites to full blown fetish sites.It is mainly men who engage in cybersex activities but research indicated that increasing numbers of women are engaging in cyber sex too. Whilst men tend to prefer pornography women have a greater tendancy to visit chat rooms.
So what are the down sides of this cybersex phenomenon? Well psychologists say that it makes it very easy for addiction to occur, some even going as far to say that its worse than crack.the effects of sex on the brain are similar to some drugs with huge releases of endorphins and serotonin, having instant access just a click away can have serious consequesnces leading to addiction, misogyny, paedophilia, boob jobs and erectile dysfunction
This is what was said in one article:
"The internet is a perfect drug delivery system because you are anonymous, aroused and have role models for these behaviors," Layden said. "To have drug pumped into your house 24/7, free, and children know how to use it better than grown-ups know how to use it -- it's a perfect delivery system if we want to have a whole generation of young addicts who will never have the drug out of their mind."
This over exposure and addiction can have some serious consequences on society its can desensitise us, it can negatively alter our perceptions of sex and sexuality. Leading us to foucus on instant gratification rather than something more substantial. And i think thats a really dangerous thing.i understand that people have needs and the internet can provide and easy and simple way to meet them. Technology can help us in many ways, the internet can help people create meaning ful relationships and meet our needs. But there is once again a very fine line between what is healthy and what is addiction. So please people think before your next click.


http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2004/11/65772#ixzz0qj72WtX4

A second life... Escapism or reality?

If you could live in an imaginary world, and be your own perfect representation of your self...would you? And would you still be you?
Lets have a look at the concept of Hyper-reality. Hyper-reality doesn’t neccesarily "exist" or "not exist." It’s just a way of describing the information to which the consciousness is subjected. Most aspects of hyper-reality can be thought of as "reality by proxy." Jean Baudrillard in particular suggests that the world we live in has been replaced by a copy world, were we seek simulated stimuli and nothing more.
We now have the technology to create simulated worlds, which anyone with an internet connection can be a part of. Second life is the biggest of these online simulated worlds and its following is massive. And really why wouldn’t it be? You can create an avatar for yourself, an ideal you, fully customisable. The world has all the benefits of the real world and then some like the ability to fly. And of course like any real world capitalism is rampant, with advertising, a second life economy (with money that is bought with real life money) you can even buy designer second life clothes. This hyper real world lets you do anything. You can even get married in second life, which may subsequently lead you to getting divorced in the your first one.
So is second life a prototype for a matrix-esque world? Where we are merely cyborgs who are jacked in. Is it escapism or is it just as real and what we call the real world? On the one hand its is a shared experience with others which makes it real, its just early days yet but there’s really no limit to how ‘Real’ these Hyper realities can get. Having dual or even multiple live may become the norm in future years who knows?
Second life can be used for anything.you can have your second life job, you could buy and sell second life real estate. Real life artists have had exhibitions simultaneously in second life and in the real world in the same physical and virtual location. People can meet other people, fall in love. And even have sexual relationships...well cyber-sexual relationships is probably more accurate. Just like the real world there is a seedy underbelly to second life. This brings up some moral dilemmas. Like what’s stopping paedophiles from creating children avatars? And even engaging in fetish acts or even attempting to abduct children in the real world using second life as a hunting ground. Its much harder to police this in a hyper-real world.
Im not sure that living a second life is just as simple as it being mere escapism. I mean people in the real world engage in escapisim through substances, television even their jobs. You could argue that yes you can escape through second life but instead of just turning off from the real world second life users a just entering a different one, in which they can be just as productive or unproductive as they wish. Its a fine line.

To The eExtreme

Extremism, what is it?

So yes there are people out there in the world who actually believe they are superior to other races, that their religion has the upper on someone elses and that there is only one acceptable sexual preference. And of course there people like to congregate with other similar minded people so they can attempt to rationalise their beliefs with one another.These groups operate outside the social norm and in many cases on an extreme level sometimes using violence degredation and even terrorism.They are known as extremist groups.

The concept of the extremist group is not new.Their roots lie within ignorance, xenophobia and fundamentalism all of which have been around for thousands of years. Essentially it relates to political and social ideologies which are seen as 'irrational, counterproductive and unjustifiable or otherwise unacceptable to a civil society. Regardless of my view on their beliefs I do think they have a right to belive it, I do however think it is very unfortunate that these people entertain such a narrow and hate filled world view. And that they use fear and misinformation to convert new members. Which brings me to my next point.

The Internet, one of the most powerful tools in human history. It is a giant network, with millions of users, virtually no policing and its easy to use. But that just it, it is merely a tool, it is indifferent. It depends on its user whether it does bad or good. and thus in recent years we have seen the advent of eExtremism or electronic extremism. Basically the internet is an ideal platform for extremist groups to push their agenda, recruit new members and also slander the minorities they are against not to mention sell merchandise to raise funds. White supremacist groups are notorious for their online following .Notably Aryan nation and the KKK, two groups whose physical presence is far less common than in previous years have retreated to the online world to spread their message, with I might add great success.

Australia being a very multicultural society still has its pockets of racial intolerance. One notatable group is actually a political party “The Australia First” party. With their tagline: identity independence freedom. Its interesting to me that a lot of these extremist groups have to hide behind freedom when voicing their opinion. Anyway this is a party wishing to abolish multiculturalism and who was also behind the Cronulla riots. At face value they are a legitimate government party but upon closer look it becomes quite apparent there are some strong racial undertones in their agenda. The internet once again plays quite a large role in their recruitment and propaganda. They even have a youthgroup you can join to help their cause.

Unfortunaley there will always be groups like this. Ignorance breeds ignorance and the internet is the perfect tool to spread the message.but what harm can this do to society? We know these groups can be dangerous and we know they prey on recruiting the weak and disenfranchised using fear and hatred. So while the physical existence of these groups is not as apparent to the eye is their online voice stronger than ever?