The article “A Virtual Death And a Real Dilemma: Identity, Trust, and Community in Cyberspace” discusses online blogging and how one person’s actions can influence a community. As I read the article I did not think that bloggers could form a sense of community online. Their means of communication connects them to one another through what they share on the blogosphere. The deception of Debbie Swenson made many people think about how much they trusted what they read on the Internet. For years I have heard from librarians to always have “dependable and reliable” sources because the Internet can lie.
The article touches base with how identity is shaped in a virtual community and it causes a true dilemma. It was interesting reading the reactions of those who found out that Kaycee Swanson didn’t exist and that her story was a hoax. The reality of her story made the community fall apart because it did not know how to communicate their feelings and the confusion they faced. If I were in the same situation where I felt my trust was betrayed I do not know how I would react.
The article touches base with how identity is shaped in a virtual community and it causes a true dilemma. It was interesting reading the reactions of those who found out that Kaycee Swanson didn’t exist and that her story was a hoax. The reality of her story made the community fall apart because it did not know how to communicate their feelings and the confusion they faced. If I were in the same situation where I felt my trust was betrayed I do not know how I would react.
I can relate to what you said that for years I have also been told to take everything you read online with a grain of salt. I think however in the Kaycee Nicole Swenson case it is a little different because why would you question someone who is claiming to be sick. The article never mentioned anything about her asking for money or anything like that to scam people. It just seemed like an outlet for her to share her story and for people to support her. That is what is most bizarre about this case and would be interesting to know what Debbie Swenson’s motivation was behind this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you. With anything coming off of the internet you definitely need to realize that you are taking a 50/50 chance on whatever information you have is true or not. This article completely bugged me. How can other people just scam innocent people like they do? I know that if I were betrayed to this degree I would be pissed and ready to let Debbie Swenson have a piece of my mind. I would want to know how the people that followed her felt, and I would want to know what Debbie was thinking on creating a fake story blog. I think the funniest part is that Debbie said she didn't want to hurt anyone with her article but cmon! She had to of known she was going to hurt someone with all the lies.
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