Sex Lives in Second Life

Brookey, Robert Alan; Cannon, Kristopher L.

doi:10.1080/15295030902860260

Cited by 55 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…While much of the existing academic literature discusses the exercise and effects of power in passing, authors tend not to address the matter directly. Even where power is central to the academic enterprise -in work on gendered representations, inequality and exploitation, for instance -it is rarely named as such, or theorized explicitly (see, for example, Albury, 2009;Brookey and Cannon, 2009). Ross, who explores 'doing and being' in relation to internet sexuality, provides one exception.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sexuality, power and the sociology of the internet

Brickell

2012

Current Sociology

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The internet is an increasingly important enabler and mediator of sexual relations in society. It has begun to transform older modes of knowing, experiencing and organizing sexuality. In light of an emerging social science literature, this article considers internetmediated sexuality and its consequences for theorizing power. It looks at three ideal typical strands of power in relation to sexuality: the constitutive, the regulatory and the unequal. It considers empirically based discussions alongside broader theoretical concerns: Foucauldian work on discourse and subjectivity, an Althusserian account of interpellation, the symbolic interactionist focus on the presentation of self and feminist analyses of inequality. On the internet, the article suggests, the overlaps between different forms of sexual power are often complex and multi-directional.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Identities and gendered dynamics in digital space, cyberbullying, home-made pornography and sex lives on Second Life are all examples (Boellstorff, 2008, Ch. 6;Brookey and Cannon, 2009;Hardey, 2002;Patchin and Hinduja, 2006;Ray, 2007: Ch. 4;Van Zoonen, 2002;Zhao, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexuality, power and the sociology of the internet

Brickell

2012

Current Sociology

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“…De acuerdo a la experiencia derivada del presente estudio y otros similares, con más de cuatro años de convivencia en SL, se ha identificado que cada vez son más los adultos, mayores de 30 años, quienes ingresan en busca de relaciones amistosas y algo más (Brookey & Cannon, 2009); de éstos, aproximadamente el 80% de suscriptores orienta su atención a la búsqueda de relaciones amistosas y sexuales. En el contexto que ocupa a esta investigación, un ejemplo de lo que puede encontrarse en SL es la exposición física del cuerpo, sin ropa.…”

Section: Cybersexounclassified

Redes sociales virtuales, ¿fortalezas o debilidades? un análisis psicosocial relacionado con el cybersexo y la soledad - Virtual social networks, strengths or weaknesses? A psychosocial analysis in relation to cybersex and loneliness

Sánchez

2016

Hamut'ay

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ResumenCon el propósito de analizar el comportamiento social y la orientación hacia el cybersexo de los usuarios de la red social Second Life, para identificar ventajas o desventajas de las relaciones sociales que se establecen, así como en su estado psicológico, se realizó un estudio de corte etnográfico dentro del mundo virtual Second Life. Se rescataron y analizaron cuatro casos con edad promedio de 40 años (dos de reciente ingreso y dos con una antigüedad mayor a un año), el 100% con experiencia de sexo virtual. Con base en discursos entre el investigador y los sujetos de estudio se analizó si su incursión y permanencia en esta red (promedio 6.5 horas diarias) puede interpretarse como fortaleza o debilidad para su vida. Bajo la advertencia de que la incursión recurrente a cualquier red social puede interpretarse como un problema de conducta, este artículo rescata los beneficios que representó para estas personas el haber ingresado a la vida activa de la red cuando se sienten solas. El análisis incluyó el cybersexo como una de las búsquedas realizadas con frecuencia. Palabras Clave: Redes sociales, sentimiento de soledad, cybersexo, second life. AbstractWith the purpose of analyzing the social behavior and orientation towards cybersex in the users of the social network Second Life, and with the aim of identifying the advantages or disadvantages of the social relationships that they establish, as well as in their psychological state, an ethnographic study within the virtual world Second Life was executed. Four cases with an average age of 40 years (two recently admitted and two active for more than a year) were recovered and analyzed; 100% had virtual sex experience. Based on talks between the researcher and the study subjects, it was analyzed whether their access and permanence in this network (average 6.5 hours daily) can be interpreted as a strength or weakness for their life. Taking into account that the constant engagement into any social network can be interpreted as a behavioral problem, this article highlights the benefits for these people when accessing to the active life of the network whenever they feel lonely. The analysis included cybersex as a frequent search on the Web.

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“…Many people experience a sense of identification with and attachment to their virtual self (Turkle 1995;Blinka 2008), even to the point where negative things that happen to the avatar are experienced as harm (Wolfendale 2007). Virtual worlds also become places where participants are able to explore activities and preferences that are more difficult or challenging in their offline lives (Bugeja 2007;Brookey and Cannon 2009;Bardzell and Barzell 2006). Second Life therefore makes possible options that are difficult or challenging if not impossible in participants' offline lives.…”

Section: The Threats Of Virtual World Surveillancementioning

confidence: 99%

Second Life Surveillance: Power to the People or Virtual Surveillance Society?

Martin

2012

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In the virtual world of Second Life, almost all content is user-generated and users retain a significant amount of autonomy. Given this freedom, participants are able to create, acquire, and use their own forms of surveillance. With accessible, affordable, and easy to use options, ordinary participants regularly deploy surveillance to protect themselves and their interests, businesses, and property. This paper examines the applications, awareness, and climate of surveillance within the virtual world. It argues that the socio-technical environment of Second Life facilitates problematic covert surveillance, but also makes possible forms of resistance. Examples of surveillance technologies and applications reveal the ways in which the virtual world supports and obscures surveillance, making these practices challenging for participants to detect, analyze, and respond to. However, the recent controversial case of RedZone not only highlights some of the most pressing issues with Second Life surveillance, but also the ways in which participants are able to respond to perceived threats. Although ostensibly intended to track Internet protocol (IP) addresses in order to prevent in-world harassment and theft, participants expressed widespread concern at the program's potential for associating online and offline information and for linking together different avatars. In doing so, awareness was raised, protests were made, and counter-technologies were developed. These responses point to the ways in which the virtual world makes possible resistance to surveillance practices, especially when they are seen as a threat or intrusion.

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Sex Lives in Second Life

Cited by 55 publications

References 13 publications

Sexuality, power and the sociology of the internet

Sexuality, power and the sociology of the internet

Redes sociales virtuales, ¿fortalezas o debilidades? un análisis psicosocial relacionado con el cybersexo y la soledad - Virtual social networks, strengths or weaknesses? A psychosocial analysis in relation to cybersex and loneliness

Second Life Surveillance: Power to the People or Virtual Surveillance Society?

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