Why are our online identities so different from our real ones?

Our world is full of cut-throat competition and we are constantly struggling to be identified. Identity can be termed as an action conscious of itself. It emphasizes the sharing of a degree of sameness or oneness with others in a particular area or at a given point. W. H. Auden aptly quotes "Young people, who are still uncertain of their identity, often try on a succession of masks in the hope of finding the one which suits them, the one, in fact, which is not a mask." It is true that a new personality is incomplete without a new identity. A new identity gives you the opportunity to be someone you always wanted to be. It is a chance to experiment, to fake fame and success. It is an opportunity to quench the desire of being the most popular, rich and famous person you always wanted to be, without any actual consequences.

Our identity in the virtual world greatly differs from our real one because in real life we fear the uninvited judgement of society on every bit of our existence. We fear being criticized or laughed at. The youngsters want to do what’s forbidden and yet remain nameless. They want to breathe free momentarily, even if it is not real. Anonymity is one such weapon which empowers the hesitant to speak and the realistic to dream. One such example is the brutal Delhi rape case. The masses have been using internet as a platform to voice their opinions, loud and clear, and yet staying anonymous. Their voices are echoing throughout the country, shaking every pillar and will do so until justice comes our way.

Even the notorious types wear masks. The destructive minds take the aide of fake identities to target the unaware masses in unethical ways and make them victims of fraud and robbery. There are surplus examples of terrorists and hackers who have used fake names to attack government websites and banks, and stolen precious information. Online identity scams have multiplied in form and name. Recently hitting the headlines is Notre Dame star linebacker, Manti Te’o’s fake girlfriend hoax. He reportedly fell for a “catfish” i.e. someone posting fake news of his romantic relationship and death of his girlfriend who never existed! He decided to go along with the wind, mentioning a non-existent girlfriend in interviews, grieving her death. The story definitely made him the top trending term on Twitter and got him Heisman Ranking No. 2 courtesy the unnamed hacker. Such attackers vanish swiftly into the pool of anonymity and are difficult to trace unless a legal action is invoked.

You need not have evil motives for using a fake identity. For some people it is a matter of privacy and avoiding scammers. With growing technology, people, especially teenagers, are becoming more vulnerable. Revealing one’s real self puts one at the risk of exposure and exploitation. There have been numerous cases where young, innocent women meet online friends who turn out to be jerks, and end up molested and trashed. A mask helps one stay protected, be expressive or even flirty without risking physical damage. Even the U.S. Military has purchased software designed to create and control false online personas in an attempt to use social media and other websites to counter anti-U.S. messaging. A hacktivist group named Anonymous follows the concept of all people as unnamed collective. Holding up their fake shared online identity, the members of the group contribute to the society as whistle-blowers against faulting organizations or simply speak their hearts out, something which they hesitate doing in a regular society. Although the group is more famous for cyber attacks, they have also lent a hand in promoting the interests of LGBTs, freedom of speech and protesting against barbarian laws. Masked heroes like Batman and Spider-man saw injustice and fought against it. In a country where corruption is at peak and raising a voice is analogous to playing with fire, all we need are leaders with the likes of our comic heroes.

Anonymity is a coin – its two faces being the real and the fake sides of our existence. On one hand the oppressed use it to make a strong statement while on the other hand the tyrants use it to ensnare the innocent. It is a power vested in your hands to be used as you will. Whether you bait or you liberate is a matter of choice.

Friends beyond Borders

W

e live in dynamic times, a world which changes in the blink of an eye. In such transient moments, the chance of survival of a relationship appears bleak. Today, where our own fathers and cousins rape, murder and stab our backs for their selfish needs, a bond of trust across border seems chimerical. We have come to believe that humanity has ceased to exist. We have fenced ourselves from the world, because it feels safer to do so. People have started to chain down feelings for one is never sure when it may be used against oneself. We have come to believe that humanity has ceased to exist. This delusion dissolved when I met a random female foreigner on a chatting site. Out of curiosity and with the thought of showing-off my elite PR network, I contacted her through a social network. Nowadays where Indians are being abused, murdered and attacked with hate speeches, her warm words and politeness were an instant attraction. With time, common interests helped us strike a match. Her concern, efforts to cheer me up, warm re-assurances and helpful tips instilled in me a feeling that she was a friend indeed – but beyond my reach. With course of time our friendship has blossomed and strengthened, we share secrets, aspirations and ambitions. Now I have someone to hear me out when no one’s listening, a friend who grieves with me, laughs on my jokes and guides me when I’m confused. She has been my confidante and I, her vitamin. Familiarity has replaced curiosity and glorification has replaced brandishing. Though I don’t know her in person, but my heart knows our friendship is genuine. Her words motivate me, her thoughts inspire. She keeps her promises and expresses her deep desires. She confides in a friendship that no walls can contain, no despotism can enslave. So, once again, I have come to believe that love exists, friendship and trust exist, humans and humanity exists – across borders.