The virtual community of LambdaMOO has an intense reaction to the cyber-rape of several characters by Mr Bungle. Although this story seems to unfold in a world far from ours in the reading A Rape in Cyberspace by Julian Dibbell, I found the links to the real life or ‘RL’ eerie and disturbingly close to home. Although the rape only happened to two characters, the emotional and ethical repercussions begin to concern the majority of the cyber community of LambdaMOO. Amongst the outrage, there are also several groups willing to let the matter slide in order to preserve the freedom of cyber communities. A freedom which is censored within RL. Dibbell says the rape is “Ludicrously excessive by RL’s lights, woefully understated by VR’s.”(p203) which shows the exact reason for our hesitance towards such on-line crimes. This is where the gap between the real world and cyber clash within the undefined structure of technological existences and intermingling.
Dibbell highlights the effects that cyber culture has on its real life participants. Legba, a participant of LambdaMOO cried at her computer as she posted her reaction to her cyber rape, calling for “Virtual castration”(p203). When discussion arises as to what punishment should be handed down to Mr Bungle, it comes about due to the fact that cyberspace and real life cannot be separated. Without even realising it, our ideas about cultural ethics cross into our social environments on the web. The link between both is together a blessing and a curse. It allows us to perhaps use our cyber culture as a tool to enhance our real life experiences whilst simultaneously creating the same rules in cyberspace that hinder our ultimate freedom in the real world. The gap between the virtual and the real is the critical problem we face when blogging, facebooking or walking within these online communities. Do we resolve tensions through applying the same rules we have in the real world?
It is also important to note through Dibbell’s reading that although “LambdaMOO has never been the same since…nothing’s really changed”(p210). Many issues can be raised from ‘The Bungle Affair’ such as the intensity at which issues online are raised and then evaporate. It is also interesting to note that even though Mr Bungle was ‘toaded’, he was still able to return as another character, rendering the online judicial system somewhat of a farce really. The threat of the rape is still ultimately there, yet virtual time, and perhaps the virtual community, has healed and learnt so fast that blocks have been put in place to prevent it happening again. Viewing this from afar, we could say that perhaps the community system in cyberspace is more effective then a judicial system setup like in RL.
The cyber community of LambdaMOO, unlike the real world, is segregated over the rape. There are many justifications, approaches and arguments from groups such as the ‘technolibertarians’, royalists, parliamentarian legalists, anarchists and even a strong female participant response over how to deal with the rape whilst maintaining the freedoms of cyber space. Which group would you belong to and why? Do you think that actions performed online, such as the cyber-rape, should be punished or is it simply a consequence of the freedoms of cyber culture?
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5 comments:
When I began reading the article, I thought cyber-rape was the equivalent of saying the words he typed out loud in a real-life context: simply inappropriate and offensive. Then, I read about the victims' reactions and realised how emotionally involved they were in LambdaMOO. Perhaps, it was the equivalent of an actress portraying a rape victim: strong emotions without any physical harm...
Then, I realised that it is impossible to compare virtuality with real life. Everyone reacts differently. Freedom is part of democracy, and one common standard is J.S. Mill's harm principle: your freedom only ends where it causes, or is likely to cause, physical harm to others. But there is no such thing as physical harm in Cyberspace. Surely that doesn't mean that there are no limits?
It is a question of ethics, and although I love freedom of speech, it should not extend to attacking individuals. Therefore, I would have to agree with the LambdaMOO community's actions in punishing Mr. Bungle.
I agree with Verity that what it comes down to is a question of ethics. Simply saying that actions such as virtual rape are consequences of freedom in cyber space opens up a very scary can of worms. Just because you have the ability to do or say certain things, doesn’t make it right. In acting in a way that made others feel victimised (and in a pretty graphic way, no less), Mr Bungle is crossing the line in terms of freedom in cyber culture.
Because of this he, and other perpetrators, should be punished for their inappropriate online behaviours, just as they would be in RL. However, exactly how these acts should be punished, I’m not sure (as Rebekah noted, after being “toaded” Mr Bungle was allowed to return to the site, simply under a different name – this says a lot about how well these behaviours can be effectively punished).
It seems to me like a futile battle but if everyone agrees online actions like Mr Bungle's are inappropriate, is there any possible way to punish offenders? Mr Bungle was able to come back as another character so would there be any further follow up that could be done to prevent or control the actions of 'cyber-rapists'?
It seems to me like a futile battle but if everyone agrees online actions like Mr Bungle's are inappropriate, is there any possible way to punish offenders? Mr Bungle was able to come back as another character so would there be any further follow up that could be done to prevent or control the actions of 'cyber-rapists'?
As far as the whole issue of cyber rape goes I agree with Joanna, Rebekah and Verity that is is more of an ethical question than anything else. When joining online communities one does so with the belief that the others who form part of this virtual community will conduct themselves in a civilized and unoffensive manner. And although what Mr.Bungle did was morally reprehensible and a complete abuse of the privileges granted him by LambdaMOO I think that it is impossible to consider what happens in virtual reality tto be as harmful as what happens in real life. Although the victims of 'cyber rape' do truly feel they are the victims of abuse I believe it to be in a smaller scale. But by no means should people be permitted to attack other individuals without any repercussions to their actions, and those running these online communities should try to devise a manner for members such as Mr.Bungle to be punished for his behavior and also a way to block him from this virtual community so he can no longer harm other members.
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