How much of you is reflected in your myspace profile? What makes a person your "friend"?

Cyberspace is a virtual place, an imagined community, a new medium of communication. What does the internet and online communities like myspace mean for humanitys future? Or are online communities flashes in the cultural pan? What does it mean to be human as we become more reliant on technology? How are past uses of technology different or forerunners of the internet. How are identities and subcultures created and how do they develop and change? What is the role of globalization in cyberspace?

I am also interested in religion in cyberspace (greetings to my anthro of religion students). Will religion become transformed by the internet just as it was by cuneiform and the printing press? Is there such a thing as "virtual spirituality"?

Anthropology:
The study of humans. Anthropology is divided into the biological, archaeological, linguistic, and social-cultural perspectives. It is the only discipline that spans the humanities, social sciences and science.

Cyberspace:
The electronic medium of computer networks, in which online communication takes place. -bartleby.com

The imaginary, interactive 'worlds' created by networked computers; often used interchangeably with 'virtual world'. The invention of the word 'cyberspace' is generally credited to US science-fiction writer William Gibson (1948 ) and his first novel Neuromancer 1984.


Thanks to Celina Luna for sending this image.

CYBERSPACE CAN BE SERIOUS GRIST FOR THE ANTHROPOLOGY MILL, BUT FEEL FREE TO BRING UP THE FUN AND THE STRANGE. THERE'S PLENTY OF WEIRDNESS TO GO AROUND ON MYSPACE, MUCH LESS THE INTERNET AS A WHOLE.