I did, yet more research this week; delving into numerous PHD papers and attempting to clarify the term “virtual” for my own usage in this project. What I came up with was this:
Generally, virtual objects are objects that are either:
(a) experienced through or
(b) simulated by the use of technology
There are 2 types of virtual objects that K.M. Lee talks in the article, Communication Theory. The first of these objects is para-authentic. Para-authentic virtual objects are objects that are the mediated version of actual objects (i.e. e-mail, chats, etc). The second of these object types is artificial. Artificial virtual objects are objects created or simulated by technology, with no necessary real-life counterparts (i.e. computer A.I.). Coming to class with these definitions led to a few lengthy, existential discussions involving bees, acorns, and water jugs and whether or not everything was para-authentic or if artificial could even exist. Where they all brought me back to though, was a rephrasing of my original question of, “Can an artificial object, if given a tangible form, become para-authentic?”
After meeting with Anne Burdick, the crit I was given was to stop reading and start making. I was advised against perusing anymore P.H.D. papers as I could spend an entire term just researching those definitions. A few starting points that I’d like to explore this next week is possibly making cultural probes for online communities such as Second Life, World of Warcraft, or City of Heroes. Perhaps another iteration of the analog probes which were done in the first term or some virtual interaction which affects a physical counterpart. I’m not entirely sure yet, but I do know that I need to start up my WOW subscription again.
