1996

Hamman Robin

Cyborgasms Cybersex Amongst Multiple-Selves and Cyborgs in the Narrow-Bandwidth Space of America Online Chat Rooms

http://cybersoc.blogs.com/cyborgasms.html

Cybersex in online chat rooms is defined here as having two forms: 1) computer mediated interactive masturbation in real time and, 2) computer mediated telling of interactive sexual stories (in real time) with the intent of arousal. Both of these forms of cybersex are found on America Online. Ethnographic methods are used in researching and writing this paper. There are several key theoretical arguments made here. Computer-mediated-communication is narrow-bandwidth. Much of the information we obtain in face to face interaction is from body language and other physical cues. In narrow-bandwidth communications, this information is not transmitted, making misinterpretations frequent. This has led to the emergence of a new language which helps users to avoid misinterpretations. Because AOL chat rooms are a narrow-bandwidth space, users are anonymous there. This anonymity allows users to safely and freely experiment with their multiplicity of selves. The multiple selves that users of online chat rooms experiment with online are part of a whole self. Experimentation with these selves is possible, at present, only within the narrow-bandwidth space on online chat rooms. People become cyborgs when two boundaries become problematic, 1) the boundary between animal and human and, 2) the boundary between human and machine. The people presented in this paper are cyborgs because pieces of them are undeniably tied to the computer, a prosthesis. Cyborg theory is a powerful tool for looking at sexuality and gender issues in wider society. In the conclusion of this paper, it is argued that we can only resist becoming cyborgs if we can fix the repressive `real world' society that keeps us from experimenting with our multiplicity of selves. Until we live in a society where it is safe to freely experiment with sexuality, and with gender (a social construct), we will be forced to become cyborgs.