Integrity

We all use slightly loaded words to help convey a message or, as Noam Chomsky calls it, “manufacture consent”, and I do need to explain more fully my concern over the use of the word integrity in connection with the question of whether or not one decides to disclose RL names and circumstances of SL avatars (other worlds are available).

Botgirl’s words “Public pseudonymity IS compatible with the quest to live with integrity” started me on this particular path as I posted previously ....here.... and thank you for your comments.....

The implication that integrity is increased through disclosure (not only here but in other recent postings by others) is the lie disguised as truth that I want to disagree with the most strongly.

The logical extrapolation being.... that publishing my photo, address and details of my breakfast makes me a more moral being.

Integrity, whether in relation to the Self, or to a piece or art like me, Soror, is the same, viz.. “ Integrity as a concept has to do with perceived consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcome.”
If I decide to create an avatar in a VW I move into a new context. The integrity of that creation is compromised when my decisions and actions are taken out of context. That means, quite simply, that there is less integrity in an avatar that has been linked to a RL personality.

If the RL person is under the delusion that that increases their integrity, hmmm, well...interesting to ask why..

An anonymous commentator I thought to be particularly interesting in this discussion as it sort of justifies my concern. He (that may be a sexist assumption) demanded that I “come clean” and the assumption is obviously that pseudonymity is a dirty state of existence, transparency being morally commendable.

I think there is an underlying paranoia which has to do with the unknown. Jung was fascinated by the alchemists as he saw speculation about the unknown to be a near perfect state of ‘transference”., i.e. the individual transfers his fears and hopes onto the unknowable (for example, the future; in the case of the alchemists, matter) and in so doing reveals his/her psyche.

“We know what power you'd like too, but we're onto you now.;)” Well,this is pure transference. [My particular plans for world domination through the planting of flowers is not going so well that it warrants studying by a committee (unless “we” refers to the Royal pronoun and it is Prince Charles who is writing..)].... but this feeling of being watched by person or persons unknown, which is a short hop from religion and schizophrenia, is maybe a driving factor behind this particular persons fanaticism.

Now, it is not the fault of Islam that there are some fanatics who take extreme action, no more than it is any one particular person who is at fault for this disclosure fanaticism, but....I think it is time to stop spreading the idea that disclosure is more honourable.

...and I hope Lalo Telling won’t mind that I post these wise words as a ‘final word’....

“I think (to paraphrase Botgirl's blog post) we are ready to move past the navel-gazing stage of "Am I my avatar; is my avatar me?" and accept that the answer is "Yes." Names don't matter. Words and actions do, so let's look at how -- and why -- our presence in the Metaverse expresses us, how it changes us, how we change it, and what we want to do with that.”

excellent.

:))