Isomäki Hannakaisa; Pohjola Anneli (eds) University of Lapland (2005) Pehmeäkantinen kirja 43,20 € |
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Lost and Found in Virtual Reality: Women and Information Technology Contemporary information and communication technologies (ITC) have given rise to the formation of many virtual communities and groups of individuals who are often widely separated geographically and who share common interests to the extent of forming personal relationships in virtual reality − on the web. Simultaneously, the nature of ICT is changing: women and men use new web-based systems for diverse purposes, such as organising their domestic affairs, finding information and services, playing games, and for staying in touch with their friends. Various technologies act as interaction mediators in establishing social spaces which are important social and cultural reference points for users but also for ICT professionals. In particular, the study of gender is increasingly a cultural issue since in virtual reality people live in a world of interpretations. The purpose of this book is to offer the reader diverse views on virtual realities with respect to the gender-related meanings they evoke. Thus, the analyses incorporated into this multidisciplinary compilation reveal how gender-related social order is created in virtual reality. This view is seen as the starting point for discussions, understandings and explorations of how the creation of essential social order is possible in the development and use of new technologies. |