Digitalism and the More Knowledgeable Other
Symposium:
- ISEA2011: 17th International Symposium on Electronic Art
- More presentations from ISEA2011:
Session Title:
- Without Sin: Taboo and Freedom within Digital Media
Presentation Title:
- Digitalism and the More Knowledgeable Other
Presenter(s):
Venue(s):
Abstract:
Panel: Without Sin: Taboo and Freedom within Digital Media
In Social Development Theory Vygotsky (1978) argues that social interaction precedes development; consciousness and cognition are the end product of socialization and social behaviour. A Key concept of Vygotsky’s The More Knowledgeable Other (or MKO) refers to anyone who has a better understanding or a higher ability level than the learner. In these contemporary contexts the MKO could potentially be represented by interactions on the Internet or experience gleaned from social media. Role testing or playing is expected to be transitional – done in our youth, but within online and digital gaming contexts we can delay and extend this developmental process. Both the reality of an un-chartable (dark) Internet, the acknowledged rate of change and the significantly problematic lack of any societal sanction or prohibition, gives ‘us’ more space and opportunity to explore the taboo and address repression. With extended explorations of self brings issues around consciousness, totalization of indetity and what is authentic and what now constitutes healthy behaviour?