Cyber-Synchronicity: The Concurrence of the Virtual and the Material via Text-Based Virtual Reality A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Scripps College of Communication of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Jeffrey S. Smith March 2010 © 2010 Jeffrey S. Smith. All Rights Reserved. This dissertation titled Cyber-Synchronicity: The Concurrence of the Virtual and the Material Via Text-Based Virtual Reality by JEFFREY S. SMITH has been approved for the School of Media Arts and Studies and the Scripps College of Communication by Joseph W. Slade III Professor of Media Arts and Studies Gregory J. Shepherd Dean, Scripps College of Communication ii ABSTRACT SMITH, JEFFREY S., Ph.D., March 2010, Mass Communication Cyber-Synchronicity: The Concurrence of the Virtual and the Material Via Text-Based Virtual Reality (384 pp.) Director of Dissertation: Joseph W. Slade III This dissertation investigates the experiences of participants in a text-based virtual reality known as a Multi-User Domain, or MUD. Through in-depth electronic interviews, staff members and players of Aurealan Realms MUD were queried regarding the impact of their participation in the MUD on their perceived sense of self, community, and culture. Second, the interviews were subjected to a qualitative thematic analysis through which the nature of the participant’s phenomenological lived experience is explored with a specific eye toward any significant over or interconnection between each participant’s virtual and material experiences. An extended analysis of the experiences of respondents, combined with supporting material from other academic investigators, provides a map with which to chart the synchronous and synonymous relationship between a participant’s perceived sense of material identity, community, and culture, and her perceived sense of virtual identity, community, and culture. An original theoretical instrument, the Cyber- Synchronicity model, is used to further explicate the interconnectedness of participant’s overall lived experience while engaged in play on Aurealan Realms. iii In sum, the research and analysis of respondent interviews demonstrates that there is significant synchronous and synonymous interconnection between a MUD participant’s material and virtual lived experience. Further, the Cyber-Synchronicity model is demonstrated as appropriate to graphically represent the nature of the material- virtual interconnection, as well as providing labels for the different aspects of the overall experience, represented as disparate yet connected and interrelated categories. Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Joseph W. Slade III Professor of Media Arts and Studies iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Research of this nature cannot come to fruition without significant assistance and counsel, and I have been fortunate to receive both in abundance. First and foremost, I would like to express my deep gratitude to my chairperson, Dr. Joseph Slade, who has guided me with a sure hand through every step of the process. This research could not have been completed without his direction, honesty, insight, and faith that I, as a writer and researcher, could rise to the standard set by his example, and I will be forever grateful to him. I would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Jenny Nelson, and Dr. Christina Beck, for their contributions to this study and their support throughout the process. I would like to offer special and sincere thanks to my fourth committee member, Dr. Sheri Bleam, my mentor, friend, and role-model, who was kind enough to not only lend her continual support, but also her advice on navigating the unknown waters of the dissertation process. I am proud to be a graduate of your program, and proud to be able to call you a colleague and friend. This research has been aided significantly by the kindness and experience of two “behind-the-scenes” individuals, whose endeavors and faith helped make this dissertation possible. I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Paula Carpenter and Cathy Janes. While a student on the Athens campus at Ohio University, and in the intervening years, both have been unfailing in their offers of support and assistance. Please know that I am more grateful than words can easily express. Thanks go out to the players and staff of Aurealan Realms MUD: Arosess, Eseops, Garoco, Dynsero, Isurut, Ostan, Rorayi, Sapron, Tahab, Taneit, and Utcarem. v Although the MUD described in their recollections exists now only in memory, it is a good and cherished memory because of your part in it. Without your cooperation, support, and friendship, none of this would have been possible. Thanks also to Trey Stohlman and Martin Curry, for their encouragement, talents, and friendship. And sincere and humble thanks to Tim Tilton, who never let me lose faith that I could reach this goal, even at times when it seemed insurmountable. Finally, I’d like to offer my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to my colleagues in the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts at Central Michigan University. And special thanks to Joan McDonald and Dr. Peter Orlik for always believing that the completion of this long journey was not only a possibility, but an inevitability. It is an honor to work beside you, and I look forward to doing so for many years to come. vi I dedicate this dissertation to my mother, Marilyn Smith, my father and stepmother, Hebrert and Judith Smith, my aunt, Luella Chatters, and most of all to my wife, Annette Pratt. You have all given me more than words can ever convey, and I thank you. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... v List of Figures ................................................................................................................... xii Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2: Review of Literature ....................................................................................... 13 2.1 – Virtual Environments: A Definition .................................................................... 13 2.2 – Computer-Mediated Communication .................................................................. 16 2.3 – Identity in Virtual Environments ......................................................................... 18 2.4 – MUDs as Community and Social Discourse ....................................................... 24 2.4.1 – Virtual Communities ..................................................................................... 27 2.5 – Virtual Culture ..................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 3: Relevance, Theory, and Methodology ............................................................ 32 3.1 – Relevance of Study .............................................................................................. 32 3.2 – Theoretical Grounding ......................................................................................... 34 3.2.1 – Identity .......................................................................................................... 35 3.2.2 – Community ................................................................................................... 42 3.2.2.1 – Types of Communities ........................................................................... 44 3.2.2.2 – The Multi-Faceted MUD Community ................................................... 48 3.2.3 – Phenomenological Existentials ..................................................................... 49 3.2.3.1 – Lived Space ............................................................................................ 51 3.2.3.2 – Lived Body/Lived Self ........................................................................... 52 viii 3.2.3.3 – Lived Time ............................................................................................. 52 3.2.3.4 – Lived Human Relations/Lived Other ..................................................... 53 3.2.4 – Application of Phenomenological Existentials ............................................. 54 3.3 – Methodology ........................................................................................................ 57 3.3.1 – Virtual Qualitative Interviewing ................................................................... 60 Chapter 4: Interviews and Analysis – Lived Self and Other ............................................ 65 4.1 – Introduction to Analysis and Discussion ............................................................. 65 4.2 – MUDding and Identity ......................................................................................... 67 4.2.1 – Rules of the Realm ........................................................................................ 67 4.2.2 – Choices and Decisions .................................................................................. 71 4.2.3 – Lived Self ...................................................................................................... 82 4.2.4 – Extensions of Lived Self ............................................................................... 88 4.3 – Virtual and Material Interpersonal Relationships