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What is the Nature of Cyberspace?

by Justin McHale
([e-mail])

The word "cyberspace" is being used a lot lately, mostly in vague reference to
what goes on in the Internet or on BBSs. But the word has a much wider meaning,
it derives from the word "cybernetics," which is the science of communication and
control theory.

Cyberspace: The entire human information space
considered as a whole.

It is the information space which we all operate in -- radio
waves are as much a part of the cyberspace matrix as are the
means by which you are currently reading this article.
Anything which is a means of communication, or a
"communication" itself could arguably be considered part of
cyberspace.

What does a "human information space" really mean? Let's take each of those
words a step at a time, because each is important:

Information: The building blocks of cyberspace is information which can be
communicated. It is digital information in computers, radio signals, television
signals, telephones, i.e. digital recordings of all sorts - video tape, magnetic
tape, compact discs, etc.



Space: This potential for communication creates a space in two senses: (1) a
virtual area people may communicate (2) a virtual environment where
information can be stored.

Human: Cyberspace would not exist without us to "activate" it, otherwise it
would only exist as communication channels and information stored in
various locations across the world.


So at its most basic level cyberspace is just the "space" created when information
is communicated. But it is the speed at which communication takes place in
cyberspace which makes it what it is.

Identity In Cyberspace



In cyberspace you really have no identity until you create one. For most people on
the Internet or BBSs, your identity is nothing beyond the textual voice of the
messages you send, or on-line conversation. The common term for this kind of
"being" in cyberspace is "telepresence" or just a "presence."
Being a simple "presence" in cyberspace creates an interesting situation. The
identity you create in cyberspace does not necessarily have any connection with
your "real" identity outside of cyberspace. You can take the role of another
identity, even a completely artificial identity. But even if you don't take on a
different identity in cyberspace, you will still present a different side of your
personality, and interact with people differently. This is a natural effect of
cyberspace environment. Because everything is remotely communicated in
cyberspace, your "presence" is always a "tele" or a "far off" presence. No matter
how good the connection is between you and those you are tele-linked with (i.e.
even real-time video images for example), you are not present in the flesh.

The "World" Of Cyberspace

Cyberspace is a world of hyperreality. Hyperreality is place where "real" objects
are replaced by representations of objects. Thus in a hyperreal world, the "real" is
indistinguishable from illusion and simulation. In cyberspace for example, you
might find an image of a tree instead of a real tree, or perhaps you will simply
have the description "There is a tall tree here" substituting for a real tree.
Like identities in cyberspace, objects do not necessarily have to relate to anything
in "real" world at all. Objects or "things" in cyberspace can be as fantastic as can be
imagined.
Why not try to design the most fantastic cyberspace object your can imagine, and
contribute it to this magazine? Click here to jump to more information.
 This discussion of the basics of cyberspace will continue in the next issue.