Ever since the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Americans have been faced with the development of a new paradigm about different cultures. What previously was simply considered a melting pot, where all cultures melted into one “American” culture, America is now a land that has many diverse cultures, each separate and distinct from the other. Most cultures have been viewed positively, but 9-11 brought Americans face to face with a culture they neither understand nor desire to understand.
In an effort to promote multiculturalism, and specifically, a new way to approach public diplomacy, Rita King and Joshua Fouts developed a virtual world called Second Life (2008). This new world challenges Americans to set aside their fears about Islam and develop a deeper understanding of the religion. King’s and Fouts’ work is intended to “build dialogue and understanding” between many different cultures in the hopes of transferring the lessons learned in the virtual world to the real, human world. There are both benefits and limitations to intercultural communications through the venue of virtual worlds. This paper will discuss several of the benefits and one limitation of intercultural communication through this context.
One benefit of using virtual worlds or online gaming is increased dialogue. Individuals playing the game develop avatars who participate in every aspect of the virtual world. People feel free to share their ideals, values and cultures with others in the game without fear. King and Fouts conclude that Muslims who participate in Second Life “contribute to a well-developed and inclusive perspective on religion, society, and democratic coexistence, which serves to undermine conditions that can lead to radical views and violent actions” (2008, p. 8). The same is true for people from all cultures, not just Muslims. As a result, there is considerable more dialogue among individuals from different cultures.
Another benefit to the virtual world is the opportunity to learn about different customs associated with different cultures. King and Fouts cite the example of “the ‘no shoes in the mosque’ rule” (p. 17). Respect demands that shoes be removed before entering the mosque in the real world, and gamers insist this practice be followed in the virtual world as well. Some gamers think this rule is absurd because “virtual soles gather no road dust” (p. 17). However, even in the virtual world, it is a sign of respect and has nothing to do with road dust. It is a custom that signifies respect and therefore must be followed, even in the virtual world.
Perhaps the most important benefit of the virtual world is that it provides a “powerful medium” that “can foster the agility needed to navigate a changing culture while offering a significant chance to celebrate and share that which is unique and irreplaceable” (King & Fouts, 2008, p. 19). As society changes, the virtual world allows people to explore those changes and evaluate them in light of one’s own culture as well as in light of the different cultures around the world.
The limitation of virtual worlds may be similar to the limitations of real life. People will share what they want to share in the virtual world just as they do in the real world. They will disclose only what they want other people to believe about them regardless of whether or not it represents the truth about who they really are and what they really believe. Levine (2007) explores this concept in his discussion on alter egos in virtual worlds. He cites Becky Glasure who describes her real self as a short person with a squeaky voice that nobody wants to pay attention to. Yet, in her virtual world, Becky’s avatar is a big, black guy to whom everybody listens and obeys (Levine, 2007). People in the virtual world do not see Becky as she really is; rather, they see who she wants them to see.
Virtual worlds do create new channels of communication that enhance the understanding of different cultures. They allow people to discuss their beliefs and values in ways that never before were possible. Before the advent of the Internet, people were limited by geography with whom they could interact. They could only meet and hold dialogue with people in their same geographical location. Today, that barrier is quickly eroding as more and more people connect to the Internet.
There are a great many benefits to online gaming through virtual worlds. People are exposed to other cultures and customs and have the opportunity to learn about those cultures in ways never before possible. They are able to ask questions of people from different cultures and get real world answers and experiences. King and Fouts said that “virtual exchange programs can be tailored to radically change the manner in which people relate to one another and view global culture” (p. 20). The limitation is that people, whether in the real world or in virtual worlds, will only disclose what they want other people to believe. It may be difficult for some to sift through the electronic dialogue and develop a perception that reflects reality.
Jandt acknowledges that “our experience with and knowledge of other cultures are limited by the perceptual bias of our own culture” (2010, p. 16). Virtual worlds allow people to develop a new perception of other cultures through virtual interaction with people from cultures different from our own. By understanding the values that guide the behavior of others, people will have a greater appreciation for diversity.
References
Jandt, F.E. (2010). Intercultural communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
King, R.J., and Fouts, J.S. (2008). Digital diplomacy: Understanding Islam through virtual worlds. Retrieved August 19, 2010, from http://www.cceia.org/resources/articles_papers_reports/0014.html/_res/id=sa_File1/PolicyPaper_DigitalDiplomacy.pdf
Levine, K. (2007). Alter egos in a virtual world. Retreived August 10, 2010, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12263532
