Seite - 111 - in Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics

Cyberneuroethics • 111 such as their looks or buy a house, car and clothes that they could never afford in real life. Second Life also enables users to make meaningful relation- ships that may be based on a projected self and common interests. In real life, individuals are subject to many experiences that are outside of their control. In the virtual world, on the other hand, they are delivered from these limita- tions and success is easier to attain. Already, for certain individuals, the virtual world may develop into an end in itself  – the preferred place in life. It has even been predicted that the real world will have to change if it wants to lure these people out of their virtual worlds and back into being fully participating members of society.38 But there are also challenges for the future of Second Life.39 For exam- ple, the Linden Research, Inc. company that created Second Life has now downsized and is focusing on users selling virtual goods to each other.40 Nevertheless, increasing numbers are still using the website, demonstrating that many individuals find their experience in the virtual world to be benefi- cial. Indeed, a person who plays a virtual reality game and who feels a sense of unity and interaction with other players may see this as being far more positive than just passively watching television on his or her own. That being said, nobody is certain in which direction all this will go. By examining the way in which real and virtual realities may interact in the future, the American author Michael Heim indicated that: ‘With its virtual environments and simulated worlds, cyberspace is a metaphysical laboratory, a tool for examining our very sense of reality.’41 However, it is worth noting that virtual worlds are not in any way new, since many individuals have often sought refuge in the fantasy world of books. Therefore, there may not be any serious consequences as a result of spending time in cyberspace  – it may just be a question of balance. Social Media In contrast to traditional communication technologies, social media enables a person to create, share, consume and collaborate in many new ways.42 Online social media has seen a surge in usage in recent years, becoming one of the most commonly used activities for a majority of those in countries such as the United Kingdom.43 However, in the future  – and though it is difficult to predict  – the nature and use of online appliances may change radically,44 creating concerns about how online identities could be controlled and how ownership can be regu- lated. Further questions relating to the use of personal content and whether this can remain a private matter may be asked.45 One possible use of social media, for example, is the development of more political activism using networks that may become influential in This open access edition has been made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license thanks to the support of Knowledge Unlatched. Not for resale.