Virtual Worlds as a Means to Promote Intercultural Communications

While the art of communication has been studied, practiced and taught since ancient times, it is safe to presume that neither Protagoras nor any of the experts that followed in his footsteps would ever fathom the idea of virtual worlds existing on something called an internet. And yet here we are, in an information age in which any individual with access to a computer can learn anything about another culture half-way around the world within seconds. What could be better than reading to one’s heart is content?

Why, interacting with someone from the culture one is seeking to understand of course, which may prove to be highly unlikely…unless “half-way around the world” becomes “virtual world”, and then everything is possible. While there are definitely benefits to this form of interaction, there are also limitations, both of which will be addressed in this paper.

Benefits of Virtual Communications

1. They allow contact with individuals that may not be otherwise possible in the “real” world.

A teenager in rural Iowa would have a difficult time meeting and befriending a Muslim teenager in his natural environment, and would therefore never understand the Muslim culture from a direct secondhand perspective. In the virtual environment, he can chat with a Muslim (who might otherwise never meet an Iowa farm boy) and they can share their life’s perspectives with each other. This may reduce each boy’s tendency to stereotype and widen their world view.

Here's a YouTube video that explains how virtual worlds can broaden our horizons:




2. They allow a freedom of expression and interaction that may not be acceptable in public.

If said farm boy and Muslim did encounter each other on the street, the Muslim may be highly discouraged to talk to the “infidel”, just as the farm boy’s friends may be suspiciously eying or bad-mouthing the Muslims. In the virtual realm, every person can freely get to know another without being under the watchful, sometimes judging eyes of peers. They are free to form their own opinions in response, rather than immediately receiving negative feedback from peers, as well.

3. They level the playing field.

In a project by Joshua Fouts and Rita King, it was discovered that “people share information about their real lives and beliefs in a virtual world where physical harm is not a factor and where issues such as gender, race, age and physical ability are hidden from view on first sight, thus creating a level field in which conversations can take place (Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds, 2008-2009). Predisposed notions or opinions about a certain culture are irrelevant when we cannot “see” who we are talking with.

Limitations of Virtual Communications

1. There is a potential for communication to be insufficient, or, worse, misconstrued.

In a virtual environment, one’s emotions behind the words are often difficult to perceive, and a joke can quickly become an offense. Tone of language is basically absent, and the amount of words in a conversation is drastically lower than those in a spoken conversation. People seem more abrupt, and language differences between cultures could lead to some serious misunderstandings that could be cleared up easily in a face-to-face encounter with physical gestures, smiles, etc.

2. One can never be positive of who they are communicating with.

Returning to the rural teen/Muslim teen example, it is possible that the farm boy isn’t talking to a Muslim at all, but a stranger or immature individual trying to stir up dissention. This “Muslim” may state any number of crazy things that would infuriate the farm boy and create a hatred of the Muslim culture based off of that false experience. The Muslim teen may talk to an “American teen” who loathes America and is seeking Islam, but who is in actuality, the Muslim boy’s father in the other room, trying to reinforce his son’s faith in Islam. There are many imposters in the virtual realm.

3. The big picture could be missed.

In virtual realms, an individual is dealing with only a very small number of people from any given culture, specifically those with computer and internet access and an interest in virtual game playing. Meeting one African in this environment in no way gives a person an accurate perspective of the typical African, who doesn’t have access to technology. It greatly limits an expanded, accurate world view if it is the only source of multicultural experiences.

Just as the human population is forever changing and progressing, our approach to communication and understanding must also change and progress. While there is much promise in the bridge-building that can be accomplished through virtual worlds, it is crucial that we do not substitute Second Life for real life, and the benefits that can come from personal encounters and meaningful friendships with those from a diversity of cultures.


Reference

Fouts, J. and King, R. (2008-2009). Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds. Carnegie Council website. Retrieved September 27, 2010 from http://www.cceia.org/programs/archive/002/index.html.