On Virtual Self In Network

With the advent of the Internet age, a new virtual living space for human is created, which brings a new way of self-existence and self-expression, that is, the existence of self in virtual space-"virtual self. Virtual self is a ramification of real self in virtual environment. The interpersonal nature, post-modernity, and disinhibition of network technology, as well as the vessel effect are the technical conditions of the virtual self in network. The psychological bases of the virtual self in network are the spiritual compensation for the lack of matters, self-identity laboratory, stage of self hidden under the mask provide, and a new means of healthy personality demands. The value of virtual self in network is a new means to understand the world, a new method to achieve self-worth, and a new way to pursue freedom.In fact, virtual self, embodied in ideal self, fictional self, imagined self, or contradictory self that contradict and conflict with real self, did exist in real life before the emergence of network. It was neglected by people, since it was not became a relatively independent existence. With network technology, which frees people from the restrictions of the real world, offers more first-hand experiences and senses of presence in cyberspace, and provides conditions for the becoming a relatively independent existence of the virtual self.The development of virtual self in network can be divided into the primary stage and the advanced stage. Virtual self in the primary stage rely on the network environment, with obvious perceptual character, greatly affected by the outside information of network and network companies, often cannot control its own. Although psychologically we could feel the existence of virtual self, it isn't completely autonomic, thus it is not a self in the essential sense. Virtual self in the advanced stage is the outcome of conscious reflection and moral promotion and the self of consciousness under the domination of reason. It is only the virtual self in network reach this stage that the network can truly be a beneficial tool for people rather than constraining or misleading facility. To reach the advanced stage of the virtual self in network is the goal of development of virtual self in network, however now few people have reached that stage so that many social problems are caused.Virtual self in network has its positive meaning and value. It helps to reflect the true state of self from a new perspective, find the weaknesses and shortcomings of self, as well as develop and perfect self through the practical network activities. This is the function that virtual self at the advanced stage should perform. However, it is also should be noted that virtual self in the primary stage has brought many new problems and even some negative impacts currently. Virtual self in this stage often rejects the intervention and control of the real self, even aggresses and corrupts it. It firstly results in adolescents' infatuation with the virtual self, and addiction to network games. The youngsters escape from reality, seeking relief on Internet. Further more, they apply the logic and rules of the network to the real world. Secondly, for adults, virtual identity and the unconventional virtual communication lead to psychological problems such as loneliness, emptiness, and addiction, or even the problems of split personality, alienation of social roles and self-identity crisis. Among the partial netizens, there is a tendency to advocate sensibility while ignoring rationality, to pursue vulgarity and practicality while opposing to elegance and depth. Developed further, it may lead to the degradation of self-perception, and the anti-social mainstream tendency. Some of the weaknesses of Chinese traditional culture aggravate the irrational virtual self in network, as well as the trend that the only-child generation fascinated in the virtual self.In conclusion, we must find the ought-to-be relations between virtual self and network technology, so as to make network technological activities the overall self activities dominated by self-awareness, as well as activities of self-integration, self-coordination and personality sublimation, rather than the activities of self-split. To remodel "virtual self" in line with the needs of social development, we needs not only to build the virtual self ethic, but also to make sure that social education and public opinion play a role together.