Performing the virtual double
In what follows the idea of the online double is historically contextualised and analysed. Beginning with the contemporary idea of the ‘selfie’ as online self-induced double, I proceed to discuss the Doppelgänger’s (double) mythical and literary roots, in order to expand the discussion of the selfi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Johannesburg
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Communicare |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/jcsa/article/view/1605 |
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| author | Amanda du Preez |
| author_facet | Amanda du Preez |
| author_sort | Amanda du Preez |
| collection | DOAJ |
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In what follows the idea of the online double is historically contextualised and analysed. Beginning
with the contemporary idea of the ‘selfie’ as online self-induced double, I proceed to discuss the
Doppelgänger’s (double) mythical and literary roots, in order to expand the discussion of the selfie
to include the online double. Two instances of the online double are unpacked, namely the double
as shadow and the double as a stand-in or alter-ego, which correspond significantly with Marshall
McLuhan’s analysis of the Narcissus myth and technological use. McLuhan reveals the doubled
nature of our technological engagement that leads to either self-amputation or self-amplification.
In my analysis, the double as shadow is correlated with self-amputation and the double as alterego
with self-amplification. It is argued that the double as shadow is evoked online through the
mining of data regarding the self that is captured consciously and unconsciously to create what
is known as the Data Doppelgänger. The figure of the Doppelgänger is further vividly conjured
through virtual stand-ins or alter-egos that act on behalf of the self to create a tele-presence
through examples such as Project Lifelike and rep.licants.org.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5ce5f6c760c94946b61123e6bc69393c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0259-0069 2957-7950 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | University of Johannesburg |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communicare |
| spelling | doaj-art-5ce5f6c760c94946b61123e6bc69393c2025-01-20T08:55:07ZengUniversity of JohannesburgCommunicare0259-00692957-79502022-10-0135110.36615/jcsa.v35i1.1605Performing the virtual doubleAmanda du Preez0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0403-115XUniversity of Pretoria In what follows the idea of the online double is historically contextualised and analysed. Beginning with the contemporary idea of the ‘selfie’ as online self-induced double, I proceed to discuss the Doppelgänger’s (double) mythical and literary roots, in order to expand the discussion of the selfie to include the online double. Two instances of the online double are unpacked, namely the double as shadow and the double as a stand-in or alter-ego, which correspond significantly with Marshall McLuhan’s analysis of the Narcissus myth and technological use. McLuhan reveals the doubled nature of our technological engagement that leads to either self-amputation or self-amplification. In my analysis, the double as shadow is correlated with self-amputation and the double as alterego with self-amplification. It is argued that the double as shadow is evoked online through the mining of data regarding the self that is captured consciously and unconsciously to create what is known as the Data Doppelgänger. The figure of the Doppelgänger is further vividly conjured through virtual stand-ins or alter-egos that act on behalf of the self to create a tele-presence through examples such as Project Lifelike and rep.licants.org. https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/jcsa/article/view/1605online doubleDoppelgängerdouble as shadowdouble as a stand-in or alter-egoself-amputation or self-amplificationData Doppelgänger |
| spellingShingle | Amanda du Preez Performing the virtual double Communicare online double Doppelgänger double as shadow double as a stand-in or alter-ego self-amputation or self-amplification Data Doppelgänger |
| title | Performing the virtual double |
| title_full | Performing the virtual double |
| title_fullStr | Performing the virtual double |
| title_full_unstemmed | Performing the virtual double |
| title_short | Performing the virtual double |
| title_sort | performing the virtual double |
| topic | online double Doppelgänger double as shadow double as a stand-in or alter-ego self-amputation or self-amplification Data Doppelgänger |
| url | https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/jcsa/article/view/1605 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT amandadupreez performingthevirtualdouble |