Cyberspace by Esther Dyson (Detailed Summary) Plus One

Cyberspace

                                                                                                                   - Esther Dyson

Detailed Summary

                “Cyberspace” is an essay which is written by Esther Dyson. In the beginning of the essay, the writer tells that modern mind is going after news fields, exploring new things, freedom and eager to make rules but have no interest in following them. This leads people to become part of cyberspace,a world where they can do whatever they want to do.

                According to the writer, earlier cyberspace was used by “computer nerds” and “techies”. But today cyberspace contains people of different age groups such as children, teenagers, adults, elders, etc. Then the writer tries to explain what cyberspace is. The earlier metaphors which were used to refer cyberspace were “highways” and “frontiers”. But the writer uses “real estate” as a metaphor. She defines a “real estate” as “an intellectual, legal, artificial environment constructed on the top of land”.

                Cyberspace can be defined as a “virtual real estate” which contains many websites. Among these websites, some websites are free and can be used by anyone. Some websites are “privately owned” and some are “rented out”. Some sites are good for children. There are some websites in cyberspace which people have to avoid at any cost. According to the writer, these sites give a negative conclusion to its users and they will tell, “Better regulate it”.

                The general misconceptions about cyberspace are that it is a world where innocent children are trapped by evil people. Also, people think that some users send “offensive messages” to “unwilling viewers” in cyberspace.

                But what makes cyberspace different from other platforms is that it is a platform where an individual is free to choose and access any website, can see any videos and can do any activity. If the Internet users do not like a website, he can leave at any moment. Another feature of cyberspace is that it is a platform where everyone's needs are satisfied. In order to avoid cyber addiction, the user should need “self-rule” rather than regulating it.

                Then the writer posits some merits of cyberspace. The first is that it promotes private conversation via e-mail. Second is that it provides information and entertainment services to its users. Also, users can download anything such as movies, music, book, research thesis, paper presentations, etc. The third is that there are “real communities” in cyberspace who assemble each other for debating, expressing their opinions or views over a particular topic, giving suggestions to people, etc. In order to avoid rude participants, unnecessary advertisement and unimportant discussion, there are moderators in almost all communities.

                Why people are going after cyberspace is that there are no power structures. Everyone can enjoy their freedom. No one is there to oppress or suppress them. Also, in cyberspace, any community can be formed at any time. Irrespective of geographical location, anyone can become members of these communities. If the user doesn't like a particular community, he/ she can leave at any time. These communities are the self-contained community. Each community sets its own rules and regulations to protect intellectual property, content and access control and rules about privacy and free speech.

                In the end, Esther Dyson tells that one should not have a negative perception of cyberspace. But one should know that the world in which one is living is not perfect. Then how one can expect that cyberspace is a perfect world. It is also imperfect but one can have at least individual choice and individual responsibility of whatever he does.