“What is real? How do you define real?
If you’re talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then ‘real’ is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain”
-Morpheus (The Matrix)
Following the logic of the above statement, I now find it hard to know what constitutes reality. In its most common definition, reality is the state of things in which they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined. In a wider definition, reality includes everything that is and has been, whether or not it is observable or comprehensible. In the field of science, an object being real or existing is something that occupies space and has the characteristics of matter.
The basic definition of reality does not easily coincide with that of cyberspace. The cyberspace is like another realm somewhat parallel to that of the real world but does not contain the physical and tangible characteristics. It only mimics reality but it has slowly and continuously taking over things that are real. Daily human activities nowadays are done with the aid of phones, tablets, laptops, and computers. If people would send messages to each other in the early years, they would write letters, make phone calls or send telegrams. Now, people would easily send emails through computers and communicate through social media. When people in the past want to make new friends they would attend a social gatherings or go out in public places to socialize and have long and friendly conversations. Now, a person can automatically have hundreds of friends within a few clicks through the help of social media. Decades ago, the cyberspace was a mere imagination but the fine line that differentiates the real word and the cyber realm is fading since its emergence in the 21st century. If sending messages and making friends in the traditional way are real, then why not doing the same things in the cyberspace cannot be easily established as real?
Living in this technological era, I am already immersed with the concept of cyberspace. Internet has been a part of my daily routine and I cannot remember a day without checking my social media accounts like Facebook timeline or Twitter page. Social media now felt like a need and a few days without social media would feel like isolation from the real world since you have no idea what is happening out there. I know that many people feel this way also. I have met several people who cannot last an hour not looking at their phones and post, like, tweet, instagram or snapchat anything under the sun which includes their selfies, food, their Starbucks drink and that #OOTD. It is quite ironic how social media seems to be their reality. Especially when going out, instead of socializing with friends that are around them, many people would choose to grab on to their phones and update their social media status.
cafe public intellectual 