Virtual reality contains implications of spacialized thinking in terms of the subject within the virtual world. In the jargon alone it is blatant to see that our understanding of space and time within the virtual world is not structured adequately for this new space. Metaphors are most often used to explain geography and spacial relations on-line; such as a site being referred to as a “frontier” to build on, or spaces such as Second Live or Alphaworld can be “colonized.” The computer’s screen is often referred to as a page of a book. However, this literary metaphor is decieving as the article exemplifies. Women who may look to books in order to escape real world problems (ie. harrasment), find that there is still an occurance of these problems on-line. Many misconceptions arise from such metaphors because there is a lack every element that is within the virtual space. The book metaphor may refer to the thought that virtual space is “another world”, however it does not contain the elements of interactivity, communication and public input which effects changes constantly. Gender play a large role in VR because whether the controller amplifies their gender or denotes it, it plays a part in the site itself. The controller utilizes the space for different reasons that may not be as easily controlled in real life, and the viewer creates a gender for the site, not the creator.
Virtual reality, unlike the real world, is a space that can be completely controlled. Every aspect of the virtual space can be altered to the likings of the controller. This also brings forward the point that, in the virtual world, most often it is the space that is designated a name and identity, instead of the person who created it. Every space in VR is immediately given a higher status than many in the real world. Similarly to institutional or sacred spaces, each space in VR has a purpose and meaning which is utilized by the public for that specific reason.
