COM 340 First Post: Online Identity

The confusion rises about whether or not 22-year-old Matthew Cordle is guilty of vehicular homicide due to drinking and driving. After uploading a video confessing his actions, Franklin County grand jury faces a decision based off of online identity. The viral video also includes Cordle’s plea towards discouraging drinking and driving. With a click of a “record” button, Cordle leaves the jury to ask: genuine sincerity or creative tactic?

People have used the internet as an excuse to change their entire character. Hidden behind a screen, one never thinks about the consequences that can occur when using online identity. For Matthew Cordle, his viral confession landed him a twisted state. Without truly knowing if his confession was sincere or played, his sentence has affected the public in many ways. As discussed in class, one's true character is portrayed by both thier ascribed and reflexive identity. Matthew’s actions determine what millions of others think about him. Based on this ordeal, people may feel more positively about using the internet to strengthen ones confidence; however, it can also turn heads in another direction. Users may feel the need to use the web in order to hide any evidence of who they are in reality.  In saying that, I believe that one-on-one communication is necessary, because although the technology of information processing has expanded greatly, it is imperative that specific information is discussed personally in order to comprehend an individual’s feelings and emotions. No computer can calculate that. I think that people should use this story as a way of understanding what it means to be who you really are. Maybe not confess to killing a man, but knowing when and where to discuss appropriate information between acquaintances and personal relations.

The World Wide Web can be both rewarding and dangerous. Depending on how one uses the technology, the internet can always come back to bite. Looking back on the article, Matthew Cordle found that although he had many people on his side, he still confused a lot of viewers to think about what is going on within their home computers. As discussed in class, Catfish, the MTV television series, is a perfect example of why one-on-one communication can determine the truth. Throughout the show, more and more young adults are learning the consequences of online identity, and not the easy way. As someone who has seen episodes, I can say that I have learned to think before I “comment” on others’ sites, knowing that I cannot judge a book by, well, its online identity.  From confession videos to fake profiles, the World Wide Web is continuously changing. Without any rules or regulations people are entitled to their own opinion and because of that, online identity will reign. I believe that whether someone is afraid, lonely or compulsively lies, the internet will always be the place to hide.