What is cyberspace?
Lessig describes Cyberspace as an abstract virtual world devoid of the restrictions of real space such as social norms, rules, regulations, and laws of nature. A place where people can gather, interact, communicate and form relationships, setting their own rules and regulations limited only by the code used to create the environment in which their online persona exists (Lessig 2006). It is a place only accessible through the internet that allows for the formation of communities based on common interest rather than geographical location and gives its virtual citizens the ability to change their identities and histories – representing themselves in any way they see fit.
Although Facebook was started in 2004 (Timeline 2011), Lessigs article– written in 2006 makes no mention of representing ones actual real life identity in cyberspace. Focusing more on the dangers of anonymity in cyberspace and the difficulties in legislating an anonymous user base. Despite this, cyberspace can still be explained as an internet mediated virtual world that that relies on the collective contribution of people.
How is it different from the internet and the web?
The internet is the hardware. It is a network “made from computers and cables”(Berners-Lee 1998) that send packets of information to each other.
The Web is the software. It is where information (such as text, movies and music) is stored and uses the internet to send this information around (Berners-Lee 1998). We access the web through web browsers and access the information through web sites.
Cyberspace is the society - the communities and social spaces people form through internet mediated communication and interaction.
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