Google Xistence - a new approach to identity

It's a public secret: The world of social networks is about constructing identity. Let's be honest: Every one of us has probably tweeted about the cool club we've been to, or what airport we're currently stuck at, or that we're reading poems in some cool foreign language, to make our lives appear intriguing and cosmopolitan. Social networks are as much about constructing identities as anything else. They have enabled a construcivist approach to that elusive beast, identity, and Google Xistence is merely taking this a step further.

Inside rumours that shed a bit more light on how Google Xistence works have reported that there will be a host of preset identities to mix and match - start with a "Renaissance Man" baseline, then throw in some "World Citizen" and "Political Activist", and Xistence will generate status updates, photos, locations and more that fit this synthetic persona.

But who wants to be stuck with a static identity? This is why the folks over at Google Labs also provide the option of changing your persona whenever you feel that it's time for a change in your life. The algorithms they use for that will phase out the old persona and phase in the new one over a safe period of time, ensuring a smooth, believable transition.


Becoming who you want to be has never been so easy, and I sure as hell want an invite. Because, you know, being glamorous all by myself is just a little too tedious for me at times.

Update: Google Xistence was an art project of a friend, and this post was written in support of this project. Also for Lulz.

Comments

  1. OllyJanuary 26, 2010 at 5:19 PM

    Its a scam luv.

    Phishing site.

    Check their twitter account.. 100 ish followers? google? i think not!

    Plus look how sketchy the graphics are on the site.. the big G would never allow that!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KwisatzJanuary 26, 2010 at 5:26 PM

    "Social networks are as much about constructing identities as anything else. They have enabled a construcivist approach to that elusive beast, identity, and Google Xistence is merely taking this a step further."

    I must say, I very much like your constructivist approach to Xistence and social networks generally. I'm on the edge of publishing a short blogpost on how twitter, using a constructivist approach, can be a very useful tool for scholars.

    ReplyDelete
  3. lisaJanuary 26, 2010 at 6:05 PM

    @Olly: Oh really? Try a twitter search - there are people using Xistence already.

    ReplyDelete

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