Essay 11

 Be sure to address all parts of the topic question as most have multiple parts. A verifiable current event (less than 4 years old) relevant to at least one of the topics you respond to is a fundamental component of your essay as well.  You cannot use information from the text book or any book/article by the author of the text book as a current event.  Make sure that your reference has a date of publication.  For the essay you are required to find and include at least one reference and reference citation to a current event less than 4 years old (a reference with no date (n.d.) is not acceptable) in answer to at least one question.  This requires a reference citation in the text of your answer and a reference at the end of the question to which the reference applies.  You must include some information obtained from the reference in your answer.  The references must be found on the internet and you must include a URL in your reference so that the reference can be verified. The citation should be in APA format. It should be 3 pages. 

1. Compare Brey’s arguments regarding misrepresentation and bias in virtual environments, especially in virtual reality (VR) applications, to Buchanan’s argument in chapter 10 concerning gender bias in the representation (or lack of it) in video games. (Brey’s arguments can be found in the 4th edition of the textbook on page 349.  Go to Doc Sharing to download the 4th edition in PDF format.)  How are their arguments similar? How are they different? Defend your answer. Please elaborate (beyond a yes or no answer) and provide your “theoretical” rationale in support of your responses. (knowledge)
2. Describe some pros and cons of online communities. What does Mitch Parsell mean when he says that online communities with an “extremely narrow focus” contribute to social polarization?  Assess his arguments for that claim.  Do you agree with Parsell?  On balance, have online communities enhanced or threatened community life?  Explain.  Please elaborate (beyond a yes or no answer) and provide your “theoretical” rationale in support of your responses. (comprehension)