Other then an extension of our humanity we can declare the internet as an extension of our society and physical environment. To truly see this impact we need to take a trip to a society that has fully harmonised every aspect of their life with Internet and technology. Seoul has the fastest Internet connection in the world that extends to their underground system, deeming this South Korean city the most connected in the world.

Virtual Athletes

Much like how Marshal McLuhans concept of visual media offering a point of view generated a cultural awareness surrounding arcades, the same effect is now experienced around online gaming. As Anne Balsamo previously identified, new technologies that have replaced arcade machines have developed new rituals and knowledge surrounding computer games and in the process the gaming culture too was reworked (Balsamo, 2011). Even though this culture has adapted to a form which accommodates to our current needs, the core principles originally established in arcades at the 80’s still apply to our perception. Currently Seoul is home to the E-sports legend Lim Yo Han. He is to date the most successful player of StarCraft. Incredibly the enormous engagement permitted by online gaming has generated a mass audience big enough for StarCraft players to be culturally and socially recognised as skilled and valued individuals for their expertise in gaming.


2013 Star Craft Championship Finals.