Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in English Composition

Department

English

First Advisor

Hyon, Sunny

Second Advisor

Rhodes, Jacqueline

Third Advisor

Carlson, David

Abstract

This study discusses the pursuit of understanding how the discursive construction of the internet affects individuals, identities, and democracy. it also discusses the internet within theoretical positions on its history, the public sphere, and revolutionary politics. Western governments have created legislation regulating the internet for democratic purposes, and this study examines how different and often contrasting views of democracy have shaped the way those of us connected to the internet can speak about it. The Anonymous identity, articulates one such contrast. Anonymous constructs an alternative, Internet identity-one stemming from the identity of the hacker. Policies targeted at stopping hackers and Anonymous determines what all of us can speak, write, and perform on the internet.

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