My Tiny Life

by Julian Dibbell

Book Overview

Being a true account of the infamous Mr. Bungle and of the author's journey, in consequence thereof, to the heart of a half-real world called LambdaMoo.From In Cold Blood to Midnight in the Garden of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805036261
• ISBN13: 9780805036268
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Holt McDougal
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A Classic that's more Relevant and Fascinating Today than Ever

I enjoyed reading this classic meditation on online life when it was published. But, like some other readers, thought its focus on a "virtual rape" gave that act more power than it deserved. Reading tinylife again today, I take that back. Dibbell's exploration of social issues surrounding interactive virtual worlds are still on the cutting edge of sociology. Only now they have emerged as frontrunning concerns of society as a whole. With the explosion of Web 2.0 and social websites gaining millions of members every day, once arcane concerns of virtual harrassment and violence are now a huge issue. Dibbell asks and answers the relevant questions far better than anyone else out there. Time to crack open a tiny life again for insights into our brave new world.

"Laurel" speaks

I was the character that Dibbell called "Laurel" in his book. I was "there" though the entire story he describes, reading what he read in real time, although I never "spoke" with him (on-line or off). His book is remarkably accurate, although he does not have all the facts straight of the people behind the LambdaMOO characters. He deserves a lot of credit -- he got it closer than anyone else possibly could have.

Excellent Study of a Fascinating Topic

My Tiny Life largely succeeds in its presentation of the evolution of a "Tiny" society, one that -- if you believe Dibbell's writing -- struggles through serious birthing pains as its population swells and it must contend with the issues of relationships, sex, gender (and gender's possible non-relevance online), ethics, law and self-governance. Not to mention how much LambdaMOO can absorb of your "real world" life.Dibbell's voyeurism and exhibitionism becomes somewhat annoying and distracting from time to time, although I do see the value of showing how his MOO life affects his relationship with his significant other. This is part of any journalistic writing in which the author is also participant, I suppose.If, like Evandra in a previous review, you were there when these events unfolded, it may not be of interest or of great enough depth to you -- but the insider's attitude that the book is without merit simply doesn't ring true and smacks of elitism.Overall -- extremely thought-provoking and very enjoyable.

A Frank, Important Work

Mr. Dibell arrouses our curiosities in the realm of virtual ethics with his gripping, nitty-gritty narrative of cyber life and passion. Dibell's cyber experiences at "Moo" call for a re-evaluation of human morals in the coming age. This work will certainly stand as a timeless classic, captivating the thoughts of gereations to come, especially as our world becomes evermore wired.

A thoughtful, provocative look at today and tomorrow...

Fascinating and boldly honest. The narrative raises provocative questions that resonate on many levels, and harmonize with the author's own struggle to come to terms with his subject matter. Dibbell displays a grasp of his subject matter that is both deft and utterly compelling.