The Cyber-Wanderer.

The NYC Flaneur.

The Cyber - Wanderer.

The flaneur of the internet, an anonymous presence. The cyberspace wanderer who does not need to interact with anyone in this virtual space, but explores the map of with an endless maze of opening doors, endless information and endless websites. Through the use of websites such as google, the flaneur may remain unseen and un-approached in the online world. This allows them to wander the online map freely and relatively unchallenged. The flaneur is he who hides in the crowds, and is desperate to become part of the landscape; virtual or not.  In the article, "The death if theCyberflaneur," Morozov writes about how the online world is being more and more heavily monitored. With location tags and face recognition, the cyber flaneur must remain vigilant and, only when he chooses, expose himself to the world.

The cyber flaneur is someone who uses cyber space as a shield from every day life. The flaneur is an observer and is able to leave just as fast as he has arrived. The cyber flaneur may be anywhere in the world, lurking on the other side of the ocean without so much as a trace. There are many different kinds of maps, and the flaneur steps into these. (Kuttainen, 2016) Through a computer screen, a phone, or a tablet, the cyber flaneur is the master of his own direction. (Prouty, 2009) Through the use of a connected world the modern day flaneur is capable of stepping inside the screen, into the map and experiencing another side of the world through a computer screen which is becoming more and more like real life.

The cyber flaneur is a searcher and an observer who uses online spaces like Google to roam the world. The cyber flaneur may be transported instantaneously to places around the world through the computer screen where he may continue his anonymous journey through the twists and turns which make up the online world. (Barnes, 1997) Although being a cyber flaneur is also a challenge.

References:

NYC Flaneur. [image]. (2014) Retrieved from http://i.vimeocdn.com/video/466864175_1280x720.jpg

Barnes, G. (1997). Retrieved from http://www.raynbird.com/essays/Passage_Flaneur.html

Prouty, R. (2009). A Turtle on a Leash. One-Way Street. Retrieved from http://www.onewaystreet.typepad.com/one_way_street/2009/10/a-turtle-on-a-leash.html

Morozov, E. (2012). The Death of the Cyberflaneur. The New York Times. Retrieved from  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/opinion/sunday/the-death-of-the-cyberflaneur.html?_r=0

Kuttainen, V. (2016). BA1002: Our space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, lecture 4. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_2417221_1&course_id=_76323_1&framesetWrapped=true