View source for Cybernaut

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A Cybernaut is an astronaut of [[Cyberspace]].

A Cybernaut is generally someone who is at ease within [[Online Game]] communities, [[Virtual World]]s such as [[Second Life]], and other fantasy or role-playing worlds, without necessarily being highly familiar with the history and technologies of the web.

The online [[Identity]] of the Cybernaut will often be ambiguous or multiple. The Cybernaut's [[Username]] is seldom their real name, and is usually a pseudonym or "virtual identity" which hides their [[Real Life]] identity. This façade of anonymity or [[Pseudonymity]] provides a feeling of liberty which easily crosses over into irresponsible behavior such as [[Flame War]]s or [[Griefing]].

==Related Terms==
The term Cybernaut was formed from the earlier word [[Internaut]], by replacing the first syllables with those of the word [[Cybernetics]]. The [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-internaut.htm wisegeek] website makes a subtle distinction between the two terms, which is primarily generational:
*An [[Internaut]] is someone who took a hand in building the Internet or witnessed its growth, and who is highly familiar with the history of the web and its technologies
*A Cybernaut is someone who grew up with the Internet, and who inhabits [[Cyberspace]] as a native
Internauts and Cybernauts both possess experience and knowledge of the Internet or Cyberspace that goes far beyond that of the more casual [[User]]. 

A [[Netizen]] is a "net citizen." The term [[Netizen]] puts the emphasis more on [[Netiquette]] and responsible web behaviour.

In Wikipedia, the term "Cybernaut" redirects to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_%28computing%29 User (computing)].

==See Also==
*[[Internaut]]
*[[Cybernetics]]
*[[Cyberspace]]
*[[Cyberpunk]]
*[[Netizen]]

==External Links==
*Wisegeek article on the difference between Cybernaut and Internaut: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-internaut.htm

[[Category:Cyberculture]]