In sociology, we talk about four main different types of identity. 1) Felt. This is someone’s inner-most thoughts about his or herself — a sort of personal decision of which path you will take. 2) Claimed. This is what someone outwardly expresses as who they are — just as may be represented in one’s art. 3) Attributed. This is how others would identify someone — just as we often do over the net. 4) Perception of Others’ Attributions. Whether or not we are correct, we all think about how others view us — once again, this easily happens on the net each time we post, comment, create, or interact in any another way.

Image compiled using Text2Pic app (free). I took the background image at the Knockdown Center in Queens, NY. It is a picture of a sound art installation by Swiss sound artist Zimoun. I overlayed a “digital-looking” filter to represent the internet, and the words evoke inner-choice and outward decision of which way to walk through the installation.