The Creation and Inheritance of Digital Afterlives: You Only Live Twice

This book explores how social networking platforms enable the creation of digital afterlives, affecting the bereaved. It introduces the theory of 'the fear of second loss' and proposes a Digital Do Not Reanimate (DDNR) order and voluntary code of conduct to address this issue.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 20 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the fascinating realm of social networking platforms, shedding light on their inadvertent role in enabling and fostering the creation of digital afterlives. Through extensive research and qualitative data collected from three distinct groups of participants—service providers, digital creators, and digital inheritors—Debra J. Bassett offers a comprehensive exploration of this phenomenon.

For the bereaved, the loss of data, lack of control, or the phenomenon of digital obsolescence can evoke a secondary sense of loss, often referred to as the "fear of second loss." This book introduces a groundbreaking theory called "the fear of second loss," which challenges and disrupts traditional grief theories. It proposes ways in which these theories can be expanded to embrace the complexities of digital inheritance.

This interdisciplinary work appeals to a wide range of scholars, including sociologists, cyber psychologists, philosophers, death scholars, and grief counselors. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale for the burgeoning "intentional Digital Afterlife Industry" (DAI), highlighting their pursuit of monetizing the deceased. Bassett's book sheds valuable light on the profound implications of uncontrollable timed posthumous messages and the development of thanabots, raising important questions about the impact they can have on the bereaved.

In addition, Bassett presents a thought-provoking concept of a Digital Do Not Reanimate (DDNR) order and a voluntary code of conduct as potential additions to the DAI. These measures aim to protect the rights and well-being of the deceased while also fostering ethical practices in the digital afterlife industry.

While we may not possess eternal life in the digital societies of the West, the book prompts us to contemplate a deeper question: who truly desires immortality? This thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of technology, grief, and mortality offers valuable insights and raises important ethical considerations for our increasingly digital world.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030916831
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022