Men who have sex with other men, or MSMs are a group of people that have been largely affected by the internet and online sexual experiences, such as online dating. In a study with 36 MSMs, it was found that most MSMs saw changes, both on and offline, such as sexual diversification (a quantitative and qualitative shift in sexual partners), acceptance of their sexuality, and different communication patterns (more quality interactions).
On the flip side, some MSMs had negative reactions, such as increased suspicion and addiction. My artifact relates to this increase in suspicion, where the uncertainty and frequent lies of online interactions causes this negative impact.
This relates to the concepts of interactivity, through computer facillitated the human-human interactions the MSMs had, identity, which the MSMs were enabled to explore further online, addiction, through the addictive nature of the secret world of online interactions, and the rationalization of love, through the modern idea of online love and the allowance for more potential partners and more experiences.
This study is highly relevant because it explores the concept of online sexual experiences, which are becoming increasingly more and more common. It is also relevant because the findings could be related to a heterosexual, and thus wider, audience, except for the further acceptance of the MSMs sexuality.