"The Spectrum of Virtuality" by Devin Proctor draws on years of digital ethnographic research to examine how internet spaces shape identity, social relationships, and understandings of what it means to be human.
In “The Spectrum of Virtuality: Space, Presence, and the Non-Human” in the Internet, Devin Proctor, Elon assistant professor of anthropology, argues for understanding the internet not simply as a tool or technology, but as a social space that people inhabit in different ways.
He introduces the concept of a 鈥渟pectrum of virtuality鈥 to explain how individuals experience varying degrees of digital presence across online environments, from video calls and social media platforms to anonymous online communities. The book also explores the role of non-human actors, including algorithms, bots, and artificial intelligence systems, in shaping online interactions. Proctor contends that digital realities are co-produced through relationships between human users and these technological agents, creating what he describes as a 鈥渇ield of internet presence.鈥
Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with the Otherkin community, a group whose members identify internally as non-human and often socialize online, the book challenges conventional assumptions about virtual life, embodiment, and identity. Through this research, Proctor examines how digital environments influence selfhood, communication, and social belonging.
Published as part of Bloomsbury鈥檚 Studies in New Media series, “The Spectrum of Virtuality” contributes to ongoing scholarly conversations about digital culture, online communities, and the evolving relationship between people and technology.
“The Spectrum of Virtuality: Space, Presence, and the Non-Human in the Internet” was published on July 9, 2026, by Bloomsbury Academic.