Potatoes, perfume, & the modern avatar
Posted on: November 18, 2007
Torley awaits the Avatar Identity Summit transcripts to be posted…
I've come to the conclusion that avatars are like potatoes because you can prepare them so many ways. Even if someone doesn't consider themselves artistic, through their avatar, they will have expressed themselves in a way that can be photographed and shared, just like any other visual art.
Robbie Dingo recently created a delightful video, "MASK" (not to be confused with the 80s TV show of which I am so fond, hah!) and he invited Second Life Residents to contribute photographs of their avatars in it. I'm in it (twice, actually, because of my work and play accounts) and there's a variety of faces which I hope will look primitive in hindsight, but magical of this moment, a stepping stone into tomorrow's avatars.
An avatar's resemblance (or lack of) to their "puppeteer" often gets shoddily groused about in the media. Avatars are primarily limited to the senses of sight & sound, and not much thought has been given to how your avatar's body odor would smell compared to your fleshy, behind-the-computer self. If you are a male and your avatar is female, what scents would she wear? That, to me, keeps me up at night sometimes — one reason being because I am no means a perfume connoisseur (my wife is getting me introduced to some nice fragrances, tho), and another reason being because, consistent with my philosophy of Second Life extending and supplementing your First Life, so shall it be with added attributes that you don't possess yet… but you will.
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November 19th, 2007 at 2:47 AM PST
I was in that panel, Torley. Your thoughts were so interesting, and, personally, i was grateful to hear them, specially after listening some of the other participants in the panel talk about some things like "branding" and "registered trademark" of avatars. Maybe is because i feel my avatar as a extension of myself, the concept of my avatar as merchandise scared me.
November 19th, 2007 at 8:46 AM PST
[...] Torley Linden and Karl Herber also posted about it. I'm waiting for the transcriptions of the panels here, in the Orange Island blog. [...]
November 19th, 2007 at 8:54 AM PST
Hello Greeny-Pinky fans!
The much-awaited transcript from Identity Summit is now available for all eyes to see! The links are on the Orange island blog main page (http://www.orange-island.com/).
For those among you who were there, thanks a lot for coming, we really appreciate you presence and feedback - posted and yet to come! For those of you who got caught in the tp traffic, we tried to sum up the themes addressed so you can pick and choose what you want to read.
Torley, thanks again for coming, it was as refreshing and enjoyable to have you among us as… you know what
All the best, people, and feel free to IM with questions and comments!
- Fandango
November 19th, 2007 at 9:27 AM PST
Oh, surely you'd know by now what scent I'd prefer xD
November 25th, 2007 at 10:06 AM PST
you are so right Torley. This is a SECOND LIFE! Everybody must wear what he wants to be even it's not real it's the game. Or what do we do here only playing a game?
we have the chance to be someone else, to have a "second life".
So a man with a woman avatar why not?
it's the freedom of the concept.We must never forget that at the risk to play at a game only…
November 25th, 2007 at 12:53 PM PST
Thanks each and all for the comments!
@samlowry: Yes! I'm glad you "get it" too! Why imprison the self when we can be free to extend who we are, swim into the oceans beyond these new electronic shores? I'd rather make more than less.
@Fandango: Nice chatting with you, and thanks for the heads-up! I had a great time at Orange Island, and this was certainly helped by your friendly greeting upon my arrival.
@Raul: I saw you there, thanx for coming!