I, Avatar ~ the culture and consequences of having a second life

With so much hype about Avatar the Movie, (which I have to say I thought was one of the worst films I have ever seen, although I have to admit to a moment of excited recognition when the main character "logs in" ...but I digress) I thought I'd post the on-line descripton of I, Avatar, a book recommended to me some time ago by my wonderful friend and fellow Avatar extraordinare, Trex Renfold *swoon*.

Most of the books written about Second Life concentrate on the technology and practilicaties of SL and this is very useful but for those of us who are interested in the psychological aspects of Second Life, this book is a great expansion of the SL experience. What are we all doing out there in virtual reality? What is really going on? What is this personality, this character, I am creating? Why does it feel so meaningful?

"An Avatar is an interative social representation of a user ~ a self portrait."

"What is an Avatar? Why are there nearly a billion of them and who is using them? Do avatars imapct our real lives, or are they just video game conceits? Is an avatar an inspired rendering of its creator's inner self. or is it just one amongst millions of annonymous vechiles clogging the online freeways? Can we use our avatars to really connect with people. or do they just isolate us? And as we become more like our avatars do they become more like us?

"Shared experiences create a sense of reality. Psychologically, you are your Avatar."

In I, Avatar, Mark Stephens Meadows answers some of these questions but more imortantly, he raises many others in his exploration of avatars and the fascinating possibilties they hold. His examination of avatars, through the lens of sociology, psychology, politics, history and art will change they way you look at even a simple online profile and revolutionize the idea of avatars as part of our lives, whether first or second."

"Avatars are dorky, Avatars are divine. Avatars can give us an alternative, a break from daily hardships and a space to practice for another try."