No Matter Where You Go...

…There You Are!

So many applicable cliches assert themselves in our virtual reality - much as they do in reality. Sure, there exists more freedom for expression and yes, there is less inhibition behind our glamorized avatars. Still, there is no escaping yourself. Thus where you go, there you are.

The line that distiguishes SL from RL is very definite for some, for others its a fuzzy, blurry faintly colored thing that is barely perceptible. I’ve met many avatars that have a foot in both camps and just like RL, I know some that are living the extreme of one or the other - black or white. I personally don’t see anyone style as being better than the other — just different.

I’ve talked to a few avatars that define their virtual existence by such extremes and the resounding theme was that they were doing so as a form of disassociating their RL personna from their SL personna to more easily avoid some of the same complications that occur in RL. One of my online friends once told me that “…the shades of gray leave too much room for missinterpretation…” which can create a great deal interpersonal conflict, distrust and hurt feelings. In the other camp, I’ve also had another online friend argue the cause for the shades of gray or as she put it “…the vibrancy between the two extremes…allowing the true content of a virtual existence to really be a second life… afterall, we aren’t paperdolls playing dress up…” (are we?)

I feel that our natural, distinct personalities can not be avoided when choosing a social SL existence and we cannot avoid those of others either. In RL, balking the differences can create a great deal of friction and in SL its not all that different. One of the truly wonderful differences I’ve seen between SL and RL, is that in SL *acceptance* seems to be in greater abundance. However, those who gravitate to a more social existence in SL can come across the same, or at least the virtual semblance of the same obstacles that are often faced in RL — cliques, rejection, untrustworthy friendships, dysfunctional relationships and some generally petty discouraging behaviors. As in RL, this of course is not always the case and I don’t believe it can be considered the rule, but it does exist and can be incredibly discouraging.

But… I digress.

Diversity in SL, the supportive communities, the creative exploration of our new frontier, the endless pushing of our virtual envelope and the freedom we are all granted in our new world are the basic threads that bind us as a virtual society. In SL, as in RL - it takes all kinds to give us a rounder and/or more profound virtual existence. Still my idealistic nature can’t help but wonder where the happy balance between black, white and grey might be. (If you know — send me a postcard and I’ll be sure to jot your name down for the first ever Virtual Nobel Peace Prize!)

Perhaps my idealism gets the better of me - after all, bad people are bad, manipulative people are manipulative and no matter where you go, you can be certain to find that you can’t out run your own true nature. Me? I am happy that despite my countless hours wandering alone from event to event, activity to activity, venue to venue — I seem to always be in good company, but I’ll admit it’s still nice to find goodness in the company of others.


… want to see this post with pictures? http://missmarlow.blogspot.com/