Studies have shown, though, that in virtual environments an avatar’s appearance can actually change a person’s sense of self, and often for the good. Given attractive avatars, people tend to form more intimate relationships, have a wider circle of friends and a much more active social life – exactly as things seem to work in real life. In a virtual world, though, you can be as beautiful and as overtly sexual in your appearance as you like. Virtual living opens up profound new forms of self-expression, and the rewards are many for those brave souls who are willing to step out of their comfort zone and live out their inner fantasies.
Couch and rug by Isolahara Catteneo of mudshake.
Party on, Juliette (if only in my dreams). This is one of those odd features of the mojozone; the disparity (sometimes outright conflict) between the needs and desires of the human component and that of the pixel person who is in there frontin’ and maxin’ for them. Many a time I would have loved to rave on through the virtual night, but the demands of the physical universe were just too important to be denied. Then again, it really isn’t a whole lot different from what every run-of-the-mill party animal has to face up to at some point in their (real) lives. Ahh, well, I can only imagine what goes on in there while I sleep just outside the window…. and it’s prolly better that way.
Yes, that is a new header up there. Couldn’t resist after that photo appeared in the last strip. Gotta keep movin’ forward.
Yes, it is true that I’ve been around the metaverse for a few years now, and though it hasn’t lost its magic, it is different from those early days in many ways, just as I am. In those days, for instance, I was a gypsy, spending most of my time wandering the face of the land in search of adventure, and rarely failing to find it. I eventually settled down, set up my studio, and began my work as a virtual artist. I’ve been a busy boy. Some would say, a little too busy.
Author’s Note: Stories from those early days can be found in the archives of my blog site, Chrome Never Sleeps. The artwork can be seen at my web gallery.