Don't lie, we all have a particular vision of what we should look like. Whether it be taller, shorter, slimmer or more curvy, we want it! Since the beginning of social media, I believe that we have all been given the advantage to alter the way that we want people to perceive the way we are.
"Crop this photo"
"Cut out my behind"
"Show a little more breast" (IF you have them to work with).
But what this really tells me is that we are quite reliant on fixating our social image and truly avoiding what reality is.
"Crop this photo"
"Cut out my behind"
"Show a little more breast" (IF you have them to work with).
But what this really tells me is that we are quite reliant on fixating our social image and truly avoiding what reality is.
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| (http://www.roflcat.com/facebook-cat) |
In saying so, what is reality itself? Yes, it is defined as the things that are existing in the 'real world', but in these current days, what is the 'real world'!? (My gosh, so many questions in such a short time). So much of what we invest in life happens to be online. It goes from being a socialite on Facebook or Twitter, running our errands through BPAY or shopping online (which I happy yet regretfully did just a moment ago, I NEED MY PAY TO GO THROUGH!).
Because of this, I do believe that we have mixed together the 'real' and 'cyber' life to a certain point where it has genuinely redefined what we classify as reality. However, it does seem that some people in the world do take cyberspace to the next level, where they spend almost all of their time online.
This kind of world does unfortunately have the impression that it attracts a certain stereotype of what some say are outcasts. These alleged outcast then create their perfect self where they can create a new version of themselves to the extreme, with outrageous hair, barely there outfits and a body even models dream to have. One way that these people are expressing their creativity and, well, their lives is through a particular 3D virtual world called 'Second Life'.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLA4A56B2AB33F7723&feature=player_embedded&v=r74hkI-JcHY)
'Second Life' is basically self titled in its definition of what this "world" is about. It's a second life where people (like I've stated before) create themselves the way they want to be noticed. It is quite an amazing concept in theory though, where you can communicate with real life people across the world and live a life that many of us dream to be real.
Even in practice, 'Second Life' offers a multitude of opportunities for people to explore the world that really is first of its kind. Organisations around the world have create their own islands in 'Second Life', for example, ABC made 'ABC Island', Dell created their own fort in 'Second Life' and I can't even continue the list of how many organisations have invested so much of their time and money into this world to be a part of a virtual revolution.
Even 'American Apparel' took advantage of 'Second Life' and had stores in which they sold their products online where people would purchase clothes for their avatars, and had the chance to actually shop for themselves in real life, all in the one virtual store. Just because these large organisations take part in this doesn't necessarily mean that they are successful in it. Although they were grateful to be able to be a part of what some say is a phenomenon, 'ABC' closed its island down in September 2012, not enough users (or interest) it seems.
Because of this, I do believe that we have mixed together the 'real' and 'cyber' life to a certain point where it has genuinely redefined what we classify as reality. However, it does seem that some people in the world do take cyberspace to the next level, where they spend almost all of their time online.
This kind of world does unfortunately have the impression that it attracts a certain stereotype of what some say are outcasts. These alleged outcast then create their perfect self where they can create a new version of themselves to the extreme, with outrageous hair, barely there outfits and a body even models dream to have. One way that these people are expressing their creativity and, well, their lives is through a particular 3D virtual world called 'Second Life'.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLA4A56B2AB33F7723&feature=player_embedded&v=r74hkI-JcHY)
'Second Life' is basically self titled in its definition of what this "world" is about. It's a second life where people (like I've stated before) create themselves the way they want to be noticed. It is quite an amazing concept in theory though, where you can communicate with real life people across the world and live a life that many of us dream to be real.
Even in practice, 'Second Life' offers a multitude of opportunities for people to explore the world that really is first of its kind. Organisations around the world have create their own islands in 'Second Life', for example, ABC made 'ABC Island', Dell created their own fort in 'Second Life' and I can't even continue the list of how many organisations have invested so much of their time and money into this world to be a part of a virtual revolution.
Even 'American Apparel' took advantage of 'Second Life' and had stores in which they sold their products online where people would purchase clothes for their avatars, and had the chance to actually shop for themselves in real life, all in the one virtual store. Just because these large organisations take part in this doesn't necessarily mean that they are successful in it. Although they were grateful to be able to be a part of what some say is a phenomenon, 'ABC' closed its island down in September 2012, not enough users (or interest) it seems.
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| (http://www.3pointd.com/20060615/american-apparel-to-open-in-second-life/) |
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| (http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2009/mar/10/video-games-theatre) |
What we cannot forget is that 'Second Life' is not a game. It isn't like 'The Sims', where you play as God, create characters and tell them what to do in their life and how they'll do it. In essence, 'Second Life' is a virtual reality! People legitimately live another life and do their everyday things and more, online. This does, on the other hand, make me feel that all of these virtual worlds and simulations can get to our heads faster than you can say YOLO.
I mean, are we honestly willing to spend our lives on the computer, missing out the real life opportunities that can brighten our future and give a new meaning to what life is about?
What are your thoughts?
Are we hiding away behind our computers to avoid society?
Or are we simply experimenting the possibilities that 'Second Life' and the virtual world in general can give us?
All in all, there are pros and cons in anything that we go through in life, but I do believe that everything, like a diet, should be done in moderation and we mustn't get lost in between the many worlds we have.
I mean, are we honestly willing to spend our lives on the computer, missing out the real life opportunities that can brighten our future and give a new meaning to what life is about?
What are your thoughts?
Are we hiding away behind our computers to avoid society?
Or are we simply experimenting the possibilities that 'Second Life' and the virtual world in general can give us?
All in all, there are pros and cons in anything that we go through in life, but I do believe that everything, like a diet, should be done in moderation and we mustn't get lost in between the many worlds we have.
This was so much fun to read! I totally agree that virtual worlds can get to our heads faster than we can say YOLO.
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