Virtual Cultures: NPR Story on Avatars/"Alter Ego" Book

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NPR Story on Avatars/"Alter Ego" Book

There's an interesting story on NPR about avatars and the book and exhibition Alter Egos: Avatars and Their Creators.

I'm interviewed briefly as part of this, but that has nothing to do with the fact that it's a very well-done in-depth story. :) One of the more nuanced and thoughtful press pieces I've heard on the subject.

Posted by gamegrrrl on August 01, 2007 at 07:54 PM in Virtual Cultures in the News | Permalink

Comments

Yes, I heard it too. And must say that the Alter Ego book is quite interesting. I thought it would be just a nice topical coffee table book, but it is way more compelling than I expected. The layout and form is quite unique. A precious work of art. Each set of pages a jewel. There is a photo of each user on one page and image of their avatar on the facing page. But it's the couple of paragraphs in each of the users own words that wouldn't let me put the book down. Just amazing the various types of relationships these people have with their avatars. My favorite quote: "I used to be a satanic priest, but now I have a girlfriend."

Posted by: greuel | August 23, 2007 at 08:37 PM

lol. Is that Christian Greuel? If so, hi Chris (for those who don't know him, a pioneering VR designer and artist from the late "twentieth century"). One thing I love about the book is that it really dispels the stereotypes very elegantly and efficiently. There are only two pictures of each subject, and very little text. But the selection of what details are chosen are quite profound. It also really brings out the essential humanity of avatar play: where people are coming from and what aspects of themselves they are exploring.

For a touch of something very similar, I also recommend the film Avatars Offline http://www.avatarsoffline.com/, which as been screened at a number of game conferences and Universities. It is not as elegant and mininal as Alter Ego, but it takes a very similar approach.

Posted by: gamegrrrl | August 25, 2007 at 11:22 AM