I, Avatar: The Culture and Consequences of Having a Second Life

by Mark Stephen Meadows

What is an avatar? Why are there nearly a billion of them, and who is using them? Do avatars impact 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 among millions of anonymous vehicles 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? In I, Avata r, Mark Stephen Meadows answers some of these questions, but more importantly, he raises hundreds of others in his exploration of avatars and the fascinating possibilities they hold. His examination of  avatars through the lenses of sociology, psychology, politics, history, and art, he will change the way you look at even a simple online profile and revolutionize the idea of avatars as part of our lives, whether first or second.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Maren Wong]

read for class
Fascinating shit!
The world of y2k video games

[Vincent Truman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting, if spotty, recounting of the author's adventures in Second Life. What I found most interesting - because of its absence - was how easily an addiction to a virtual world can be discounted by the user and his/her family. Because it is not as "flashy" as heroin or cocaine, most loved ones don't have a point of reference - "it's only a videogame; how addictive could it be?" - and thus stand back and become an unwitting co-author in the user's devolution. Granted, I experienced this first-hand when my marriage dissolved due (primarily but not exclusively) to my spouse's 10- and 12-hour marathon sessions in the game. So I would have liked a bit less "culture" and a bit more "consequences" addressed.

[Amy Broadway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought provoking with a surprising conclusion. I appreciated his balanced perspective and personal experience to let the reader make some conclusions of their own.

[CrankyCosmic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of a man's virtual journey

I read this for my master's and found it to be quite a surprise. Unlike other books, this was personal and engaging. It was more than a collection of statistics or dry recollections of other research. This was real. It made me take a closer look at my life as an avatar. I highly recommend this book for everyone who ponders about the increasing use of avatars and virtual living.

[Dan Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting first person account and analysis of living in a virtual world, both positive and negative consequences explored along with historical and sociological contexts. Artwork also adds to the book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In view of my current research this book was important. The consequences are very true to my own experience and that of my social network both in the real and virtual worlds.

[Nurture Waratah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun to read but ultimately a waste of time because the author takes an entire book to write what could have been written in just three or four pages.