Flying in Second Life is one of the very few magical elements within a virtual world that, according to some users, has become almost too realistic. In the words of Randall B. Smith, animated environments are physical-world metaphors that spring from the tension between literalism and magic. Actions that violate this metaphor (like human flight) and provide “enhanced functionality” are considered magical.
Flying in Second Life had practical purposes when it was first invented: to get to things quicker, to cut corners... I, however, am trapped by the sensuality and efficiency of this technology. When we lift our avatar bodies from the ground we detach ourselves from “reality”; we self-objectify to either analyze the territory better, travel faster or simply disappear. This, for me, has the potential to go beyond merely dodging obstacles.
Human beings have dreamt about flying for thousands of years. I will present a brief historical review of our archaic desire to fly (from Icarus and Leonardo Da Vinci to the ancient Chinese) to contextualize some autoethnographic observations and in-world research and images.
T
No comments:
Post a Comment