The avatar is something that has become a normal part of life in the 21st century. We use an avatar generator on many of the websites we visit. But every time we create an avatar we enter a new body and we can adopt a completely new personality. We also interact with other people’s avatars. So, with the avatar becoming such an important part of our lives, should we really start transitioning to these virtual bodies so quickly?
Why avatars are awesome
1. Brand
Avatars are a great way to introduce yourself to people. You can post your skills and promote yourself on the internet. It prevents people from conflicting with your personality and allows you to set the tone for whatever you do. For example, if you were writing about computer technology, you could include something geeky in your avatar to match the audience.
2. Personality
Your avatar is an extension of your personality. If you are a writer, you can add a pen or a book to your avatar. Many sites now offer an avatar generator that can accommodate these additions.
3. Appeal
Avatars attract the audience. They make socializing much less intimidating and encourage people to mingle. If a part of your avatar has something that matches your interests, you can enter with confidence. You don’t have to worry about potentially discovering that you have nothing in common with the person in question.
Why avatars aren’t worth it
1. Usability
When you create an avatar, you almost always wonder if it’s worth it. If you’re talking to people you already know, it doesn’t make much sense to have an avatar. Also, we are now revealing more and more details about ourselves. There is rarely a reason to have a small figure that reveals our interests when we can simply write them down. Another factor is the way the internet and life move. What was relevant in the morning is not necessarily relevant at night. Things change in our lives. We use multiple brands. We have different moods. An avatar just can’t keep up with these things.
2. Trust issues
If you hide behind an avatar, your real face is not there. If they can’t see you, why should they trust you? From what they know, the middle-aged office worker they think they are talking to could turn out to be an old man sitting in a retirement home. There is no way to find out the truth if someone is using an avatar generator.
3. Futures markets
The urge to ‘create an avatar’ is still a fad like any other. It does not have a permanent position in the world of the Internet, such as email and instant messaging services. Eventually the avatar will disappear. Customers and clients demand more from the people they talk to. They want to know that they are talking to a real person, and the only way to do that is by appearing in person through a webcam. With changing attitudes and desires, the future of the avatar as a generalized entity is not good.
