Avatars: The Me I Always Wanted

In the new technological age, virtual reality has become a very popular part of our culture, and with these virtual realities have come virtual lives, using avatars as their representatives. Avatars are a means of expressing oneself through a different outlet. In a virtual world, a person can become whoever they want to be, no matter how accurate it may be. They are not known as the basement dweller without a job, but instead, a level 50 elf with mystical powers and lightning bolts. The word "self-portrait" is a fitting term associated with avatars because they are the representatives they see in themselves. Maybe they see someone more attractive or more heroic. A lot of people's avatars are extremely ridiculous, however, this can still act as an appropriate representation because it reveals the goofiness of the user. Avatars allow for users to do things they could only imagine doing. This dream world is what has made virtual reality so popular, especially for Jason Rowe. His physical limitations have prevented him from enjoying most of the things boys his age enjoy doing, however, through virtual reality, he has become just like everyone else in his world, a desired, yet inaccurate portrayal of themselves.