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So, this idea of avatarism seems to completely ignore the fact that access to avatars (or technologies that allow "photonic override") will be gatekept by profi
by AlexandrB 5y ago
So, this idea of avatarism seems to completely ignore the fact that access to avatars (or technologies that allow "photonic override") will be gatekept by profit-maximizing entities like Apple or Facebook. To me it sounds like just another form of conspicuous consumption where the rich will show off their opulence by buying artisanal avatars (on the blockchain, no doubt) and lording them over the plebs. To see this in action today look at any gacha game, where access to the best characters requires spending tons of money. For an entity like Facebook, this probably sounds great - a new revenue stream! But some kind of new "freedom" it ain't, at least not for the majority of the world's population.
- NortySpock 5y agoWouldn't there be Creative Commons licenced, remixable avatars?
- AlexandrB 5y agoNone of this stuff exists, so it's impossible to predict how it will go. But the last 20 years has seen a closing and re-centralization of the internet and computing in general. Concepts like right-to-repair, first sale, and ownership itself are under attack on various fronts. I'm pessimistic that these trends will generally reverse. Given this, why wouldn't an avatar shop be a tightly-controlled and monetized affair? Meta (or whoever) can always offer the excuse that they can't open up access because they need to curate the content to prevent sexually explicit, or otherwise offensive avatars.
- gfodor 5y agoPhotonic override will shepherd in the final computing platform - so its more important than ever we make sure it is free and open, and not laugh it off and ignore it as Facebook walks in and just owns the whole thing.
- gfodor 5y agoNo, avatarism has nothing to do with Facebook. I helped start the Mozilla Hubs project to help ensure Facebook doesn’t own this.