Avatar as an extended human interface. 2:3

Humans are and will remain an emotion-driven species for a long time. Technology acceleration will not change this reality: humans will hang on to tech to make new things as well as to satisfy ancestral needs.

Each person has his-her own identity. However, the way he-she behaves, dresses, and talks show not the identity but an “interface” to engage others.
The person’s interface is a surface to communicate and interact, while the identity is more profound and maybe different. Humans accept that these two things could be different as we wish, and it’s normal.

So, each person can “wear” an interface that facilitates or obstructs interactions. Sometimes people behave coherently with the entire world; sometimes, their “interface” is crafted to fulfill a specific context’s needs, fit a particular event/moment, satisfy a group of people, or a single person.

Once upon a time, being hired was influenced by what you wore, how you behaved, your physical presence, etc. Today is different. At least we like to think it is. But the reality is: that there are topical moments when each detail matters. For example, what happens these days when we all live in a non-stop video call and are looking for a new job?

Look at these two versions of me.
Based on a single synchronous video frame: which of these two candidates did you prefer?

Well, based on quick qualitative research, 15 over 20 people preferred the candidate on the right. A single answer questionnaire asked WHY they liked one or the other candidate was related to the word TRUST. The one on the right looks more convincing, committed, and trustworthy.

I was not convinced enough, so I ran a second trial, just selecting an interesting background to make the right guy even more extraordinary. Well, nine people over ten have chosen him.
The real me is the guy on the left, so I was shocked.

Disclaimer: I know the question is unfair; the 20 people do not represent any global or any specific audience; the real-world situation is much more complex than just picking a candidate from a single picture etc. etc. It’s me. Can I explore these instinctive behaviors for research purposes? It’s slightly more than a joke. Not science. Thank you.

Now, regardless of the scientific credibility of this poll and the replicability of the result, the point is: Should people be allowed to slightly modify their hairstyle, beard, skin color, eventually glasses, or the background while participating in a hiring process?

Did you say NO? Why not?

Did you want to question how long my haircut or beard is?
Or did you like to argue that changing the skin tone (like when a white guy came back from a sailing weekend) makes the difference?

I don’t think so.

But let me bring you to my point step by step.

During the pandemic -as well as today- we are using backgrounds: tropical islands, bookshelves, gorgeous landscapes, spaceships, cats, and all the variety available on the internet.

The harmless Snapchat filter used during the Zoom call and the new background you chose for Teams, etc., are nothing more than the tip of the iceberg of the natural tendency to shape digital environments to frame and express ourselves.

We could act as a President who — during the speech to the Nation — meticulously arranges the flag, family photos, symbols of something he cares about, books and communicating credibility, build trust, induce empathy, etc.

There is no news here: These elements have always been at play in any TV show.

Anywhere you can place a scenography to frame a performance -actors, anchormen/women, and all media protagonists- generates extended interfaces of themselves. And now it’s time for our 5 minutes of glamor on every close Zoom session.

So, is it everything about being famous and glamorous?

Yes and no. Of course, a cluster of people will be super happy having real-time filters and backgrounds that make them look prettier, but that is not the whole thing.

We will see brands creating universes just to make products’ placement behind the shoulders of famous influencers- or- people creating wonderful houses to show their abilities (or to escape their economic constraints).

When we play with the background and real-time FX in a video call, we provide our interlocutors with new reading levels.

Talking about “reading levels”: What does our background tell us about our counterpart?
A Bookshelves -for example- is telling you are a reader. Somebody that keeps himself updated. An informed person. Luckily an interesting person. Probably an expert. A cat looking at your head from a hole in the ceiling means… I do not know what it means. But you got the point.

So, which is the limit, if any?

Can I profess my values with a background? Can I pick a background conceived to put pressure on my audience? Can I be so provocative to add an interaction that allows my counterpart to modify how I look, selecting my eye browser, beard, or skin color? Can I wear a perfectly animated furry animal head?

Is this background a simple background? Since I can modify it or my counterpart can “read” it, this background becomes the first glimpse of an extended interface of me?
Is this idea the door to a possible and unlimited universe made to represent yourself?

So, again, which is the limit, if any?
My 2 Cents? There aren’t written boundaries yet.
The first actual limitation is just the fact that the background is flat, and your counterparts cannot jump inside.

But IF we allow our counterparts to come closer to us, virtually entering into our background, we can show them a boundless, immersive version of ourselves.

In the future, everybody could feel the need to have a digital extension that facilitates the others who like to interact. A digital interface to the world that extends any physical interface we might have. Something so big and deep that people can get lost in it. Like they were sailing in our minds.

Crazy?
Not at all.

Here is an old future I built 15y ago.
Once upon a time, during SecondLife’s glimpse of hype, I owed a couple of “Islands,” and I acted as “monarch” of the Idearium Island: a place devoted to design exploration, knowledge, and collaboration. The visual style of the Island that I terraformed from scratch was influenced by western movies with a Volcano situated in the center.

Now, it’s evident how — in physical reality — humanity has developed innumerable ways for each to express themselves. Yet, even in a world where we can choose our name, sex, and religion, we are subject to structural limitations of various kinds: starting from physical, social, and economic constraints. On the other hand, we have very few genuinely insurmountable limits on our digital selves. That’s why the home and the Island I have built were important to me.

The visual style of the Island that I terraformed from scratch was influenced by western movies with a Volcano sited in the center.

My home on the Island was western style too, but with large windows to enjoy the outdoor natural landscape. Unfortunately, the view angle from the virtual sofa in my virtual home was pretty boring on my virtual island.

So I flew over, and I added a waterfall.
Yes, building a waterfall in the mountain in front of the window of your home, just the have a nicer view from your sofa, is totally feasible and makes total sense.

Everything you build (or wear) in the online world is nothing more than your extended interface. The interface is the tool with which others can interact with you. I call it an extended interface because not all of the interface is represented by your avatar, but it is widespread throughout the environment.

And the lesson learned here is the following:
Building is not only a creative fact but also a form of sharing: What we build takes place in space, redefines it, and — over time — defines who inhabit that space.

Just as — in the physical world — the choice to wear a particular t-shirt on a given occasion can be an expression of oneself, so is the avatar that one chooses to move in a specific online world. And with it, the skins this avatar wears. Depending on the virtual world, game environment, or immersive social environment you are referring to, carrying a small planet that — reflects your self — is a plausible option.

Ego: Welcome everyone to my world.
Other: Whoa. Do you have your own Planet?
Ego: Yeah. But not larger than your Earth’s moon.
Other: Humility. I like it.
(From Guardian of the Galaxy 2)

I found this scene hilarious when I watched it. I felt so guilty and ignorant of what I have built in SecondLife. Luckily we learn enough to approach new challenges, and instead of being excellent in what we have learned already, we can choose to be brave enough to suck doing new things.

Now, what if all these things might work in AR? mobile/portable personal universe.

Now, what if all these things might work in AR? mobile/portable personal universe. In the next article, I’ll tell you more: Avatar as an extended human interface. 3:3

All three episodes links: (01, 02, 03)

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Ps. Maybe you still like HIM more than ME, but remember: I have created him. :D