Ethnicity & Avatars

Why would you expect SL to be any different than RL? For the most part the races self segregate in RL so why wouldn't they in SL as well? People hang out with those who share their common interests, goals, experiences, and values.

I love his black male photorealistic skins, but the female ones still look sort of orange and a little too smooth for me. *shrug* Maybe I'm just picky. Naughty Zoe has a very nice black skin for ladies, and RaC's Kate is my default skin color. It's pretty dang dark (see my pic to the left) and it gets compliments all the time.

Latino seems to be the most common RL non-Caucasian ethnicity I've encountered in-world. No, I'm not referring to darkly tanned Caucasians .

To me, it seems like people are naturally moving towards a middle range, not too pale, not too dark.

The extreme darks/lights look more fake, unless really done well.
The mid-ranges don't require such finess to still look human.

I guess I'm not very original then-I'm very pale skinned in RL and in SL because I wanted an idealised me....I do experiment with my alts, but not with Alyx....even in a sari, I'm still pale skinned (in RL, I own quite a few saris and wear them, so it's not just something I fantasise about! )

But I know avis in SL of loads of different ethnicities, and I never felt there was a lack of variety. But maybe I just go to the wrong places....

Might as well beat the lock...

My in world family is predominately made of of African-American avatars, and I've been spending tons of time in Metabirds and other SL Japan areas, so I definitely see a different SL than you.

Can't explain it, it jes is what it is.

Mari

I beg to differ with you on this Elmore. I think it's more like simply asking a question. Looking at the animosity with which you responded, I have to ask myself where the defensiveness is coming from. This question is valid enough for several journalists to have mentioned it, and for one in particular to don an African skin for the express purpose of
noting the differences in treatment within the community and even with her own established friends, of which she found many.

Additionally, what sources are you using to support your demographical statements? Considering the fact that nobody even seems to be able to get straight how many people are even using SL, what their genders are, and what their ages are, isn't it unwise of you to imply insight into the RL race of the SL community and further, to imply that the racial makeup can be determined in any way by the need for modern computing equipment?



I loathe political correctness as well, but nothing in Michael's post makes me feel like he is approaching this from that direction.



Expressing awareness of the fact that one's words may be misinterpreted does not necessarily guarantee that their aims with their words were hurtful. I understand what you are saying here, sort of like prefacing the use of a racial slur with "I'm not a racist". But I don't think this is in that family..



Again, why can't a question just be a question?

Second Life IS different--if this were not true, than the entire 'anonymity' topics would be moot. One of the reasons there isn't a direct mirror of social discrimination, bias, and cultural and economic separation is because you are hidden behind your avatar.

You choose to let out as much knowledge as you wish. No one knows what ethnicity you are in real life. No one knows what your annual household income is. No one knows your educational background. Because you’re an anonymous user, you [should] only discriminated against by your actions…all other discrimination (towards your AV shape and color is speculative discrimination—perhaps a new entity. Don’t get me wrong, discrimination in ANY aspect is unacceptable, however, speculative discrimination only stems from immaturity and ignorance…wait…so does real world discrimination.

Where was I going with this?

Oh right ya…

People with common interests, goals, and values hang out together, yes…but overall I’d say black, white, or brown…this will always be the case…in SL it becomes more about the PERSON…not the color. The AVs color means nothing—it’s most likely not the real ethnicity of the ‘driver’ anyhow.

Poor Elmore, always striving so hard to be the ~Voice of Reason and Enlightenment~, yet generally coming across as pompous and somewhat pedantic...

In any case, I'm very, very Caucasian (German/English/Irish) and, while I do wish there were a bit more diversity across the grid, I choose to stay with what I know. The contrast of my coloring (very light skin and eyes with darker hair) is one of my favorite things about my appearance, so I brought it into SL in a slightly exaggerated manner. Vanity, thy name is...er, human.

I also have that background - German/English/Irish (and Dutch/French) . .. eyes in RL that are not a set color though mostly a light shade - look different in different settings (different lighting, different clothing in same lighting . .. etc) and darker hair; skin is light but not very light.

I have a smidge of Cherokee too, although it probably resides in my left kneecap. lol

Nah, it's actually a bit more than that...like 1/64 maybe.

Wow! And Kascha makes three. I'm German/Dutch (and dad says there's a Scot or two in there somewhere) with very light skin, blue/green(ish) eyes just this side of 'pale', and very dark hair. Tried to get all of that into my avie and mostly succeeded. the skin/shape I wear makes me look like I might also have an Asian relative mixed in somewhere, so that I guess is my 'feature enhancement' - hehe

We're rare, but we exist. (Only problem is, because my avatar is slight and only about 2m tall, these towering women keep trying to *adopt* me. I mean, why all these female shapes inspired by the Russian Olympic Weightlifting Team?)I'm pretty sure I know the one you mean, and it's very nice--but *so* realistic that it could have stepped right out of , so to me, it would feel a little strange to look so exactly like some real person who's not me. (That has nothing to do with it being Asian, of course, just my own hang-up about skins that are *really* photo-realistic.)That's what I find interesting about this thread. For all the fuss about RL whites with whiter-than-thou avatars, I'm much more interested in the incidence of, say, RL asians with white avatars, and vice-versa.

Ive noticed most people in Second Life have their outer eye corners tilting up, where in Real Life this is not nearly as often the case.

It gives everybody the look they might have some ethnic mix - or maybe Anime in them.

Just because we "hide" behind an AV, it doesn't change who the person is behind the keyboard. Like it or not, in large part the color of the person behind the keyboard defines their culture.

Most separation in today's world is self imposed. Look at college campuses. You have different racial groups forming bands based on their race. They sit at different tables in the cafeteria, have their own graduations, demand segregated dorms, and form segregated student groups. It isn't discrimination, it is just a fact of human nature that we are drawn to those who are like us.

What is your basis for saying that the race of the AV is not the same as the race of the person behind the keyboard in most cases?

I did have a friend from India who had a "Swedish Bikini Team" AV when she first started. But after a couple of weeks she changed to black hair and dark skin. It did seem to suit her better, she seemed more comfortable in her "own" skin than she did playing someone else.

Put me down for Irish/German Slovakian. Penquin, Pie, and IBTL.

Yes of course that skin is extremely photo real. Which was the kinds of skin i was talking about hehe.

Yes a lot of people dont want to look that much like a photo. The less photoreal though, the less ehtnic distinctions are present anyway and its just skin tone then.

I have to agree people of whatever background they are shouldnt have to apologize for making an av the same background - lol - that would be silly.


I know a 100% Korean background man who uses a very photoreal, very white avatar. I asked him why but he changed the subject.

I know someone who is Half Cuacasian / Half Black IRL who uses one of Chips Black Male skins - It looks very good. He is darker in SL than in real life. That one was a case of a LOT of comaprision shopping. If its hard to find a non caucasian skin, its even harder to find a mixed one.

Do you want sex now?

What you say about the PERSON behind the AV is exactly what I already said. Right? We agree there...

And about RL college campuses...we are not talking about real world separation...that is obvious--we are discussing ethnic separation in SL--and whether that deals with the AVs skin color, or the ethnicity of the user behind the AV.

Is that a grilled cheese sandwich in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

LMAO! Perfect!

Figtree's crabs, actually.

Oh my . .. don't tell me . .. Figtree has crabs?

Mood killer.