I have noticed how each generation seems to assume that previous generations were less capable and knowledgeable than theirs. However, as I get older, I realise that although we live in a curious world, it is a world in which surprisingly little is new.
Take for example the Avatar, which younger users of the internet imagine to be innovative and original. This involves creating an image, or Avatar in cyber space to represent them. In this electronic cyber world the characters interact with each other and ‘play’ out lives of their own choice. The constraints associated with ‘real life’ are non-existent, and so many people find the cyber world more pleasurable than the real one.
In most cases these cyber characters seem to be modelled on men and women blessed with more than usual beauty, strength, wealth, power and immortality and, in most cases, these cyber space Avatars are more successful and fulfilled than are their creators in the real world.
But, as I suggested earlier, as with most ideas in life, the notion of an Avatar is not new! To a Hindu, the word Avatar describes the descent of a Deity into a visible reality, and in a similar way, Christians use the word Incarnation to describe how God became human to demonstrate fulfilment in this ‘real’ life. Despite this however, many people prefer to escape into the cyber world as an Avatar, rather than reaching fulfilment as a human. Knowing this, and doubting there is much to learn from cyber space I have however, sometimes wondered if I ought to get into this Avatar world.
In cyber space my wife would, of course, remain at the age of thirty five which she has been now for some years. In addition, I would find boundless stores of energy to sharpen my wit and increase my knowledge. Our sheep would have perfect feet, never need to be wormed and would require no assistance at lambing. The varoea mite would vanish from our bee colonies, as would scaly leg mite from chickens and TB from cattle. In this Avatar world, I would retain my youthful 32’ waist and my flowing blonde locks would never need the ministrations of ‘Just for Men’.
Some readers may regard all this as wishful thinking, but even silly Blonde Avatars may need a morale boost now and then. Talking of Blondes however, reminds me of the story of the Red head and the Blonde who were watching the Six-O-Clock news in which a poor fellow threatened to jump from the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The Redhead said, “I bet you a tenner that he’ll do it.” The Blonde disagreed and took the bet. A few moments later he jumped.
After a stunned and silent reflection the Redhead said, “Look I’m terribly sorry but I can’t take your tenner because I knew he was going to jump as I saw it on the Five-O-Clock News. The Blonde replied, “Oh I saw it on the news as well, but I didn’t think he’d jump a second time.”
View from the Pew 