Avatar photoSteven Savage

Virtual Stars Part 1: An Analysis of Viability

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(I've noticed talks about the Vocaloid Concerts echoing around the internet, and wanted to address the idea behind virtual stars in more detail.  Seriously, when you see a post on it at an econoblog, you know it's time to comment.)

If you pay attention to the news, you'll see occasional discussion about Virtual Stars, completely manufactured media people.  The ones I see talked about are mostly in Japan, such as Kyoko Date back in the late 90's, or the prominent Vocaloid phenomena today.  These creations ventures often seem to be a cultural curiosity (especially outside of Japan), an oddity, or something out of a bad anime or science fiction film.  I think there's something useful in the virtual idol/virtual star concept that I want to explore as worthy of actual consideration as a viable commercial exercise

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Free Stuff And Our Legacy

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Lots of free stuff out there, isn't there?

Free books, free games, free video.  Games that are free unless you want premium content.  It seems that a lot of our media – at least that we can get electronically – has an awful lot of free stuff.

It's also good free stuff.  I've been continually impressed with what I can find for free online or via DLC.

Being who I am I like to speculate on why we got so much free stuff available because . . . well this is me, culture, economics, and geekiness.  It's sort of what I do.  It's my thing.  Plus I'm curious.

The reason we have so much free stuff?  It's a legacy of previous work.

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The Fake You And The Real You

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I'm guessing there's a very good chance that, in your career you're not quite "yourself."  You've got a lot of things you do to get through the day, a lot you put up with, a lot you do or don't do that you dislike.  My guess is you do these things to protect the "real you."

You know what I'm talking about.  You're not taking that initiative at work because you don't want to make waves.  You're not relocating to that place you want because it takes too long to plan.  You're not taking that class you want to take because you want to be in the "right frame of mind."  You don't speak your mind to people because people won't get the real you.

Know what?  You've got a Fake You defending the Real You.  You're probably busy protecting the Real You right now so some day that Real You can get out and do its things.  Except you've got it backwards.

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