Digital Utopianism
The users in U hide their identities yet their identities are unique and idiosyncratic to them.
Although U promises that you can become a new person online, the avatar that U automatically generates captures the essence of a person. Even if users use U to escape themselves, their essence is immutable.
After Suzuzu sings as Belle for the first time with the help of her genius friend, Hiroka, she becomes an online sensation. Her likeness is remixed in various musical styles and outfits. Her song becomes part of a karaoke sim.
Many wonder about her identity. Who is she? Is she a celebrity? Suzuzu though is a normal girl unused to this kind of attention.
Branding is not important to her. Nor does she interact with her many fans. She is overwhelmed. She does not mean to portray herself as an elusive diva. Primarily U to Suzuzu is a means to an end; to work through personal problems, to find her voice again.
Questions
- How can we keep our feelings and identity safe while being true to ourselves?
- How can the online world positively influence the real world?
- How does U preserve identity?