On Being a “Voice” Columnist

 by Archie

Having been writing for the Voice of There for almost 2 years (in September), the view from my computer keyboard has gradually morphed, as There, and its members have evolved.  

There are of course plenty of facets of There that will remain as powerful mainstays for me as a writer. Let’s take a look. 

The endless travel and exploration is a big one. The escapism into this deep virtual world, which becomes like a another life into itself, although not really a second life, it’s still part of my own life experience, mind you. (  ; p …Evil snort! lol!) 

There is always a continuous flow of cool and interesting new members to There. And, it’s a lot of fun to see many old-timers return. Perhaps some of them have found the grass in There to be as green or maybe just a bit greener than in some other …a-hem… other worlds.   

There grows and changes. Sometimes the changes are social, and affect the way we must behave in There. Other times, and not all that long ago, new islands were formed and other changes to the landscape of There, occurred. Interesting avies form great groups and neighborhoods, and people pull together make amazing things happen. Someone will build something fascinating, and we will all run to go see it. The surprises in this community never stop. 

To just think, in all of human history, the kind of experience we can obtain in There, is unique and never before seen. Yes, the battle games out in cyberspace rage on, but perhaps their struggles are not in vain. Perhaps those conflicts have been the gateway to our Therian world. A world of positive constructs.  - A world where you can create the things you would, if the whole planet were finally at peace. At in There, at last, it is. 

With all this… 

With all this as the foundation for experience, the possibilities in creative journalism are endless. The Voice of There also adapts and flexes with the stresses and strains of being this kind of “fan site”. And I suppose it could be called that, but it feels like a real “publication” to me. Even though some staff members are in a completely “way out” league of “awesomeness”, (Yes, Blue Nose - I mean you!) Geea’s leadership is incomparable, and I feel the love from all the staff members, Rose Blossom, Parker, Fazz, Dream Weaver, and all-a you guys- and hey! a special “Welcome aboard!” to theenterprise172 our newest addition, a for-real There Philippines reporter!! 

The Voice of There a place where albeit, despite the ups and downs of any human/avatar endeavor, has laid the groundwork in another history making way. This news publication for a virtual world, is reporting on the works, stories, and opinions of a very large community of real people in a still new form of environment. Truly, There and all of its cause and effect relationships, are a groundbreaking experiment in human behavior modalities, this community, and all the spin-off member-sites as well. No measure exists to compare how it “should be”, we, all members of this amazing community, are the measure that will be used in the future. 

Lest we not forget our uniqueness! -  The Voice of There is your voice!  

Please, keep those cards and letters (emails) coming in!  

Best,

Archie