New World Notes asks the question "The avatar that engages me most on a human level is..." and presents ten head-shots.

Yes, I'm well aware that humans are hardwired to look for faces, but when one speaks of avatars, does a head-shot suffice? Do we design our avatars from only the shoulders up to catch attention? Is there any point to what our avatars have in their hands, on their backs, on their feet?

No, no, no Tynan I'm not talking about T&A here, although one must admit that those kinds of things can be a factor as well... Blaze's Little Black Dress exposes a hint of ass-crack for a reason, I suppose, and Sylfie doesn't just build shoes as a way of engaging the walk overrides - they're form and function.

When I'm out and about, I get a lot of comments about the wind-up key in my back, just as I'd think people would comment on flexible wings or a permanent dripping knife in someone's back.

Is a key a human factor? Or is an alien factor like a furry?

Avatar height is a factor, I think. Extraordinary or otherworldly height differentials make for an eye-attractor. Short avatars are inherently less threatening than larger ones, right?

(I'd also say that being engaged on a human level is discriminatory to Martians like Razzap, who probably will comment MARS NEEDS PRIMS at least six times before I get reunited with my friends Jack and Coke Zero.)

Jane2's shape is another I'd think is one that stands from a crowd... it's a natural pose and appearance, as opposed to the parade of hyper-perfection that one encounters in SL. (Same with Diva's zaftig style)

And I cannot help but think that Dedric's cyber-boots are as much a signature piece as his blue hair.

Maybe I'm just hypersensitive to this whole thing.

I'll go lie down for a bit, sip some mint-hibiscus tea and... and...

Oh. Right.

I'm supposed to be working.

Heh.