Alter Egos: Avatars and Their Creators by Julian Dibbell is an interesting piece of writing. It made me put more thought into what is really behind video games and the people who play them. Many people, including myself, are really quick to criticize video games because they are thought to be no good. However, not many people really think about what's behind the games such as one where the player creates an avatar. Jason Rowe was a character I read about from Texas. Just from the picture of him in real life you can tell he has many physical disabilities. He is in a wheel chair, has some sort of breathing apparatus, and is very young. He created his avatar with a name of "Rurouni Kenshin" and he is dressed in a full metal body suit. He is a big and strong looking avatar. 

       When Jason Rowe is playing his video game the only thing other people see on the other side of the screen is his avatar. That makes him look like a big, strong, and mobile man when in reality he is not. Avatars are a way players can live a different life virtually and do things they are not able to do in real life. I think it is special that Jason Rowe found some way to feel powerful in his life, even if it is through a video game. He could make his avatar look like whatever he wanted the rest of the world to see him as. The other opponents won't even see what he looks like in real life. There is always something more behind the reason people do things and this is a perfect example of how a little boy can live an easier life virtually. 

Jason Rowe                       Rurouni Kenshin