The Magic of Avatars: Methamorphosis, Animism and Syncreticm in Experiences of and Reflections on Second Life and Virtual Reality

Abstract

This paper describes magical aspects of experiencing virtual reality in general and Second Life in particular, pointing to the phenomena typical of magic such as metamorphosis, animism and syncretism. Moreover, the paper analyzes connections between magic on the one hand and technology on the other, as well as the presence of magic in the contemporary Western culture.