Personal+Inspiration+Narrative


 * CCT333 – Personal Inspiration Narrative **

I looked up and down the section, seeking for the perfect pet. Did I want a dog or a cat, maybe even a dinosaur? This was going to be my first pet, and it had to be perfect. Finally I chose a white spotted puppy and went to the check out. I cuddled him close to my chest, just to make sure he felt comfortable during the car ride home. Once we got home, I took a pair of scissors to cut him open. I ripped out the piece of plastic from his side to retrieve him, I took a thumbtack and poked him in the back to begin his new life with me, my “Eureka” moment – wait, what were you thinking? I’m talking about my white spotted Tamagotchi.

I grew up in a busy household so my parents were always against caring for real pets. After years of begging for a real dog, my mother finally gave in and opted for a Tamagotchi. I obtained my first virtual pet at the age of 10. He began as a rounded blob and eventually grew into a puppy, which I named Max. During a regular school day, Max hung out in my backpack until recess and lunch when all my friends took their pets out to play. Not only did Max require regular play time to keep his happiness meter up, he also required grooming, feeding and loving. Max lived a fulfilling life, a lifespan longer than all of my friends’ virtual pets.

I believe the main reason for buying my first Tamagotchi was the fact that everyone had one. And when I finally received my own, I felt a new sense of belonging. For the children who would sit by themselves during recess, they found their connection with their classmates who played four-squares and lava-tag. Conversation flowed freely amongst us, reporting to each other the process of our pet’s growth.

Eight years later, my friend and I walked into a Wal-Mart running errands when we saw the newest generation of Tamagotchis with infrared technologies. Out of impulse and curiosity, we bought this Tamagotchi for half the price it once was. My virtual pet now had the ability to transfer to another pet’s home to play and interact.

The Tamagotchi became the “Microworld”, which Sherry Turkle mentioned in //The Falling for Science//. The Tamagotchi was the construction of a cyber world in relation to reality. Whenever I had the opportunity, I would take out Max to make sure he was healthy, happy and full. To me, Max became a part of my reality and satisfied my desire for a real pet.

I have since then became a content owner of two real miniature schnoodles. I now reflect and wonder; can virtual reality really stimulate the emotions of a real bond of a beloved pet and a pet owner? The sociological aspect of the virtual pet now makes me question humanity’s position in society. Can technology one day replace face-to-face real life interaction?

Today, with the access of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, the world can be reconnected, and yet relationships can also be replaced. Do we still need to meet in real life for a cup of coffee, or can we just communicate online? The newest form of virtual pets has manifested itself into iPhone and Facebook applications, with the same concept of a virtual pet society but attached with many more options. We can now spoil each other’s virtual pets with a click of a button, and take snap shots of the fun our pets have together.

And as the pets grew, it became a rewarding process. The virtual life of the pet was based on the interaction between the owner and the Tamagotchi. Although the life of the pet can be temporarily paused for a period of time, the user is expected to resume their accountability for their pet, stimulating a real pet.