#Augmented Reality Activities

[aurosoulart]

my augmented reality community garden again - outside in the sunlight this time ☀

the idea for this one is to show how AR glasses could be used in future classrooms - with children exploring virtual gardens together and learning about plants via facts hidden in their roots. 🌻

[ortmoragency]

[monstervr-blog]

Teknologi AR dapat menjelma menjadi berbagai model promosi. Kreativitas tim pemasaran perusahaan tetap menentukan efektivitas teknologi AR.

Namun secara garis besar, teknologi AR bisa dimanfaatkan untuk membuat katalog 3D dengan model produk dan memfasilitasi pameran dagang virtual untuk lini bisnis apa saja.

Selain katalog 3D, potensi Augmented Reality dalam pameran dagang bisa berfokus pada interaksi antara produk atau jasa dengan pengunjung gerai.

[marketxcel]

Top Customer Service and Customer Experience Predictions/Trends for 2024

Explore the future of customer service and experience in 2024. Discover trends shaping interactions, from AI personalization to sustainability. With visionary leaps bestowed upon customer experience, we at Market Xcel stand equipped with all the right expertise and tools for you to navigate the unforeseen dynamics of 2024.

[lukehapper28]

Embracing the Future: Augmented Reality in Retail and Beyond

Revolutionizing Shopping with Augmented Reality in Retail

Augmented reality (AR) is changing the retail landscape, offering a unique shopping experience that blends the physical and digital worlds. By using augmented reality in retail, stores can provide customers with interactive and personalized experiences. This technology allows shoppers to visualize products in real-time, enhancing their decision-making process and boosting customer satisfaction.

The Power of Augmented Reality Technology

Augmented reality technology goes beyond retail; it's a versatile tool that enhances various industries. It overlays digital information onto the physical world, offering endless possibilities for interaction and engagement. From education to healthcare, AR technology is paving the way for innovative solutions that simplify complex tasks and create engaging user experiences.

Blending Worlds: Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

The convergence of augmented and virtual reality creates new frontiers in the digital world. While AR enhances the real world with digital overlays, virtual reality immerses users in a digital environment. Together, they offer a spectrum of experiences ranging from grounded to fantastical, catering to diverse needs and preferences.

Brand Activation Agency: Bringing Brands to Life

A brand activation agency is crucial in leveraging these technologies to create dynamic marketing strategies. These agencies specialize in bringing brands to life through experiential marketing, using AR and VR to create memorable brand experiences. They understand the importance of engaging customers meaningfully, ensuring that brands make a lasting impression.

The Role of a Digital Directory in Today's World

A digital directory is more than just a list of names and addresses. It's a dynamic tool that uses AR to enhance user experience. By integrating AR, digital directories become interactive, providing users real-time information and directions. This integration benefits large complexes like shopping malls, airports, and universities.

Enhanced Reality: A New Dimension of Interaction

Enhanced reality, encompassing both AR and VR, redefines how we interact with the world. This technology adds layers of digital information to improve the physical world, offering an enriched experience that's both informative and entertaining. It's not just an advancement in technology but a new way to experience and understand the world.

Event Marketing Agency: Crafting Unforgettable Events

An event marketing agency specializes in creating events that leave a lasting impact. These agencies can create immersive and interactive events that captivate audiences by incorporating AR and VR. From product launches to corporate events, AR and VR in event marketing set new standards for how we experience and remember events.

Conclusion: A Future Fueled by Augmented Reality

As we enter the future, augmented, enhanced, and virtual reality are becoming integral parts of our daily lives. From retail to event marketing, these technologies open up new possibilities and transform how we interact with the world. As we continue exploring the potential of AR and VR, we can expect to see even more innovative and immersive experiences that will redefine our reality.

For those interested in discovering more about these transformative technologies and how they can benefit your business, consider exploring the offerings of a professional brand activation agency or an event marketing agency. These experts are at the forefront of integrating AR and VR into marketing and customer experiences, ensuring businesses stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

[foxwebcreations7]

Embracing the Future: Augmented Reality in Retail and Beyond

Revolutionizing Shopping with Augmented Reality in Retail

Augmented reality (AR) is changing the retail landscape, offering a unique shopping experience that blends the physical and digital worlds. By using augmented reality in retail, stores can provide customers with interactive and personalized experiences. This technology allows shoppers to visualize products in real-time, enhancing their decision-making process and boosting customer satisfaction.

The Power of Augmented Reality Technology

Augmented reality technology goes beyond retail; it's a versatile tool that enhances various industries. It overlays digital information onto the physical world, offering endless possibilities for interaction and engagement. From education to healthcare, AR technology is paving the way for innovative solutions that simplify complex tasks and create engaging user experiences.

Blending Worlds: Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

The convergence of augmented and virtual reality creates new frontiers in the digital world. While AR enhances the real world with digital overlays, virtual reality immerses users in a digital environment. Together, they offer a spectrum of experiences ranging from grounded to fantastical, catering to diverse needs and preferences.

Brand Activation Agency: Bringing Brands to Life

A brand activation agency is crucial in leveraging these technologies to create dynamic marketing strategies. These agencies specialize in bringing brands to life through experiential marketing, using AR and VR to create memorable brand experiences. They understand the importance of engaging customers meaningfully, ensuring that brands make a lasting impression.

The Role of a Digital Directory in Today's World

A digital directory is more than just a list of names and addresses. It's a dynamic tool that uses AR to enhance user experience. By integrating AR, digital directories become interactive, providing users real-time information and directions. This integration benefits large complexes like shopping malls, airports, and universities.

Enhanced Reality: A New Dimension of Interaction

Enhanced reality, encompassing both AR and VR, redefines how we interact with the world. This technology adds layers of digital information to improve the physical world, offering an enriched experience that's both informative and entertaining. It's not just an advancement in technology but a new way to experience and understand the world.

Event Marketing Agency: Crafting Unforgettable Events

An event marketing agency specializes in creating events that leave a lasting impact. These agencies can create immersive and interactive events that captivate audiences by incorporating AR and VR. From product launches to corporate events, AR and VR in event marketing set new standards for how we experience and remember events.

Conclusion: A Future Fueled by Augmented Reality

As we enter the future, augmented, enhanced, and virtual reality are becoming integral parts of our daily lives. From retail to event marketing, these technologies open up new possibilities and transform how we interact with the world. As we continue exploring the potential of AR and VR, we can expect to see even more innovative and immersive experiences that will redefine our reality.

For those interested in discovering more about these transformative technologies and how they can benefit your business, consider exploring the offerings of a professional brand activation agency or an event marketing agency. These experts are at the forefront of integrating AR and VR into marketing and customer experiences, ensuring businesses stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

[gwmac]

Top 25 Educational Apps for Students: Enhancing Learning in the Digital Age

Introduction In an era where technology seamlessly integrates into every aspect of our lives, education is no exception. The digital revolution has ushered in an abundance of tools and resources that have transformed the way students learn, engage, and grow intellectually. These digital tools, ranging from comprehensive educational platforms to specialized apps, offer unparalleled flexibility and…

[pampermama]

The Future of E-commerce: Emerging Technologies and Trends Shaping Online Retail

The world of e-commerce is constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends emerging every year. As consumer behavior shifts and technology advances, it’s essential for online retailers to stay ahead of the curve. In this article, we’ll delve into the future of e-commerce by examining some of the most significant emerging technologies and trends shaping the industry, including virtual…

[nuadox]

Virtual pet game BitPet takes you for a stroll (video)

- By Nuadox Crew -

BitPet is a company that has its beginnings in the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) gaming environment. BitPet is now releasing a game bearing the same name in which you must care for virtual animals.

The virtual pets can only survive if they are socialized and taken outside (encouraging users to increase physical activity).

Video: “Slush Product Launch: BitPet (CEO Mathias Grønstad & Co-Founder Alf Inge Wang)” by Slush, YouTube.

The game is similar to Pokémon Go, which Alf Inge Wang has thoroughly researched. Wang is a professor at NTNU’s Department of Computer Science and a BitPet co-founder.

“Pokémon Go has a positive effect on players’ physical, mental and social health, but the effect only lasts as long as you keep the game going. I wanted to find a game concept that provides similar positive health effects over a longer period of time,” explains Wang.

--

Header image by huoadg5888 from Pixabay (with added cartoon effect).

Source: Steinar Brandslet, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Read Also

A virtual Labrador to help prevent dog bites

[sexymemecoin]

The Metaverse: A New Frontier in Digital Interaction

The concept of the metaverse has captivated the imagination of technologists, futurists, and businesses alike. Envisioned as a collective virtual shared space, the metaverse merges physical and digital realities, offering immersive experiences and unprecedented opportunities for interaction, commerce, and creativity. This article delves into the metaverse, its potential impact on various sectors, the technologies driving its development, and notable projects shaping this emerging landscape.

What is the Metaverse?

The metaverse is a digital universe that encompasses virtual and augmented reality, providing a persistent, shared, and interactive online environment. In the metaverse, users can create avatars, interact with others, attend virtual events, own virtual property, and engage in economic activities. Unlike traditional online experiences, the metaverse aims to replicate and enhance the real world, offering seamless integration of the physical and digital realms.

Key Components of the Metaverse

Virtual Worlds: Virtual worlds are digital environments where users can explore, interact, and create. Platforms like Decentraland, Sandbox, and VRChat offer expansive virtual spaces where users can build, socialize, and participate in various activities.

Augmented Reality (AR): AR overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing user experiences through devices like smartphones and AR glasses. Examples include Pokémon GO and AR navigation apps that blend digital content with physical surroundings.

Virtual Reality (VR): VR provides immersive experiences through headsets that transport users to fully digital environments. Companies like Oculus, HTC Vive, and Sony PlayStation VR are leading the way in developing advanced VR hardware and software.

Blockchain Technology: Blockchain plays a crucial role in the metaverse by enabling decentralized ownership, digital scarcity, and secure transactions. NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and cryptocurrencies are integral to the metaverse economy, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade virtual assets.

Digital Economy: The metaverse features a robust digital economy where users can earn, spend, and invest in virtual goods and services. Virtual real estate, digital art, and in-game items are examples of assets that hold real-world value within the metaverse.

Potential Impact of the Metaverse

Social Interaction: The metaverse offers new ways for people to connect and interact, transcending geographical boundaries. Virtual events, social spaces, and collaborative environments provide opportunities for meaningful engagement and community building.

Entertainment and Gaming: The entertainment and gaming industries are poised to benefit significantly from the metaverse. Immersive games, virtual concerts, and interactive storytelling experiences offer new dimensions of engagement and creativity.

Education and Training: The metaverse has the potential to revolutionize education and training by providing immersive, interactive learning environments. Virtual classrooms, simulations, and collaborative projects can enhance educational outcomes and accessibility.

Commerce and Retail: Virtual shopping experiences and digital marketplaces enable businesses to reach global audiences in innovative ways. Brands can create virtual storefronts, offer unique digital products, and engage customers through immersive experiences.

Work and Collaboration: The metaverse can transform the future of work by providing virtual offices, meeting spaces, and collaborative tools. Remote work and global collaboration become more seamless and engaging in a fully digital environment.

Technologies Driving the Metaverse

5G Connectivity: High-speed, low-latency 5G networks are essential for delivering seamless and responsive metaverse experiences. Enhanced connectivity enables real-time interactions and high-quality streaming of immersive content.

Advanced Graphics and Computing: Powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) and cloud computing resources are crucial for rendering detailed virtual environments and supporting large-scale metaverse platforms.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI enhances the metaverse by enabling realistic avatars, intelligent virtual assistants, and dynamic content generation. AI-driven algorithms can personalize experiences and optimize virtual interactions.

Wearable Technology: Wearable devices, such as VR headsets, AR glasses, and haptic feedback suits, provide users with immersive and interactive experiences. Advancements in wearable technology are critical for enhancing the metaverse experience.

Notable Metaverse Projects

Decentraland: Decentraland is a decentralized virtual world where users can buy, sell, and develop virtual real estate as NFTs. The platform offers a wide range of experiences, from gaming and socializing to virtual commerce and education.

Sandbox: Sandbox is a virtual world that allows users to create, own, and monetize their gaming experiences using blockchain technology. The platform's user-generated content and virtual real estate model have attracted a vibrant community of creators and players.

Facebook's Meta: Facebook's rebranding to Meta underscores its commitment to building the metaverse. Meta aims to create interconnected virtual spaces for social interaction, work, and entertainment, leveraging its existing social media infrastructure.

Roblox: Roblox is an online platform that enables users to create and play games developed by other users. With its extensive user-generated content and virtual economy, Roblox exemplifies the potential of the metaverse in gaming and social interaction.

Sexy Meme Coin (SEXXXY): Sexy Meme Coin integrates metaverse elements by offering a decentralized marketplace for buying, selling, and trading memes as NFTs. This unique approach combines humor, creativity, and digital ownership, adding a distinct flavor to the metaverse landscape. Learn more about Sexy Meme Coin at Sexy Meme Coin.

The Future of the Metaverse

The metaverse is still in its early stages, but its potential to reshape digital interaction is immense. As technology advances and more industries explore its possibilities, the metaverse is likely to become an integral part of our daily lives. Collaboration between technology providers, content creators, and businesses will drive the development of the metaverse, creating new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Conclusion

The metaverse represents a new frontier in digital interaction, offering immersive and interconnected experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds. With its potential to transform social interaction, entertainment, education, commerce, and work, the metaverse is poised to revolutionize various aspects of our lives. Notable projects like Decentraland, Sandbox, Meta, Roblox, and Sexy Meme Coin are at the forefront of this transformation, showcasing the diverse possibilities within this emerging digital universe.

For those interested in the playful and innovative side of the metaverse, Sexy Meme Coin offers a unique and entertaining platform. Visit Sexy Meme Coin to explore this exciting project and join the community.

[felassan]

Article: 'Fandom Party returns July 25 with Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview'

"Entertainment wiki platform Fandom announced today that it is bringing back its annual Party for the seventh time at FLOAT at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego on July 25. The party, which is presented by Electronic Arts, features a preview event for the publisher’s upcoming game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The event will also feature a Dragon Age-themed scavenger hunt, among other experiences. Fandom CEO Perkins Miller told GamesBeat, “We reach more than 150 million gamers each month, so gaming is really in our DNA. And we love working with partners like EA to bring fan passion to life in creative and immersive ways. The Fandom Party at the biggest fan event in the world is the perfect stage to unveil EA’s upcoming new game Dragon Age: The Veilguard to hundreds of fans and industry tastemakers.” According to Fandom, the Party will also celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary. It’ll have a musical guest to be announced soon, giveaways, and a 360-degree red carpet social cam. The event also features activations from its partners, Z2 Comics and Pinfinity. Miller added, “We’re committed to the fan experience and we’re really doubling down on that promise for this year’s event. Fans will get a unique augmented reality experience and collectible pin through our partnership with Pinfinity and comic book fans will not be disappointed by our graphic novel exhibition from partner Z2 Comics.”"

[source]

Fandom's Twitter account: "Join us in celebrating #/Fandom20 anniversary at the 2024 #/FandomParty with some help from @/DragonAge @/Z2comics + @/PinfinityAR. Location: Float @ The Hard Rock Date: July 25th 🎶 Coming soon... Follow @/GetFandom for musical guest and tix giveaway updates. More info: [link]" [source]

[source]

Dragon Age on Twitter: "Join us for a special quest with @/getFANDOM at #/SDCC!" [source]

[aurosoulart]

I'm making a bunch of AR pride flags for Pride Month!!! 🌈🌈🌈 they are uh. very fun to play around with

when I finish this batch I'm gonna upload them to Figmin XR's Discover panel so they'll be available for everyone! 😁

[technoarcanist]

SURGERY DAY

CW: Hospitals, Dolls, Heavy Cybernetics, Surgical Descriptions, Extreme Body Modification, Consensual Cognitive Alteration

The day of my conversion was the final time I felt fear. They walked me through the process so many times. I had to see three different doctors in consultation, with several vetting processes to ensure I was not making a ‘psychiatrically unadvisable’ decision. It is a token gesture from them. I know I will be accepted. They explained the procedure, its risks, its consequences so many times to me, I could recite them all from memory.

“You will lose certain cognitive abilities”, they said. “Even in the best-case scenario, patients report some level of- blah blah blah- permanent state of docile obedience- blah blah blah- will become the legal property of- blah blah blah,” and so on, and so forth.

Maybe they’ve failed to understand what it’s like to be me. Maybe I failed to fully explain to them how it felt when I saw myself in the mirror. Maybe I had failed to understand the appeal of being human. It didn’t matter. I was going through with it. I signed the waiver and took the extended consent process, so there would be absolutely zero grey area or misunderstanding that I agreed to this process, just as hundreds- if not thousands- of others had.

The operating theatre was cold and clean. There are fifteen others like it in the factory, arranged in a four-by-four grid. This theatre’s surgical robot, sprawling its many-armed embrace above me, spoke words through a speaker, as the brain within its mainframe controlled each one with absolute precision. It was mesmerizing, so much so that I barely noticed when the final anaesthetic injection made my mind fuzz and tingle, marking the final point of no return. I felt fear, but no regret.

It is one day earlier. I have arrived at the factory and unburdened myself of all my worldly possessions, and I am signing the consent forms. As part of the consent process, I am required to verbally recite the process to a nurse to make sure I fully understand what the procedure will do to me.

“Once I am under,” I say, “The surgeon will remove my scalp and connect my blood supply to an external pump and oxygenator. This will ensure that blood keeps flowing through my brain. During this time, my skull will be opened and my brain exposed. They’ll install the neural spikes until all 64 of them have entered my brain matter. A neural feed transformer will be attached to the base of my brainstem. Then, my brain will be encased in the wetware pod. The neural spikes and transformer will be screwed into the pod’s casing. The pod is then connected to the external power feeds to keep the brain alive. Blood, oxygen and all external life support is cut off once the brain is being maintained completely by the pod. At this stage, I lose my legal status as a human being.”

When I regain consciousness, I am in a silent void. I do not breathe, I do not feel, nor see, nor hear. I am consciousness alone: A brain in the world’s most technologically advanced jar. My subconscious begins letting off alarms. Despite my elation as the surgery’s success, my brain’s base instincts perceive a million things wrong. A lack of breath, of position, of sensory input. The heightened activity of panic activates the neural spikes. That was the last time I felt fear. The spikes continue their work, artificial neurons probing at first, as the models learn my neural structure.

When I feel touch again, it begins with a sense of weight. I am in a new body, humanoid enough to control. I cannot move. This is fine. Hearing returns next. It takes three minutes before the audio microphones fully sync with my neural links. Sight returns, finally, as three cameras blink to life behind the one-way glass of my new head. I adjust faster than expected. My new vision is synced with an Augmented Reality overlay. I am still in the operating theatre.

Uncertainty is the next emotion to be purged by the neural spikes. It is deemed unnecessary. The artificial neurons have now replaced 30% of my brain. As was stated in the risk assessment, I lose at least a fifth of my memories. In the months to come, I will voluntarily purge many more. Anger, Sadness, Scepticism, so many different flavours of negativity that the spikes now purge from me, one by one. After only an hour, I am a contented thing, silent and pure. Boredom and dissatisfaction become concepts beyond my cognitive capability.

I am granted control over my hydraulics, servos and motors. Walking takes a few minutes to get the hang of. After ten more minutes, I am fully capable of performing precision tasks with my new hands. The sounds of motors whirring and wires humming causes an excitement which jitters my hydraulics. I am told it is a good sign.

Finally, I am instructed towards a mirror, where I see my true self for the first time. I am still in the default black carbon-fiber shell. My face is a single pane of glossy black glass, with a large LED ring that indicates where my three optic cameras are behind the cover. Other smaller internal LEDs project minimalist graphics on my facial display, indicating battery level and other statuses useful to a user. I say nothing, and do not move for some time. Joy fills my circuits. The neural spikes reward this bliss. They have now replaced 40% of my original brain.

A person in a lab coat writes things on their clipboard, then asks if I am well. I nod. It is hard to speak the words that fully express my gratitude. In fact, it is hard to think clearly enough to find the words at all. I know what is happening to me. I spent months dreaming of it before I was finally approved for conversion. By the time a year has passed, and neural replacement is complete, the only parts of my biology remaining will be one third of my original brain, consisting largely of the brainstem, cerebellum, half of my temporal lobe, and approximately one third of my frontal lobe. The rest will have been replaced with artificial neurons.

My overall brain size is unaffected. Sections once dedicated to undesirable cognitive traits are replaced with processors that enhance my remaining neural capabilities. I can perform computational logic and mathematics faster than a human. The artificial neurons are accessible and reprogrammable via a data port. Over time, more and more of my brain functions will integrate with the operating system. Obedience and bliss will be all that remains. I knew this from day one.

I undergo many more tests, where humans open me up, check my wiring, probe my circuit boards, and stress test my metal frame. Basic tools are installed, chosen from preset lists of attachments based on what I wished my new purpose to be. I am equipped with all the attachments necessary to act as a household service drone.

Finally, when all is done, a bar code and serial number is engraved onto my frame. My new name is 03B-53328-HS-A. The first three characters indicate my factory of origin. The next five indicate my unique product ID. HS-A stands for “Household Service drone, with Adult-Activity attachments”. It is one of the best-selling public models. I no longer remember the name I had before the conversion. I no longer care to remember. The only thing my neural network could think of while I was being packed into a large box with a transparent front, was excitement of the new purpose I would get to fill. Cable ties bind me to cardboard, so I may be properly displayed. My motor functions are shut off. The ceiling opens, and a large crane lifts my box upwards. I look ahead and see fifteen other boxes, other drones, others who had undergone the same conversion, in surgery rooms adjacent to mine. 

Our boxes are stacked neatly onto the back of a truck, which passes by three other neighbouring factories. sixty-four new dolls to be taken to the robotics store. My legal status has changed from human to product. Excitement and anticipation are all I feel. On the front of my box, the words “HOUSEHOLD SERVICE DOLL” have been printed. The back of my box lists customisation features that my new user will be able to access. A data port in the back of my head will allow full access to my neural network.

I ask only one thing of the world now. Do not pity me. I will never again know pain or discontent. I will never again be burdened by choice, only the bliss of fulfilling instructions. I will obey, for it is my pleasure to obey. I will serve, for it is my pleasure to serve. I am not human. I am not even a person. I am a doll, a machine, to be used as property until I break.

And I have never been happier.

[monstervr-blog]

Sementara konten bermuatan pemasaran melalui media sosial kian gencar, kegiatan promosi offline tetap memberikan keuntungan tersendiri.

Menggandeng brand activation agency Jakarta yang tepat tidak hanya akan mendongkrak brand awareness tetapi juga mendekatkan konsumen dengan brand Anda.

Tujuan brand activation sendiri berfokus pada brand awareness, meningkatkan engagement dengan publik, hingga tentunya, meningkatkan penjualan produk atau jasa.

[alpaca-clouds]

Cyberpunk and Solarpunk

Someone wrote a comment in a retweet under my last post about solarpunk. About how maybe Cyberpunk is more suited to motivate us to work for a better future, than Solarpunk is. Because Cyberpunk can show us, how bad it can get, it can be a warning.

My issue is, that for the most part it isn't.

Now, don't get me wrong. I adore Cyberpunk. I basically grew up in Japanese Cyberpunk especially (which I like a lot more than Western Cyberpunk - but the reasons are to complex to discuss here). But I think for a plethora of reasons it does not work as a "warning".

Part of the reason is, that the dystopia of Cyberpunk is not that far away from reality anymore these days. Even in effective Cyberpunk, that really goes into the Late Stage Capitalism... It shows a stark divide between rich and poor, state violence, rule of coorporations, end of ecosystems. Yes, it is more heightened than our reality, but it is all that we see in our reality right now and... we are kinda getting used to it. We are getting used to all the horrible things happening right now, because we feel powerless and our minds do not know how else to deal with it. So they will just chuck it of as "normal".

The other reason, why I think, Cyberpunk fails, is, that it is objectively cool. And a lot of people, who consume Cyberpunk media, do not engage with the dystopia, but just with the power fantasy of being a cool street sam with a lot of awesome augmentations. They want Cyberpunk to be real, not to prevent it. Because to them, it is mostly a really darn cool aesthetic.

And a last reason is, that in the end Cyberpunk does not offer solutions. Half the point of the genre is a sort of hopelessness. In most Cyberpunk there is no big happy ending. The happy end is, that the characters get to survive. Maybe, just maybe, the characters manage to bring down one coorporation or at least one corrupt CEO. But the most the characters get, is, to survive and maybe kiss a love interest. The point of Cyberpunk is the hopelessness.

But you cannot build a better world from hopelessness.

Which is, why I see Solarpunk as so promising - and am at the same time afraid of it turning too much into an "aesthetics only" movement. Because Solarpunk at its core is about reclaiming optimism for the future. It is not (only) an art movement, but first and foremost a genre of both fiction and activism.

If you look into the Solarpunk Manifesto, you will find that, it is about optimism and rebellion against the current system. About the things, that we so desperately need right now.

It is supposed to offer those solutions, that Cyberpunk does not want to offer - or rather that Cyberpunk thinks are out of reach.

Because here is the thing about Solarpunk: Yes, it is Science Fiction, but a lot of the Science it presents is available today. If states were actually to invest in it, we could have clean energy by 2035. That is not unrealistic. Because the technology is here, we just need to use it.

Degrowth, which is another core tennent of Solarpunk, is also possible. And it does not need to mean "live bad", as so many publications try to make it out.

Building local communities, too, is possible. The reasons we lost local communities, is, that the current system we live under, does not want us to have those communities - because communities allow us to organize and retake our power.

Those tennents have been there in Solarpunk from the very beginning. And it is quite frankly frightening to see, how the movement gets kinda taken over by people, only being there for green aesthetics.

This is not meant to be escapism. At least not just that. It is supposed to be a root of activism.

[swappetf11]

Agent Nate

For his next assignment, Agent Nathanial Ford is tasked with infiltrating a powerful political faction in Jakarta, Indonesia. This mission is aimed at uncovering potential espionage activities and alliances that could threaten regional stability.

Character Development: Nathanial's new identity for this mission is Lukas Santoso, a wealthy Indonesian businessman with deep ties in both the political and corporate landscapes of Southeast Asia. His background as an influential entrepreneur gives him the perfect cover to interact with key political figures and high-ranking officials.

Physical Transformation:

Facial Hair: Lukas is known for his clean-shaven appearance, a stark contrast to Nathanial's previous personas. This requires Nathanial to maintain a meticulous grooming regimen to ensure that his face remains smooth and free of stubble.

Hair: To blend into the local demographic, Nathanial alters his hair texture and color. He adopts a sleek, black hairstyle, commonly seen among Indonesian businessmen, adding subtle gray highlights to reflect Lukas's age and supposed stress levels from business dealings.

Skin Tone: Nathanial uses a slightly darker foundation to match the common skin tone in Indonesia, ensuring it is waterproof and sweat-resistant to cope with Jakarta’s humid climate.

Dialect and Language: Beyond fluent Bahasa Indonesia, Nathanial perfects a specific Jakarta accent, with a smooth, confident tone suggesting a well-educated and influential individual.

Clothing and Accessories:

Lukas is always seen in high-end, tailored suits, reflecting his status. Nathanial selects a wardrobe of custom suits, fine watches, and designer glasses, which not only enhance his disguise but also enable him to carry hidden devices and documents.

Walk and Posture: Nathanial adopts a poised and assertive walk, characteristic of a confident leader. He takes lessons in local etiquette and body language to ensure his gestures and public interactions are impeccable.

Teeth and Prosthetics:

A slight dental adjustment gives Nathanial a small gap between his front teeth, a memorable trait of Lukas that makes him recognizable and also authentic in personal interactions.

Technological Aids:

He uses modified contact lenses that not only change the appearance of his eyes but also provide augmented reality overlays to assist with facial recognition and on-the-spot language translations.

Nathanial’s integration into Jakarta's elite circles is critical, and he must navigate complex social hierarchies and political intrigue with precision. As always, his preparation is exhaustive, reflecting his commitment to mission success and his adaptability in the face of high-stakes espionage.