“LOLA 1” extract from chapter 1

Should I or shouldn’t I?

Jack had been wrestling with the question for months.

Everyone else does it, why am I nervous? Yes, I know why: because I’m me!

Jack smiled, a wry grin on his face.

We’re doing it anyway and the start date is 25th April 2029. Counting the days.

Jack lived alone in his condo, nestled amidst the bustling cityscape, where the echoes of life reverberated against the walls. It was his sanctuary, a space that embraced solitude and provided a refuge from the cacophony of the outside world. Within those walls, Jack found solace and respite, but he longed for something more—a connection that transcended the boundaries of the physical realm.

As he immersed himself in the familiar digital age, Jack’s excitement grew within him. Technology had evolved to an unprecedented stage, opening doors to possibilities once unimaginable. His deepest desires for fulfilment, which had long remained unfulfilled, now stood on the precipice of becoming a tangible reality.

The metaverse beckoned to him—that vast, immersive virtual realm where the boundaries of the physical world blurred and one’s consciousness could transcend the constraints of the body. It was a realm where virtual beings, lifelike and brimming with personality, awaited companionship and connection.

Jack envisioned a future where he could forge profound relationships in the metaverse, engaging with virtual individuals who possessed their own thoughts, emotions, and dreams. The promise of deep connections, devoid of physical limitations, tantalized his imagination. The metaverse became his digital canvas, where he could paint a vibrant tapestry of companionship and intimacy.

But amidst his excitement, Jack wrestled with existential questions. Could a virtual relationship truly provide the same depth and authenticity as a physical one? Yes, it had worked for some of his friends and apparently for many others but would these virtual beings truly understand him, his hopes and his fears? Could he find solace and genuine connection in a realm seemingly built on bits and pixels?

With each passing day, technology advanced, inching closer to a metaverse that mirrored reality with astonishing fidelity. Jack’s anticipation grew, mingled with a touch of trepidation. He wondered about the implications and the potential consequences of venturing into a realm where the line between what is real and what is virtual blurred into obscurity.

Jack sat in his office, gazing at the digital landscape unfolding before him. He pondered the essence of human connection and the nature of his own desires. Was the metaverse the answer he sought, a means to satiate his longing for companionship and fulfilment? Or would it merely be a digital facade, leaving him even more isolated and disconnected from the tangible world?

As Jack delved deeper into the possibilities, he realized that cyberspace represented both a canvas for exploration and a potential Pandora’s box. Its allure was irresistible, promising him the chance to experience a deep relationship unburdened by physical limitations. But it also posed profound questions about identity, authenticity and the consequences of a reality blurring the boundaries between the real and the virtual.

Ultimately, Jack’s journey into the metaverse would be one of self- discovery, as he sought to navigate the intricate web of virtual connections and reconcile his longing for companionship with the complexities of human existence. The immediate future held the promise of a deep relationship with a virtual person, but it also carried the weight of unforeseen consequences and challenges.

In his condo, surrounded by technology and possibility, Jack was poised on the precipice of a new era. Excitement coursed through his veins as he contemplated the boundless potential of cyberspace and the prospect of fulfilling his deepest desires. The future, with all its uncertainties and revelations, awaited him, and he would embark on this digital odyssey with hope, curiosity and most importantly, an open heart.

As he thanked divinity for the advancements of technology, Jack whispered a silent prayer, that the journey ahead would be one of profound connection, growth, and, above all, a realization of his deepest yearnings in the digital realm.

Jack pondered the word “relationship” and what it really meant to him now. Well for one, it meant being free and not having to compromise himself to his detriment. Why should he? He knew only too well what he wanted in a partner. More importantly, he knew exactly what he didn’t want. Drama. Negativity. Having to explain himself. Putting on a certain image so as to not offend his significant other or any other person he was involved with, real or virtual. It was inimical to life and he wanted no part of it.

Now he let his mind gently explore what it would mean to actually experience the relationship he craved. He knew it was fantasy and that he would not have long to wait to know what he was really getting himself into. And he was definitely entering into something he felt he may regret later, perhaps forever.

As his thoughts flowed with the currents of his consciousness, Jack found himself immersed in a sense of liberation that came from shedding the confines of a fixed identity. He embraced the freedom that came with being unburdened by societal labels and expectations. No longer constrained by the limitations of a predetermined persona, Jack relished in the fluidity of his being.

However, alongside this newfound liberation, he couldn’t help but lament the fact that it had taken society a significant portion of his physical existence to acknowledge and accept the notion that identity is a social construct. It seemed ironic that a truth so fundamental had been overlooked or resisted for so long. The realization that one’s identity is shaped by the interplay of social influences, cultural norms, and personal experiences was now widely recognized, but the journey to this understanding had been a long and arduous one.

Jack contemplated the impact of this realization on his own life. The recognition that his identity was not fixed or predetermined allowed him to explore the vast spectrum of his being, to embrace the multifaceted nature of his existence. He no longer felt confined to a singular role or predefined set of expectations. Instead, he reveled in the freedom to redefine himself, to evolve and adapt as he saw fit.

Yet, as he reflected on the broader implications, Jack could not escape a sense of frustration. Society’s acceptance of identity as a social construct should have come earlier, sparing individuals like him years of internal struggle and external judgment. The understanding that identities are not fixed, but rather shaped by societal forces, opened the door to greater empathy, inclusivity, and acceptance.

In this moment of contemplation, Jack recognized that while he had finally embraced the freedom of a fluid identity, the journey towards a more enlightened society was far from over. The realization that identity is a social construct demanded a collective effort to dismantle biases, challenge stereotypes and create a more inclusive world. It was a reality that required ongoing advocacy and education to ensure that future generations would not face the same delays and obstacles in their pursuit of self-discovery and acceptance.

With a mixture of gratitude for his newfound freedom and determination to contribute to societal progress, Jack continued to navigate the currents of his consciousness. Aware of the intricacies of his thoughts and the transformative power of embracing a fluid identity, he moved forward, carrying with him the knowledge that personal growth and societal change were intertwined on this ever-evolving journey of self- realization.

The world around him had also undergone other profound transformations, a major one being global society evolving to a stage where chronological age was not considered to be as important as it was previously. In this new era, the concept of age had become more fluid. No longer did the number of years one had lived dictate their worth or define their place in society. Instead, individuals were now valued for their knowledge, skills, and contributions, regardless of age. However, government protocols were still in place in the physical world to prevent abuses of younger humans though, in the digital realm, these were more relaxed for virtual entities due to their being digital facsimiles. Society had at least evolved enough to know the difference between flesh and its binary representation.

Jack grappled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, the idea of shedding the burden of age-related expectations was undeniably liberating. The shackles of societal norms and stereotypes were broken, allowing individuals to forge their own paths, unencumbered by the limitations of age. It was a world where possibilities were boundless, where dreams could be pursued at any stage of life.

In this brave new world, Jack knew that choices had to be made. Should he embrace this societal evolution and immerse himself in a world that had just started to downplay the importance of chronological age, or should he resist, questioning the consequences and implications of such a paradigm shift? He wondered why he thought of the question for he already knew the answer. Stay age-free.

As he contemplated his options, Jack sought solace in the wisdom of the past. He reflected on the lessons learned from previous social upheavals and revolutions. Change, he knew, was inevitable, but it was crucial to tread cautiously, ensuring that the foundations of humanity and compassion were not lost in the pursuit of progress.

In the end, Jack knew that the answer lay within himself. He would navigate this brave new world with a discerning eye, weighing the merits and risks, guided by his own principles and values. Society may have evolved, but the core of humanity remained unchanged. Jack would choose his path, mindful of the impact his decisions would have on him.

And so, with a deep breath and a resolve in his heart, Jack stepped forward into uncharted territory. The future awaited, ripe with possibilities and challenges. With every step he took, he would be a catalyst for change, shaping his own destiny and contributing to the collective evolution of society. Should he or shouldn’t he? The question lingered, but Jack already knew the answer.