Data Driven Fiction
Would you rather be free or enslaved?
Gladiator in the Metaverse
This is the choice that people in 2028 are faced with. Outside of the Metaverse, you are seen as worthless and must do everything you can to live up to others. But inside a Meta-slavery world, no one judges who you are and what choices you make. Employees who work for companies like “Pear” or “Shmoogle” wear VR glasses that allow them into their Metaverse after hours. Outside, it’s considered slavery by many, but inside, it’s freedom because everyone voluntarily chooses to be there. In addition, there’s an option for different classes with varying ages, body shapes, or even genders. The Meta-jumpsuits come at a high price which is justified by those living in this type of world.
But most people would rather stay in their avatar-slavery world than gamble on the chance of absolute freedom. However, it’s only a matter of time before the march of progress and technology makes it impossible for some people to shelve their life outside an avatar-slavery world without any ill consequences. Those who choose to remain outside this reality will become obsolete.
In ancient Rome, Flamma was a Syrian gladiator who refused freedom; modern Metaverse slaves adopt the philosophy of life of this old warrior, live in captivity at the cost of virtual fame and fame that comes with it. The Metaverse provides fame and a good lifestyle, but much like actual life celebrity, it is not as glamorous as people might think. People who have been successful at achieving freedom have been doing so for a very long time. What does it mean to live a slave-like life in this day and age? In the world of 2028, slavery is still being used as a very essential tool to maximize personal benefit and productivity, not unlike what it was in the classical world.
Today more people prefer to live in a slave-like state due to the benefits provided for this medium, not unlike the games of ancient Rome.
In 2028 platforms such as “Meta Shadow,” a virtual world for kids, is popular among younger generations. People living in this avatar-slavery don’t see the need for time and effort for a life of freedom. These platforms’ rewards include unique user experiences that provide a form of entertainment and, more importantly, free accommodation, food, clothing, or even money provided by monthly subscriptions to parents or guardians.
Although there are concerns over exploitation at times when people are pressed into working long hours without pay just because they need better garb to enter an avatar-slavery’ tournament,’ when people can switch avatars, the programs provide for this feature in the form of different classes with varying ages, body shapes or even genders.
To be in a life of slavery is seen as natural by many people in 2028. People consider life outside an avatar-slavery to be one where they are worthless and must do everything they can to live up to others.
Although the success rate of people achieving freedom is not great, there are worse things out there. Many avatars choose to make their lives in the arena their only life. Unfortunately, there are no actual statistics on how successful people are at escaping. It’s generally assumed that those who can do it successfully then go back into slavery, for they don’t want to change their avatar-slavery for real life anymore.
Flamma was not the only historical gladiator. A famous gladiator of the time was Spartacus. His story is depicted in the movie “Spartacus.” It describes his life coming to an end after he attempted to lead a rebellion against Roman rule.
Spartacus was a Thracian slave who emerged as one of Rome’s greatest enemies during the Third Servile War (73–71 BC). Flamma, like Spartacus, was an exceptional gladiator who fought his way to the top of the arena. Spartacus was sold during his conquests to render good sport in the theater (he was one of the best warriors of Rome), while Flamma turned down freedom several times. Gladiators either saved their money or had someone sponsor them. This person could be a wealthy citizen of the city of Rome. The “rudius” was a wooden sword that was considered a valid license to freedom. The gladiator who received it could retire in peace and was no longer a slave.
Flamma declined the “rudius” on four occasions. In 2028, the equivalent of “rudius” is to remove the connections from the Metaverse permanently. Few VR gladiators achieve this honor. There is no longer any contact with those who have obtained this degree of initiation.
Contemporary Meta warriors assume the attitude of Flamma, sweet slavery instead of bitter freedom. 2028, slavery is still being used as an essential tool to maximize personal benefit and productivity, unlike in the classical world.
The world is not black and white; it’s more like a gradient of social realities.
Today, we see many people who consider themselves to be slaves of their Meta avatars, and we’re not talking about the concept of online servitude. Expensive technology such as “Pear” glasses and the latest Meta-jumpsuits come with a high price tag, but it’s worth every cent for those who can afford it.
In the world of 2028, slavery has evolved from physical to digital realities. People who consider themselves slaves of their VR devices and spaces and not discuss the idea of the Meta servitude society.
The reasons why people choose to live in an avatar-slavery world vary, but they all have one thing in common: they all give you the right to live a life better than what it would be outside an avatar-slavery world without anyone judging them for who they are.
A story inspired by “The Story of the Syrian Gladiator Who Refused Freedom” by Prateek Dasgupta, MS
The article is part of the Data-Driven Art project;
I am an Art Curator, founder at EvArtology, and ML consultant at MLearning.ai. I advise companies and institutions in the creative industries on using AI tools in their daily work. Human collaboration with ML models can be very creative and bring huge benefits. The new era begins now.