In my hard-hitting expose of simulated humans passing themselves off as real (“Russell Brand Does Not Exist,” February 24, 2011, http://weird-proof.org/2011/02/24/russell-brand-does-not-exist/) I named Katy Perry as one of the most prominent of possible simulacra. Now some additional evidence has emerged that she is indeed not a person of flesh and blood, born in the natural way, but an eerie eidolon created of bytes and algorithms: her recent endorsement deal with The Sims, the well-known “life simulation” computer game. The Sims allows players to steer the live(s) of one or more “virtual persons” within the “virtual world” of the game.
On January 17, 2012, CNN reported “Sims to Get Katy Perry’s Help.” Some quotes:
“I always like to think of myself as a cartoon, and now I’m a Sim,” Perry said.
“No performer could better represent the humor and fun of The Sims brand,” [Electronic Arts Worldwide Executive of Music Steve] Schnur said.
How much more blatant do they have to be before the world wakes up?
This is not Perry’s first public interaction with The Sims. “In 2008, Perry recorded a version of her hit song ‘Hot n Cold’ in ‘Simlish,’ the made up gibberish language spoken by Sims characters. The recording, featured The Sims 2 is the most popular Simlish music video to date: ‘Being a gamer myself and a big fan of The Sims, I had a blast recording ‘Hot N Cold’ in Simlish,’ Perry said in 2008.” http://mashable.com/2012/01/17/katy-perry-the-sims-showtime/
At what point does this come out into the open? Are we on the verge of an inflection point, a cusp of history, a hinge of fate? Will this mark the beginning of an onslaught of such virtual persons? Inside of twelve months, will openly admitted virtual persons occupy key position in the highest reaches of government? Who will be the first corporate CEO to admit to being a virtual person? It’s only a matter of time now.