PROUST SPOTLIGHT

the proust spotlight

The Proust Spotlight is our monthly feature where we highlight one of the many creative residents of Second Life®. Utilizing the Proust Questionnaire, whose namesake comes from the late 19th century French writer, we will offer a glimpse into what makes them tick.

The blogger we feature this month is the talented Ryanna Dragon. She shares,”Above all I consider myself a storyteller - it has been that way ever since I was child. Secondlife allows me to bring my storytelling across in the pictures that I create. Though my main form here is a female, I can often be found as a Tween, or even a Male - and this is aside from the multitude of personas. I enjoy tacking many things in SL and dragging my partner, Kulaan, along for the ride with me.”

the proust spotlight

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Openness - if one can call that a virtue - and I’ll tell you why. In my opinion, people in today’s society make a big fuss about being able to trust someone, opening up to someone, they met an interesting person and within the first hour you’re suppose to have told them your life story because you’re “being open” with that person. People are so willing to pour all of themselves out all the time, but they do so without thinking of the consequences.

You cannot be open with everyone and you can’t tell everyone your secrets. I believe that people have the wrong idea about what “being open” with a person really means. Is it sharing all your passwords with your significant other, or letting them look through your phone? Or is being open really about being honest about how you feel in regards to various matters? Also, are you really being honest or are simply looking to have something to say to fill up space?

Some people may read this responds and assume that my answer comes from a jaded personality, but it doesn’t. People will say, “I’m tired of opening up to people only to get hurt,” and I’m sorry they got hurt, I truly am. We need to evaluate how much of ourselves we pour into others and if the person we are pouring into is worthy of what we have to give. An overrated virtue? Openness.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Seriously? This would have to be the word that I tend to use on multiple occasions. It’s very versatile! Depending on how a person says it can determine what it means. In my opinion it is a very universal word.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I do not think I have reached my “greatest” yet, nobody has because we are still alive. While we yet live we still have a chance to do something with our lives that will transcend beyond our time. It is true, that, throughout our lives we impact people in ways we may not know - it may even be possible that I have changed someone for the better and they’ve gone off to do amazing things. Good for them. May we all be so fortunate as to impact someone in that way. However, while I may have done great things in my lift, nothing has been the greatest.

What do you most value in your friends?

I make no attempt to hide the fact that I’m not a very social person. I’m the last person anyone would expect to see going from one event to another in a single day (though it has happened), and my friends know this. I appreciate the fact that they don’t mind my quiet times, or the fact that a great part of my time is spent being a platform dweller. What I really appreciate about them is the fact that they accept me. As a blogger, photographer, and role-player, I have my looks and can be any age, race, species, and they don’t mind.

How would you like to die?

I would like to die by living. Morbid or not, it is true. Each day that passes, every hour, minute, and second, we are dying a little bit more. This is why we can never return to the person we use to be because that person is dead.

I want to live a life - not simply have a life - and by living I will continually learn new things and have new experiences. The me that I once was who may have been afraid of heights will die as the new me climbs mountains. Or I will die from being afraid to make the first move while the new me makes courageous advances. How would I like to die? I’d like to die by forever learning and growing; living life to its fullest.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I’m always hearing that I’m an easy person to talk to, which I find very strange. Whether it is in SL or in RL people will randomly talk to me and say whatever it is that is on their mind, and I listen. I actively listen. Apparently having someone actively listen to you, and show interest in what you’re saying, is rare these days.

If I ask someone how they are doing, or how’s their day, I honestly want to know. I’ll listen - even if I have no idea what the person is talking about - and ask questions. The most important thing anyone can do for someone else is listen to them. If people say I’m a good listener it is because I honestly care about what they have to say.