This is my first article that I've submitted to the Times, and hopefully it'll get published. If not? There's always next time, and the time after that... and the time after that... and the -- okay, well, here it goes.
Although I'm not exactly what many citizens would consider an oldbie, I'm no newbie, either. Soon after I became a resident of this electronic Utopia, I began to realize how powerful words really are. Surprisingly enough, I also started to discover the culture of Whyville -- and its very colorful and unique inhabitants. Different from anything I had ever witnessed before, it didn't take long for me to become submerged within the culture that Whyville's citizens had each helped to mold.
Romance is pursued by both guys and girls. Often I notice wedding rings floating about on someone's body, or signs denoting the individual's status, "Single!" or "Taken." Relationships, whether it be friendship or romance, are not taken lightly here. I was surprised to see how strong an online community like this could be -- and was quickly proved wrong about my initial assumptions of a superficial meeting place.
Fashion and style are also important factors in the typical resident's life. A simple denim jacket and a funky hat can mean the difference between being taken as serious or comical. Shopping at Akbar's Face Mall is a part of everyday life. Designers of all talents create their wearable masterpieces in so many different styles every shopper's taste can be satisfied. Some designers' fashions become so popular that it's impossible to keep them stocked.
And of course in every culture, there are the conflicts and hot topics. Oldbies and newbies are constantly at battle for that coveted spot at Leila's Pool Party, and events such as the Prom are always looked forward to.
Strangely enough, Whyville is a culture that any philosopher could spend hours contemplating -- complete with its own social ladder. The newbies, oldbies, cliques and everything in between are all part of the social part of Whyville's culture.
I enjoyed writing this article, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Next time you log onto Whyville -- just take a minute and think about what really goes into our growing city. Analyze everything you see in life, whether it be your online one in Whyville or your real life -- and always stop to wonder, "Why?" Isn't that *why* we're all here anyway?
---Brooke99
