In this new video from Strasz (previously featured here), the VRChat sociologist deep dives into the obsession with staring at one's avatar in virtual mirrors. (It's such a popular VRChat pastime, we devoted two posts and an original comic to it.) Heavily citing French postmodernist theory ("Foucault* would have a field day in VRChat"), Strasz argues that VRChat users aren't simply being narcissistic:
"I think ultimately a lot of behaviors in VR (like standing in front of a mirror) are misunderstood," as he puts it to me. "People tend to see them in a negative light, or see them as anti-social, when in reality they serve a powerful purpose. The mirror in VR isn't just a thing that lets you see yourself — it's one that lets you calibrate your body, and get a sense of how you fit into the virtual space."
Given his Strasz's previous report, suggesting that a majority of VRChat users would literally like to be their avatar in real life, that sounds right.
And once a virtual mirror anchors the individual VRChat user, Strasz adds, it then becomes a social hub:
"I think the mirror serves as a space to meet people — it's understood as a place where people always are, where you can basically walk up and start talking and generally expect a response. Sometimes it won't be positive, but in my experiences, most of the time it's at least friendly."
Much more conversation (along with copious sources) on his YouTube page.
* Speaking of which, and speaking from personal experience, when a virtual world community becomes active and rich enough that people in it start citing Foucault and such, it's probably long past time to take it seriously.
Wagner James Au / New World Notes 
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