virtualsuch

Virtualsuch is a term used in speculative discussions of virtuality to denote a class of digital entities that preserve an essential identity or such of a real object within a virtual context. The term combines virtual with a notion inspired by the philosophical concept of suchness, emphasizing an irreducible character that persists across appearances and environments.

Definition and scope: A virtualsuch is typically described as a persistent digital proxy that carries the core identity, provenance, and behavioral model of an object or person, while allowing surface representations to change across platforms and timelines. Unlike a traditional digital twin, which emphasizes state replication for simulation, a virtualsuch aims to encode the underlying essence or identity that remains constant despite transformations.

Key features include persistent identity, context-aware behavior, cross-platform portability, and governed provenance. Access controls and privacy rules determine how its identity can be used or modified in different ecosystems. Implementation proposals often separate the identity layer from representation and behavior layers, enabling a virtualsuch to be re-skinned or reinterpreted while retaining its core essence.

Potential applications span social virtual reality, interactive storytelling, digital heritage, and AI-mediated commerce, where users seek continuity of character or object across experiences. Critics note philosophical and technical challenges, such as defining an irreducible essence, interoperability standards, and governance.

See also: digital twin, digital identity, virtual agent.