Virtual Natives

4Radical Acceptance

VNs can only experiment with their identity if they feel that they won't be judged too harshly for it. Because they are likely to be experimenting with the presentation of their own identities, VNs tend to be relaxed about the life and identity choices of others, presenting a nonchalant shrug and “you do you” attitude toward the world. This is reflected in their social interactions in the physical and digital realms, with all forms of expression seen as equally valid. This means that their choices – whether to finish college or to pursue a career as a gamer or influencer – will not be socially determined, but driven by their own goals and aspirations.

TwitchCon is the annual three‐day gathering in San Diego of 50,000 gamers and streamers, unified by their use of the live‐streaming platform Twitch. Twitch is the Amazon‐owned platform that allows gamers to share their live gaming streams with others, along with their own running commentary. The brands that exhibit at TwitchCon are usually the kinds of things you would associate with the gamer lifestyle: various fast‐food, energy drink, and gamer gear companies occupy prominent stands. But in 2019, there was one surprise: MAC Cosmetics.

MAC was there to support female gamers, who make up about 35% of Twitch's streamer base.¹ MAC hosted two leading female gamers, Pokimane and KittyPlaysGames, both of whom did meet‐and‐greets, as well as live streaming their daily feeds directly from the booth. With nearly five ...