SERIES : PROXIMITY ACROSS REALITIES | SXJournal #2
- Venus
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 20
Two explorers in the metaverse are researching avatar identity along with digital intimacy to determine how humans connect, express and feel themselves across different realities.
They meet in a beautiful virtual space to experiment with device interactivity and touch simulation, to explore avatar proximity and to strengthen their phantom sense.
Following are their separate journal entries with each of their perspectives:
SXJournal | Foreplay #2
11/01/2026
Explorer 1
Today began cooler than usual as colder air returned overnight. This was important given today’s experiment focusing on SPS [1] interaction testing and the need to get to a comfortable enough temperature in my environment and with my sensory device. Getting temperatures just right has been a challenge as being too warm or too cold makes me want to do less with my body. Keeping temperatures in the range of 70-74F (21-23C) range has been optimal with a lounge robe on my physical avatar.
I wanted to pay closer attention to how I felt before even putting the headset on and so far, just fitting the sensory device begins the arousal. There has been a level of friction, even anxiety, around getting the full body tracking (FBT), Intiface and a program we call OGB [2], all set up and working on time for our meetings. My FBT software remains more finicky to get working compared to Intiface [3].
With the physical reality errands and device checks out of the way, I am excited about a new environment in virtual reality that may be more comfortable or conducive to arousal. My partner tells me they are running 20 minutes late, which adds some relief to having my devices calibrated and working right away.
Explorer 2
The meeting time was in the morning for me on a warm day with a light breeze. I didn’t set my alarm to wake up but then organically woke up just before I was meant to be hooked up and ready! I didn’t stress though, knowing that it doesn’t take me long to get into VR with all the programs running and my sensory device fitted. I don’t have FBT to set up though, one less step than my partner, and I know it can be a pain sometimes. There was no need to eat or dress or have a shower - I was going to get sweaty anyhow and need a shower after the experiment.
This was a day where my body was very conducive to arousal and ready for stimulation. I am still testing the device I have to see if it’s what I want. I think I would like to get a different style soon. I turned on my headset and logged into VR, opened Intiface, connected the device by bluetooth and started the server connection, then opened OGB and it was all connected instantly. I can see the real-time connection status in the virtual world by using a virtual computer desktop overlay.
I have added advanced settings to my OGB program with simple code to allow SPS activation with my own hand, as a way to test if it is sending signals. I have found this sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t, so I need to test this more.
I was curious to explore a new world, because I find the colours, shaders and texture quality are key factors in my relaxation and arousal and I have this acute awareness of how my environment affects me emotionally.
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Footnote 1
SPS = Super Plug Shader = a popular free deformation shader used in custom avatars to make body parts like tails, ears, hair and genitals move realistically and flexibly, replacing older systems like DPS (Dynamic Penetration System) for advanced physics and blending without needing custom SDKs.
Footnote 2
OGB = OscGoesBrrr makes haptic tools work in VRChat.
Footnote 3
Intiface connects VR applications to haptic hardware (like vibrating devices) using the open-source Buttplug.io framework, allowing users to feel in VR, like impact, touch or sensations, creating a more immersive sensory experience.
#phantomsense #VRconnection #digitalintimacy #embodiment #vrforeplay #avataridentity #selfexpression #sxjournal #reflections #sxtech
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