OK I was thinking. There's no official mod I've found that lets your eyes adjust to bright light, and by that I mean sun light like some sunglasses do now, not flare compensation, but there's no reason to think you couldn't easily have cyber or bioware to let your eyes act like sunglasses. And in theory something that is so obviously cosmetic would only be afforded by those with excess income, BUT would they? Are sun glasses an accessory that makes a statement more than not needing it? I mean sure the latest sim starlet can pose in birght sun and not squint-or get career shortening frown lines but would she, or would she still be posing with the hotest brand name eye wear (in stead of eyeware) that you too can buy. Like how on the red carpet they get asked "who are you wearing?"

The same for watches- sure there's even cyber ware that gives you a clock read out on your eye, "How can you be late? You've got a frakking alarm clock on your eyeball!!!" but would that replace the delecate tiffany watch, set with diamonds or the Rolex executive in platnium.

I mean we don't need cufflinks on men's shirts, they have buttons now, but for formal dress they still wear cufflinks. On the other hand we, women, don't need garterbelts for hose and usually even for formal occassions don't use them because technology has made them outdated.

You know, I do not really see fashion disappearing with the advent of magic and 'ware... in fact, it may even be more important now, as it will distinguish between the haves and have-nots even more... at least in my opinion... I mean, really, how many people will go all out for the Heritage Line from Zoe (Especially since you get an exclusive one year useage for uniqueness if they custom design it for you before it becomes available for public consupmtion)? Only the very Rich and Famous will do so, and it is a mark of distinction that they do...

Keep the Faith

My point is that I know the haves can afford to get the bio/cyber modifications but the issue is would they? You can't really show off that bioware as you pose on the red carpet. infact that might be more of a scandal - Sythia morris, hot model for XO fiound to keep her shape by using expensive dietware, but they can pose with high end accessories that the have nots can aspire too.

Actually, that is what flare compensation is about, especially the bioware version.

I agree with Rotbart, FC is exaclty what you want.

People will still have the flashy showy accessories. Although things like P-secs and wristphones will probably incorporate the watches too, replacing them yet still being visable.

Cosmetic mods can be done to be showy too. Cybereyes especially. Also things like skin tinting and other tricks too.

one thing about sunglasses, especially the very dark ones, is that they do more then protect against bright lights. They also hide the main expressive area of our face.

say a stressed out person may have eyes jumping around, but you cant tell if they are behind one way or dark shades. and dont bother trying to stare down someone in mirrorshades (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

and hell, i would expect famous people to look like walking billboards in AR, with all manner of implants and similar broadcasting their existence on all channels, just like how someone famous may show up in some ad to endorse a product. Think of it like how a race car is covered in sponsorship logos, or various products are placed in movies and tv series.

tho i understand they are making something of a comeback in some circles as a pure fashion item, rather then a tool towards being fashionable in body form or similar...

Only in private with my husband on special occasions. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/embarrassed.gif)

I wear my sunglasses at night
So I can, so I can
Keep track of the visions in my eyes

While she's deceiving me
It cuts my security
Has she got control of me
I turn to her and say

Don't switch the blade
On the guy in shades, oh-no
Don't masquerade
With the guy in shades, oh-no
I can't believe it
'Cause you got it made
With the guy in shades, oh-no

Yeah, if bare essentials... flare comp is exactly what you're talking about.

If you mean, you're looking for the outward signs for others to see... there's no reason I can see you couldn't have dynamic tinting contacts or other similar cosmetic effects on gear. Even stuff like you have on cars, which allows you to let people see a fake image of what's inside the windows (enhanced image screen modification), I could see being done to glasses for a reasonable fee...

Lets' also not forget that ruthenium polymers aren't only used for camo... you could turn someone into a walking billboard or colour shifting peacock with one of those.

That's without even touching AR artwork.

Considering that according to Arsenal, steampunk is coming into fashion again in the early 2070s, eye wear is going to be extremely bulky, ie. goggles!, for the fashionistas.

The future's so bright, I have to wear shades.

Check the desert and polar sections of (IIRC) Arsenal. Not shades per se, but I think they do have goggles and contact lenses.

t's 106 miles to Bug City, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
Hit it.

i was wondering when that quote would show up (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Hrm... I don't know. Rich people wear cufflinks, but the funny thing is, poor people don't. How often do rich people wear the same sort of thing poor people do (when dressing up), when they have the option of getting something more elaborate? Most people won't be able to afford cybereyes. They'll still wear $5 sunglasses they picked up at CVS. Most people with bad eyesight will still get eyeglasses as well. If you see someone wearing glasses, most likely it's because he couldn't afford to get his eyeballs replaced with cyber. At the price cybereyes run for, I could only really see them becoming a middle class accessory for those with actual, medical need (bad eyesight, blindness, etc.) No middle class person is going to pay out 10k for sunglasses.

However, if it becomes super common in the upper class, I could see the richer upper class turning back to glasses just to mark themselves as different. As long as there aren't any poor people in sight, of course.

It's also worth mentioning that some faces really benefit from glasses. Just like hats, some heads just need a hat. But I suppose in those cases they can also afford biosculpting to fix that. Hrm... Good question!

Wristwatches can very well get replaced by portable phones in the near future, among the younger generation. I did not believe it when I read an article claiming this, until my younger brother told me he hasn't had a watch in years.

Basic cybereyes cost 500 Nuyen - cheap for anyone in the middle class, not really limited to medical cases.

Well, no. I wear cuff links. People, rich or poor, in tuxedos, wear cuff links. It's a royal pain to get a shirt with french cuffs that isn't a tux shirt. So while rich people wear tuxedos more often, even they will rarely be wearing links for their cuffs.

Despite my massive watch collection, 99.9% of the time I resort to my iPhone (aka commlink) for my time-keeping needs. I wear a watch when I am going out or need to look spiffy for a client meeting. It is truly a fashion accessory for me now and not so much a functional one.

As for sunglasses, I would like to believe that there will always be a need for the style that shades provide.

I got beat to the Deus Ex quote (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

On the topic, I'd say that the most basic level flare compensation could probably eliminate anything the sun could throw at you, but for reasonable-level glare, basic glasses / cybereyes should be able to do it off the shelf.

Thank Goddess, the others were making me feel old.

What's this SR4 jibba-jabba, foo? $500? Crazy talk!

(Although clearly, in your game, the division may be different, and it's quite logical then that many middle-class people will have cybereyes, and the rich will go back to wearing sunglasses as a sign of style and wealth.)

That and a lot of wageslaves might be REQUIRED to have cyber as part of their job contract. And it would help add to the paranoia about keeping your job if they are threatening to repo your eyes. (Blind Mag anyone?)

Chances are that your standard wageslave is given a company comlink and some cyber that is required for the job. People tend to think about things in a non-corporate mentality.

Lets take your common receptionist. She has her work issued comlink to answer calls routed to the front door. She has a set of cybereyes for a few reasons.
1) Image link. Without the image link she will have a hard time doing her job. It will be needed to bring up schedules and to do any sort of basic computer work without being tied to a terminal. She can also get AR allerts from security or MAD scanners and the like.

2) Camera. Lets face it there is no reason NOT to have a camera in every ones eyes at work. For one the spider can have the feed of everyone she looks at run through a facial recognition software and send her back alerts or even call security for her. They can also be used to send images of the people at the desk to send to people for confirmation "Mr. Johnson your 3pm is here. <pic>"

3)Knowsofts: There is no reason she should not be able to access a LARGE corporate library of etiquette and Lingosofts. Its her job to make a good first impression and this makes that nearly foolproof.

You get the general idea. On a large scale it is very cost effective and would create a much more effective worker. If this technology existed today I could get a PO cut today from the president of the company to pay for it.