The Week contest: Avatar - April 22, 2011

To help folks save money for retirement, scientists are developing avatars that show workers what they’ll look like when they are old. What advice should those elderly avatars give their younger selves?

An avatar in the virtual world computer game Second Life in front of an ATM.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Welcome to The Week's "What Next?" contest, an invitation to test your powers of imagination with challenges inspired by current events.

Click here for results of last week's contest: Baseball book

Results: To help folks save money for retirement, scientists are developing avatars that show current-day wage earners what they’ll look like — and need — when they are old. We asked you what advice those elderly avatars should give their younger selves.

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THE WINNER: An "I Love Justin Bieber" tattoo will not age well

Elizabeth Gaines Johnston, Granada Hills, CA

SECOND PLACE: For beachfront property, buy land in West Virginia

Ashley Ryan, Catonsville, MD

THIRD PLACE: Stop talking to Avatars and go learn some actual social skills

Stacey Kaiserman, Phoenix, AZ

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Turn down the volume NOW!

Gary Cullen, North Canton, OH

You know that retirement thing? Yeah, well, basically forget it.

Jeffrey Contompasis, Ashburn, VA

It will take serious money to hire teens to help you use your 32G BIHCS (bio-implant-holographic-comm system)

John Besnard, Irvine, CA

Two words: pre-nup

Alex Smulian, New York City

Tattoos on your boobs will stretch. Plan accordingly.

Carol Blacet, Chico, CA

Get in those ski trips while you still can

Alex Goldklang, Evanston, IL

Go outside and play!

Dena Cornett, Mill Valley, CA

It's the 401K, stupid

Ken Allen, Napa, CA

Learn to speak Mandarin and buy jade

Geoff Barger, Cambridge, MD

Remember: You are now living your Good Old Days

Tom R. Kovach, Nevis, MN

Don't do what I did!

Jack Wanger, Monroe Township, NJ

I remember every time you hurt yourself. Every morning. All at once.

Phillip George Corrigan, New Braunfels, TX

Listen to your elders

Chris Eberhart, Okemos, MI

Floss

Frederick Lorber, Stockton, CA