A Hologram Star

The Japanese are paying concert-ticket prices to see Hatsune Miku, a computer-generated avatar (hologram), strut, sing, and dance on stage. She is accompanied by a live band. Miku, 5 feet 4 inches tall, looks like a young girl with blue pigtails wearing a version of a Japanese school-girl uniform with a short skirt. Her voice is synthesized with the help of a live actress. Miku can also be seen on home PCs, but live concerts are held for sell-out crowds who scream and wave lit batons. No doubt shops will soon be selling Miku collectibles like dolls, toys, T-shirts, and more. As the first hologram pop-star…