Authenticity

Interesting little article in my Google Reader this morning; Authenticity Lessons from the American Girl Store:

I stood there transfixed, watching the stylist as she spritzed a doll’s hair, and chatted breezily with her three-foot-tall owner, as if they were old friends. As if all of this was normal. My mother came up next to me asking, “Do you want a doll? I’ll get you one if you want. They didn’t have this sort of thing when you were growing up.” I found myself nodding involuntarily. Yes, yes, I do want a doll.

I wonder if you can build this kind of authenticity with a website? It would be quite difficult because you just can’t create that same level of emotional connection that a physical presence can.

On the other hand you can create little fun things like the doll hair stylist using flash games, polls and user forums.

I wonder if there is anything else that can be done…