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Commentator Stuart Cheifet explains that an "avatar" is the incarnation or embodiment of a spirit or concept. Now in cyberspace, you can create a "virtual you" — a graphic image representing who you are. These avatars can wander through a 3D cyber environment, meeting other avatars along the way.

Linguist WILLIAM LABOV (pronounced La Bove (like "cove") from the University of Pennsylvania discusses Ebonics. He's been studying Black English for 30 years and traced the rules governing Black and White English. He also examined the differences between the two and explored the roots of the changes taking place in the languages. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES THRU THE END OF THE SHOW). LABOV continued. 12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next Fresh Air. . .part art, part industry, rock and roll music has become a $20 billion business It's the subject of former Rolling Stone editor FRED GOODMAN's new book, "The Mansion on the Hill." He talks with Terry about what has changed since the sixties that has made rock and roll a commercial powerhouse. Also, linguist WILLIAM LABOV (pronounced LA-Bove, like "Cove") on Ebonics. He's been studying Black English for 30 years. That and more coming up on today's Fresh Air.

Steve Young of Vermont Public Radio reports on a lawsuit filed on behalf of a young Vermont student from a relatively poor school district. The suit, like others in other states, challenges the way Vermont distributes tax funds for schools and argues that it creates huge disparities in education state-wide.

NPR'S Eric Westervelt reports on Atlantic City, whose residents voted to legalize gambling twenty years ago today. Touted at the time as an economic savior for the troubled New Jersey city...many of the promises have not held true...as Atlantic City is now undergoing a second wave of casino development.

Key members of Congress say they are ready to negotiate on President Clinton's proposal to take over some of the responsibilities of the District of Columbia government. The city would lose its annual 660 million dollar payment, but would be relieved of jobs like collecting city income taxes and running prisons for the most serious offenders. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports that proponents hope the federal government can do better than the city, which they see as badly mismanaged.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu explores the twisted qualities of health care in the age of HMO's. He talks about the absurdity of insurance companies that put financial profits before human life.

about the current status of relations between Israel and Syria, as well as the proxy war in South Lebanon.

NPR's John Ydstie reports that Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan encouraged the Congress to move forward on efforts to revise the nation's main inflation guage, the consumer price index. Greenspan reiterated his view that the CPI overstates inflation and forces the government to overcompensate retirees and others for the effect of inflation.

with more than 30 states to stave off legal action over its unlimited Internet access package. The company will refund subscribers who haven't been able to log-on because the system became overloaded.

Next week is the 75th anniversary of the first publication (in Paris) of James Joyce's masterpiece of modern literature, "Ulysses." The book's American obscenity trial resulted in a landmark court decision, and the hype surrounding the book raised issues that remain relevant today. The story of "Ulysses" is as much a story about savvy marketing and art as investment as it is about the First Amendment and a discerning readership. NPR's Dean Olsher reports.