O.K., so the biggest thing on my blog lately has been the comments (and slight controversy) concerning Second Life. It seems that there are two distinct camps: Those who are interested and those who have no interest whatsoever and scoff at those who are interested.
Below are some comments pro and con:
AnchovyBread: I'm serious. Get into Second Life. I know I sound like I'm selling Amway, but you, my friend, belong there. Not only is it a way to meet people from all over the world and chat with them and learn from them, but it has an intuitive 3D building system that even a bozo like me is figuring out. It's an online world that we build. It doesn't cost money unless you want to own land, which seems like a pretty good idea anyway. I dropped my $70 for a year and now I am getting a stipend every week and can own property. There are major industries operating with real financial outcomes. The fashion industry is probably the largest, then porn, casinos, and real estate. There are design jobs up the wazoo. People WALK UP TO YOU and ask if you know how to build, script, code. It's basically the internet but in 3D with some people who use it as an mmorpg, some as a business, some as a sex trade, schools, artists (and bad ones) are there, dudes in mech suits, R2D2, the dark prince, furries (people who dress up like anime animals) I've won trivia contests, costume contests, all with cash prizes. I never tried the casinos, but I'm sure you can win big. Yesterday, I was approached by someone who asked me to be in a documentary about Second Life. It turns out she is a grad student at U of M, Ann Arbor. I told her I used to work there and she told me she is in the Art grad program! As far as I can tell, she is a total newbie because I was able to figure out her real name with a little logic. She just walked up to me and asked me to record my voice talking about SL. Weird shit like that happens all the time. One night I came home drunk in Real life and went in to SL. I was immediately invited to a party where my upstairs neighbor was spinning. I looked around, and realized that I was at a mob party! Another time, I was shot at for wearing my snowman costume, and once I was caught on fire and rocketed into the atmosphere. It was what they call getting "griefed". And, you can die there. My neighbor has had a chip implanted in his avatar's brain that protects him from all manner of attacks, griefs, death. I don't think my life has been in danger yet, but I have been assured that gangs do wipe people out. And kids are there being kids. You never know when some hot asian girl in a school uniform is being controlled by an actual asian girl or a 46-year old dude in Jersey. There's a machine that someone gave me that automatically translates any language, so I can understand when someone speaking Portugese starts commenting on my furniture designs. I met a japanese guy who took me to a spa. His friend didn't speak english (and I didn't have the translator yet) but he was armed with a Katana. They gave me a bottle of Sake. On my first night, I stumbled onto some distant beach to find 4 or 5 people having a bonfire. They welcomed me in and gave me my first joint. It animates your avatar to fall down periodically while puffing the doobie. First night. It's like my first day at Grad school, when Superfly got me stoned.
DharmaBum: Secondlife.com? Now that's just bizarre. I have problems managing my mortal life. I see you and your virtual community congregating to drink the koolaide. Comets & white Nikes.
dfddesign: So, I'm glad to know that you signed up for Second Life. About a month ago when I started on this blogging kick, I almost joined. Then my husband made fun of me. Then I didn't know anyone else who was on Second Life. Now I do and now I will join.
Jessica: You do what in there? Now what is it again? What is Ron building? Furniture? But it's not real??? Pfffft!! Ha HA........
So the jury is still out on SL, but here's my take: Yeah, a lot of people make fun—but you know what? NASA's in there! So is Calvin Kline. Real money is being spent in there, with foreword-looking corporations with a presence in SL. That legitimizes—and to some—ruins it a little bit.
Personally, I think it's just a cool tool to interact with a friend who may be across the globe. I don't know about you, but I think the idea of sharing a virtual bottle of Jack Daniels and a doobie on the beach with them is more fun than, say, e-mailing them or posting a message on MySpace. Addictive? Hell yes. Keep yourself on a timer when you are on this thing.
In two years, EVERYONE will have an account. Mark my words. Anyone else have a view on SL?
