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Wednesday Challenge: Get a (Second) Life.

Posted by John on May 9th, 2007 at 6:36 pm · 9 Comments

It figures. Finals loom, so I not only go and get myself a new hobby, I get myself a whole ‘nother life. Enter Second Life.

Second Life is a huge virtual world (inspired by Snow Crash, Miko). But let me say this first: IT IS NOT A GAME. It’s part gigantic graphical chat room and part virtual lego playground and part live action role playing. It has a thriving economy in which you can exchange virtual money for US dollars (over a hundred people make over $5,000 per month). Libraries, world-class fashion designers, Buddhist monks, political candidates and businesses from American Apparel to Wells Fargo are making a presence there. Dell sells computers there and the American Cancer Society raised $41,000 for research last year. You can also gamble and bump (unclothed) pixels and lose virtual money to scams (warning: there seems to be a lot of clubbing and sexing in SL, but it’s possible to steer clear of these things, if that’s your desire). The most popular destination in SL is a virtual ballroom.

I decided to sign up this weekend (it’s free–you can do almost everything but own land with the basic free account). I’ve been thinking a lot about how technology transforms society and what my place is in this period of rapid change (as someone whose professional and personal life revolves largely around connecting people and data and ideas). It’s only natural that my thinking would lead me here.

It’s been an incredible experiment/experience so far, and I’ve already taken notes and photos for several posts–including one on gender, one on religion. I’ve spent most of my time in replicas of Tibetan monasteries, in a charming virtual cafe, and in the Camp Darfur area. I’ve already attended a virtual Friends meeting and met fellow Quakers from Northern California, Boston and England (there’s a Mormon presence, too, but more on that later). I’ve met feminists and artists. Just like in the blogging world, the medium may be “virtual” or digital, but the people, relationships, causes, ideas and feelings are all very, very real.

So here’s my challenge to you for this week: if you have the time (and system requirements), download, sign up and log into Second Life. Email me the name of your avatar and we’ll hook up.

Tags: Second Life · Weekly Challenge

9 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Amber // May 9, 2007 at 9:35 pm

    A lot of the partners at my office have gotten into SL for “business purposes.” I remember chat rooms, but they were social. Maybe I’ll be a late adapter, but so far I can’t think of why I would want to be a part of this. Maybe I will take you up on your challenge to see if I can’t figure it out.

  • 2 Bored in Vernal // May 10, 2007 at 7:32 am

    Nope, not for me either. I’m already fragmented enough as it is. Just what I need is another life to keep track of—Not.

  • 3 Jonathan // May 10, 2007 at 12:43 pm

    Hey, I’ve always wanted to try this out! We have a guy here in the research group working on it all the time. We’ve tried to terraform islands and stuff and have gotten a grant to build an island for our company!

    I will try to download SL and get an account going. :)

  • 4 Jeff // May 10, 2007 at 2:12 pm

    I function off of satellite internet and can’t do it. It sounds fascinating, however. I’ll be interested to hear everyone’s experiences there.

  • 5 Carolyn Bahm // May 11, 2007 at 5:07 am

    (FYI: My comment is off-topic for this post; I couldn’t find an e-mail link for you)

    Just wanted to drop you a line and say I recently discovered your podcast, “An Atheist’s Prayer,” and hope you’ll produce more of them in the future. Enjoyed the thoughtful perspectives you included, as well as the writing, poetry, and benedictions.

    Myself, I’m on the line between faith and atheism, wishing for one while slowly moving toward the other.

    Your last one mentioned that you were considering doing a more scripted show instead of rambling — either is great!

    Best wishes – Carolyn Bahm
    Collierville, TN

  • 6 John White // May 11, 2007 at 7:33 am

    Not really interested, but am intrigued by the things you’ve mentioned. Thinking about it.

  • 7 PENIX // May 11, 2007 at 7:34 am

    Between career and a social life there is nothing left. I don’t have time to take on a second life. I don’t understand the huge attraction beyond a quick 30 minute break during lunch hour. Real life is much more interesting.

  • 8 pilgrimgirl // May 11, 2007 at 4:59 pm

    I tried the 2nd life thing on my computer and it was insane because I don’t have a graphics card. Blech. So then I logged on to John’s machine and did the same thing. Much smoother. But if I can’t log in to my ‘life’ from Junebug, I doubt that I’ll ever be spending much time there. In the meantime, I’ll stick to blogging for my virtual community… :)

  • 9 Miko // May 14, 2007 at 10:48 am

    what’s your SL name so I can say you refered me?

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