Inkanta
Group: Admins
Posts: 1453
Joined: Feb. 2000 |
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Posted: May 25 2006, 14:01 |
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| Quote (Alan D @ May 25 2006, 04:24) | But the Second Life concept seems importantly different. It seems like the same kind of thing that 'normal' life consists of - except it isn't real. I think the scary part is the idea of becoming absorbed in such a virtual existence to the detriment of one's 'real' life: it would have all the worry, and stress, and hassle of real life, but with no actual 'real' outcome. And then, on a different tack: why would I want to go to a virtual art gallery when I can go to a real one? And what would it mean if I found myself choosing the former option more often, because it was so much easier? That would be desperately impoverishing.
But as I said, my response is instinctive. I'm not sure that my attempts at rationalising it are very solid. And maybe I haven't understood the concept properly (I stopped reading when I realised how scary it was! ) |
I see setting up enriching institutions (libraries, galleries, etc.) as a way to reach over 220,000 people who are not the normal users or visitors to those places (though maybe they visit sometimes). What we have learned in studies of services like virtual reference is that in many cases we are reaching entirely different users, who are not driving or walking to their local libraries. As with virtual reference, a SLer may start out in the virtual world at the library, but s/he may end up back at the bricks and mortar one. You cannot look at most archival records online (well, a few, but if you're doing in depth research, it still normally requires a visit). The difference is that now suddenly the library had become relevant to the online user.
IMHO web communities like Second Life can bring people together to collaborate interesting ways (well, some to sell things as well as to avail non-profit services, I suppose). For libraries, it is also a way to keep or get us relevant. I do think that many are also there to build community and friendships. There is also a teen version, which is more regulated than the other one. As a parent of teens, that scares me a bit, but I guess it's going all right.
Regarding virtual art galleries, some places are already doing this (though not through SL). For real institutions, it would be a way to avail their collections to a wider audience that has wandered into Second Life. Not everyone can get to an exhibit. A couple examples that I came across recently while working on another project were the Royal Library in Copenhagen http://www.kb.dk/index-en.htm and the Corning Museum of Glass http://www.cmog.org/index.asp?pageId=1101. Especially in the case of the latter, not everything is there, but you get a sampling (maybe the exhibition catalogue in some cases) and information about the exhibit from the curators, as well. I, too, would rather visit these places in person. The online availability may draw some people from the virtual world to the bricks and mortar museums, just like with libraries.
Right now, it's also a community without much music, other than the BBC and maybe a few others. Seems to me that the early adapters of this will have a good time breaking new (virtual) ground.
I also think, Alan, that you are right to question it. It should certainly be seen as an extension and not a replacement. From what I have learned about it, you could disappear into it, never to be seen again (maybe I should leave a trail of bread crumbs??? ). Talk about falling right into the net....  For some, it could become entirely addictive. Perhaps there will be psychologists specializing in Internet addiction (which is a real addiction) setting up their shingle to help.
SL seems to have all the things that go on in real life communities. There are power struggles within organizations and all the other baggage that afflicts real life societies (maybe not global warming at this point). Virtual organizations seem to go through the same cycle as real life groups that form for a given purpose (forming, storming, norming, performing) but there are also differences (I've been asked to do a program on this in SL once I finally ge there).  As someone with a background in anthropology who has an interest in the anthropology of online communities, I see this as potential research that will shed even more light on group behavior.
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"No such thing as destiny; only choices exist." From: Moongarden's "Solaris."
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