Before starting a Second Life, work harder on the first one
By: Karen Myers
Issue date: 1/14/10 Section: Opinion/Editorial
Sweeping the ground for potential victims, you swoop out of the dark sky and sink your teeth into a saucy cowboy, replete with chaps and spikes, on his way to a bull-riding event.
But, maybe vampirism isn't your thing. Perhaps prostitution is more your speed. Maybe the idea of selling your body always excited you, but it was a secret that could not be revealed in your real life. After all, you have family and friends to consider.
"Second Life" is a virtual world where players create and play with avatars, expressing themselves in just about every imaginable way. One can fly, live extravagantly, visit Amsterdam - the possibilities are endless. As a friend put it, "You can do anything in your second life that you can't do in your first."
In September 2009, "Second Life" celebrated a milestone, with both 1 billion hours spent in the virtual world and the equivalent of $1 billion spent between users since the world came to life in 2003. This is equivalent to 115,000 years spent in the virtual world.
Apparently, the thought of living outside the ordinary has intrigued many. CNN reported the virtual world had over 16 million registered users in 2008. The only catch is that it's as real as flying pigs - which is not at all.
There are thousands of stories where a secret desire has been fulfilled in "Second Life." Creating a basic account, which is free, allows users to interact with other avatars and inhabit the world. Users have to be 18 to have a "Second Life" account, but a teen version of the virtual world also exists. Different types of accounts can be created, allowing users to buy land in the world's currency, known as "Linden dollars."
Living life in a fantasy world is equivalent to George W. Bush's presidency - a bunch of noise and flash but no result.
Although "Second Life" may have some practical uses - it's now being used for distance learning and job training purposes - most of it is a waste of time, distracting people from the real world to indulge in purchasing virtual sex toys and designer clothes. Time wasted in a virtual world could be spent strengthening real relationships with real people or trying to get ahead in the real world.
But, maybe vampirism isn't your thing. Perhaps prostitution is more your speed. Maybe the idea of selling your body always excited you, but it was a secret that could not be revealed in your real life. After all, you have family and friends to consider.
"Second Life" is a virtual world where players create and play with avatars, expressing themselves in just about every imaginable way. One can fly, live extravagantly, visit Amsterdam - the possibilities are endless. As a friend put it, "You can do anything in your second life that you can't do in your first."
In September 2009, "Second Life" celebrated a milestone, with both 1 billion hours spent in the virtual world and the equivalent of $1 billion spent between users since the world came to life in 2003. This is equivalent to 115,000 years spent in the virtual world.
Apparently, the thought of living outside the ordinary has intrigued many. CNN reported the virtual world had over 16 million registered users in 2008. The only catch is that it's as real as flying pigs - which is not at all.
There are thousands of stories where a secret desire has been fulfilled in "Second Life." Creating a basic account, which is free, allows users to interact with other avatars and inhabit the world. Users have to be 18 to have a "Second Life" account, but a teen version of the virtual world also exists. Different types of accounts can be created, allowing users to buy land in the world's currency, known as "Linden dollars."
Living life in a fantasy world is equivalent to George W. Bush's presidency - a bunch of noise and flash but no result.
Although "Second Life" may have some practical uses - it's now being used for distance learning and job training purposes - most of it is a waste of time, distracting people from the real world to indulge in purchasing virtual sex toys and designer clothes. Time wasted in a virtual world could be spent strengthening real relationships with real people or trying to get ahead in the real world.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 22
Tateru Nino
posted 1/14/10 @ 6:39 AM CST
Well, *slightly* irrational perhaps. :)
Actually, it puts me in mind of when I was younger. Parents would tell their kids to stop talking on the phone, and instead have 'real' conversations with 'real' people - and business-people wouldn't do any important business on the phone, that all had to be done in person. (Continued…)
Bernard Broono
posted 1/14/10 @ 11:59 AM CST
I would like to invite Ms. Myers to come 'inworld' so that she can talk with my friends and me about her views about Second Life. It has been my experience that some people do come abuse this technology. (Continued…)
Tom Layotn
posted 1/14/10 @ 2:50 PM CST
I love the title "Before starting a Second Life, work harder on the first one."
It reminds me of the time when my colleagues were so angry at me for teaching my high school students to "Word Process. (Continued…)
Josue Habana
posted 1/14/10 @ 3:15 PM CST
Continuing on from what Tateru said, I too invite Ms Myers in world. In fact, my last post on pixelscoop.net is indeed an open letter to her personally extending such an invite. (Continued…)
Aaron
posted 1/14/10 @ 4:31 PM CST
It really sounds like you've written your post without any first hand experience whatsoever. Come and see, what have you got to loose? Second Life is pretty much what you make of it. (Continued…)
Beth Goodier
posted 1/14/10 @ 6:43 PM CST
I am a 55 year old woman who is widowed. I have two grown children and a grandchild. (he's beautiful, BTW) I work full time as a receptionist in a retirement community. (Continued…)
Barbara
posted 1/14/10 @ 10:22 PM CST
I really liked the article about a second life. I am a middle school teacher and everyone, parents and children, are stuck behind a computor way too much. (Continued…)
Lauren Weyland
posted 1/15/10 @ 6:55 AM CST
It is interesting to read a review by someone unqualified to write it. Ms. Myers either found her experience in SL (if she even came in) parallel to her FirstLife and chose to be a prostitute. (Continued…)
Bugstomper Shepherd
posted 1/15/10 @ 12:39 PM CST
Dear Karen,
reading your article clearly denotes the fact that you have absolutely NO IDEA of what Second Life is.
Maybe you should have done some reserch BEFORE putting togheter that bunch of words you dare to call 'article'. (Continued…)
Effie
posted 1/15/10 @ 12:40 PM CST
In our society today were everyone thinks they can write about any topic, I really wish that people that are not experienced would refrain from writing for or against a topic. (Continued…)
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