Second Living

I’ve been hearing about MMOGs (massively multiplayer online games) off and on for some time, so I finally dove in. Second Life isn’t exactly a game, but more on that later. A few things got me interested, primarily book talk events with authors and the fact that there is some academic interest in the place.

You could call SL a 3D chat space (actually 2.5D since it’s not in stereo, but that’s a pretty nerdy distinction). Beyond chatting and pimping your avatar, SL has a few things going for it that are interesting. There is a real emphasis on creativity and skill in modeling 3D objects and landscapes including art installations, gardens, and other ethereal landscapes that are pretty impressive. The most obvious aspect, however, is crass commercialism - casinos, tons of shopping for virtual kitsch and a preponderance of adult content. For those unfamiliar - the money in SL is quite real - about 300 “Linden dollars” to the US dollar - see this recent Business Week article.

I’d like is to find some like-minded folks to connect with - so if you’re in Second Life send me an email (emtrevino — gmail).