Wylie's Words: Second Life

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Second Life

Second Life. Have you heard of it?
Last night, Jon Stewart was 'heckling' a new senate committee on virtual worlds -- that's right, the US Gov't has a committee for this... and they feel that the virtual world, Second Life, may be used as a recruitment ground for terrorist organizations.
WTF??????
So me, being me, immediately opened Laptop to check out this virtual world.

**TIME SUCK ALERT**
I made it as far as orientation, where my virtual ME, Wylie Pudles (you can chose your own first name but you must pick from a list of pre-made lastnames -- they all sucked) learned to walk, drive a car, and pick up objects. I got to alter my avatar face - the degrees to which you can change features is phenominal, - change my avatar clothes and shoes, and pick a body shape. Finally, the inner tall-muscular-endowed-fashionable beauty in me emerged from my dowdy housefrau self.
By this time my LOW Battery icon started flashing so I had to shut down. Yes... it took me 2 1/2 hours to do all that I mentioned above. And I hadn't even made it off Orientation Island. I still must learn to communicate and do a few other things before I can get to the 'real' virtual world. And then, presumably, go in search of terrorist recruiters?? I'm still shaking my head over this one. What are they going to do? Blow up a virtual building?
It's a pretty complex world... both of them.

I'd be interested to know if any of you have tried it and what your thoughts are. The entire time I was in it, I had this creepy Matrix feel... or that if I was in it too long I'd magically get sucked into it.

13 comments:

Kathleen Oxley said...: Second Life, and virtual worlds in general, fall into the category of things that I haven't really explored and don't particularly understand. I definitely get the time suck potential of it, though.

As to the senate committee and our government's theories - not sure I get that. But, not the first time, or the last, that my tax dollars are being spent in a manner that totally baffles me.; 12:26 p.m.
Anonymous said...: Oh wow, I hadn't heard about any of that. And I'm as befuddled as you are -- things like virtual worlds can be fun to play with, but why would a Senate Committee be needed? It all soundd Matrix-ey to me, too. Very bizarre!; 4:12 p.m.
Unknown said...: Oh no! I'm already addicted to the sims2 and this sounds like something that will suck the life out of me...I'm off to check it out! :); 5:47 p.m.
Bonnie Staring said...: Oh no, I ain't going there Wylie. I'm already afraid that Facebook would take over my life, and Second Life sounds way more... overwhelming. ;)

Have fun!; 11:22 p.m.
Tempest Knight said...: Oh c'mon! Hahaha! Virtual Worlds used to recruit terrorists? How about the war video games for our kids? Is that's the ARMY way to recruit soldiers?; 8:03 a.m.
pussreboots said...: I've heard of it and can't be bothered to try it. It doesn't appeal to me.; 5:50 p.m.
Amy Ruttan said...: I don't think I'll head there. I don't need any more reasons to procrastinate. LOL!!; 7:24 p.m.
Julia Phillips Smith said...: I've heard of it and can understand the draw for non-writers who discover a template within Second Life, one where they discover things about themselves.

I'm too busy myself to have a virtual life on top of the actual one already crammed with stuff, people and things on my never-ending to-do list.; 10:21 p.m.
Sparky Duck said...: SL is a time sucker, at least for a little while. Eventually you realize you are getting nowhere. Though if you are inot that RP stuff, its good; 10:27 p.m.
Dani said...: Hi Wylie!

When I started blogging I didn't want to use a picture of myself and I saw alot with those cute little book covers, of which I do not have yet. :( So I decided to use my avatar pic from yahoo.

They won't let me copy the picture, it's really cute btw. So I tried to get in one of those virtual worlds to create a new one that I could save and use anywhere. OMG, it sucked up my WHOLE day. And it was all a scam/ spam kind of thing.

UG, you're too brave to go exploring.; 10:20 a.m.
Wylie Kinson said...: Hi Dani - thanks for visiting my blog! Always nice to see new faces :) And no, not brave,... stupid.

Sparky - so you've taken walk on the dark side, eh? I haven't been back since the first time, and don't know that I will. No time to suck at the moment!

Julia - my sentiments exactly! I don't have time to do all that is required in my real world either!!
Maybe when my kids grow up I'll revisit. Then again, maybe I'll take up golf ;)

Pussreboots - vera wise

Tempest -- Oh, brilliant comment!! You're exactly spot-on!!!!; 11:36 a.m.
Wylie Kinson said...: Kathleen -- I think that as writers, we already have the whole 'virtual world' thing covered. I don't know about you, but I've got more characters in my head, usually chattering at me at 3am, than Second Life will ever have! :)

Hi Samantha - I've never tried Sims, and have a feeling I should probably stay VERY far away... ;)

Bonnie - Facebook clogs my inbox. Yours too? I rarely go on it anymore. The novelty, for me, has worn off.; 11:39 a.m.
Rene said...: I've been to Second Life before and thought it looked about as entertaining as watching paint dry. I understand the MMORPG's (see how cool I am that I can use that acronym? Things I learn from my 12 year old) attraction. My son is a big World of Warcraft fan, but there is a story to the game and it encompasses all those nerdy things people enjoy.

As for a recruitment tool for terrorists, um...I don't think so. But it is a nice marketing twist for the company who owns Second Life.; 1:23 a.m.