By Myra Layfield
Published on November 7, 2007
A new way to communicate is being introduced to our society. A three-dimensional world via internet takes instant messaging to another level. The popular cyber-world known as “Second Life” was created by Linden Research Inc. in 2003, and for the last year has been taking the world by storm.
This virtual world, found at www.secondlife.com, was originally created as a social networking experiment, inspired by the cyberpunk literary movement, principally “Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson. The designers wanted to create a world similar to Stephenson’s “Metaverse,” where users could not only communicate but also do business, play, and interact as society does in actuality.
The creators of “Second Life” have given its users complete creative license to construct and shape this computer-generated world as they desire. Users craft their own environments (known as islands) and people (known as avatars or residents). This includes buildings, clubs, drinks, stores, clothes, and nearly everything that exists in actual society. “Second Life” users are even able to spend and earn virtual money (known as Linden Dollars), which can be converted to actual money courtesy of PayPal.
The department head of the PJC Learning Resource Center, Dr. Sandra Davis, has been keeping up with this new technological trend. Although Davis is a mere three months old in the “Second Life” realm, she has already become fascinated by the game and what it means for the future.
“I am optimistic about ‘Second Life’,” Davis said. “I think it has so much potential. I would like to share what I know about it with other librarians.”
Davis believes the technological advancement happening in social-networking will change our society by introducing new means of interaction.
“I recently attended a concert at Princeton University through ‘Second Life’ and enjoyed listening to the most gorgeous flute right here in my office,” Davis said.
“Second Life” attracts some users because of its “fantasy world” attributes such as the ability to fly, which calls to everyone’s inner child, and teleport one’s avatar wherever and whenever one wants. Also, “Second Life” residents love the ability to create their own physical appearance. The avatar is the ultimate way to express oneself, or one’s desires.
Not only does “Second Life” offer its users the ability to meet people from all around the world, but it also offers links such as the one between universities and its students.
“All Florida colleges take part in a state run catalogue, College Center for Library Automation (CCLA), which can be accessed from an island on ‘Second Life,’ where students can ‘Ask a Librarian,” Davis said. The “Ask a Librarian” feature helps colleges to “meet the students where they are,” Davis said.
As with anything, “Second Life” does have its conceivable pitfalls. Because its creators give its users the ability to create their own virtual world, not every “island” or avatar is rated “PG.” Residents are at liberty to run free in their “birthday suits” and give birth to any sexual desires that they might be harboring.
For the most part, all triple “X” material is confined to certain islands. If users find themselves in an undesirable place or situation, there is always a way out, and avatars always have the ability to report abuse.
“I like the idea that they are concerned,” Davis said.
To some, what is most important about this cyber world is that it provides its users with an escape from the everyday routine. For others, “Second Life” is seen as a stepping stone for a new kind of technologically connected world, where everything is 3D. Either way, “Second Life” is something that both would recommend trying.
For those who feel technologically inept, many will claim that the residents in “Second Life” act as a community of help.
“Everyone is most helpful, perhaps because they all went through the same adjustment period,” Davis said. As many experience, most avatars will take time to help newcomers with any questions they might have.
“Second Life” is breaking down barriers of ethnicity, income, age, social states, and personal background, and it is sweeping the world.
“It really is fascinating,” Davis said.