The second life, a world of money, sex,
gambling and retail- it’s no different to the real world, but then is that what
were looking for? What is the real world anymore? It seems what was once a parallel
of real and ‘unreal’ is slowly overlapping. It wont be long before were lost in
a paradigm shift and unsure of where we belong.
In the beginning I thought the attraction
was one of self consciousness; someone’s ability to morph themselves into an
alias that replicated a person they wished they were. They take the form of an
avatar and create friendships and have sex via this virtual world, to
compensate for their lack of, within the real world. Yet after some very
INTERETSING research I found there is a whole other side to this world, that
sees advertising boom, companies marketing and even a currency that can be
converted into US dollars (ABC net, 2012).
Businesses use the site to not only promote
their products but also sell. American apparel have stores where people can buy
shoes for their avatars, Canadian mobile teller Telus sell mobiles. This is
done so for market research, trend spotting and to generate feedback, before a
product is released worldwide (Spicoli 2006). As Rheingold discusses;
businesses can benefit from sharing services and ideas in a virtual world, and
the second life provides this outlet. Finally I am beginning to see some
productivity to ‘the second life’, rather than just a space for people to hide
behind an avatar identity.
Through pure amazement that the ‘second
life’ even existed I decided to create my own sim for a mini-experiment. As any
keen Gen-Y-ian would do, I delved myself even further into the social media
world:
Meet my avatar, Tara31 (note: i do not have blue eyes, or blonde hair, but I thought she looked prettier that way)
In the beginning I found it bizarre, as I
was even able to navigate my avatar around using the keyboard. The further I
progressed through the introductory pages the more the avatar was beginning to
feel apart of me- I didn’t like it.
Then another avatar approached me and I had
my first conversation; it was brief, they complimented me on my hair and we
went our separate ways- I was flattered.
A few days passed and I idled my way
through the second life, having conversations and visiting stores (window
shopping of course). But there was one aspect of this ‘life’ that intrigued me-
sex! It was beyond me that it was possible, yet it was so prevalent via the
site and I found myself (my avatar) being asked for sex daily (I did not
partake)! According to research in the month of December avatars had sex
680,000 times a day (Clevvergames 2012) CRAZY!
As my week on the second life came to an
end, I found myself attached to my avatar, and I could also see how this site
could take over and consume a person- I destroyed my avatar right away. Theorist Baudrillard emphasizes this
type of hyperreality can disconnect us from real emotions and It scared me how
you could create your ideal world in cyberspace, and that people were dabbling
financially within it. By the end of the week I was emotionally attached, yet
to what? And to whom? This hyperreality engulfed me and I found myself
distancing myself from the world around me. As a society we are already so
caught up in social media such as Facebook and Twitter, but this was beyond
anything I had ever experienced, and if I want to live my own life, it is
better that I steer clear of the ‘second’.
Clevvergames (2012) The
Sims have more Sex then You. [video online] Available at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlBkhZgaGNU [Accessed: 28 January 2013].
ABC net: Four Corners
(2012) You Only Live Twice. [video online] Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20070319/default_full.htm
[Accessed: 28 January 2013].
Spicoli, S. (2006) Introduction
to the Second Life (Historical View). [video online] Available at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b72CvvMuD6Q [Accessed: 28 January 2013].
I completely agree with you about the dangers of virtual worlds such as 'second life'. I too tried my hand at it about 12 months ago, but I did not have the attention span to sit there and play it for hours! Its quite worrying how addictive these world's can become, and what people are getting up to under the gise of an avatar!
ReplyDeleteAnother beautifully written blog Tara. Well done for joining up and giving it a try on Second life. This subject is freaking me out - sending me a bit crazy really - trying to figure out where these worlds fit in! And Mandy, I am still laughing at your effort too!
ReplyDeleteInteresting experiment and how easy it is to beceom attached to your avatar. I tried playing a virtual world game once but just didnt have the attention span to dedicate myself to it - much preferred the real world
ReplyDeleteI also tried Second Life as part of this week's topic, but I didn't really see the attraction. I'm amazed by your completely different experience of it - and the fact that you were propositioned on a daily basis! It really makes you wonder what the motivation is for people to partake of these virtual worlds - is it to explore another identity, or just to randomly hook up with attractive avatars? I also find it interesting that by the end of the week you destroyed your avatar, rather than get sucked in to this second life so that it overtook your first (and real) life. It's certainly a thought-provoking topic, and a little scary if you ask me!
ReplyDeleteIm glad we all seem to be on the same page! it is such a scary idea, that someone can forfeit living their 'real' life for their ideal virtual one. as for the 'propositioning' NO THANKYOU! i felt perveted, like I was pimping someone out....or better yet pimping myself out. I have a boyfriend, and is it just me or does anyone else feel as though that would be cheating!
ReplyDeleteGreat work. I find avatar use and development fascinating and was shocked to see the lengths people will go to join various groups and communities within Second Life. The use of customs and rituals really baffled me considering the Second Life allows total freedom and flexibility if one desires to use it that way. I have never joined Second Life, but after reading your blog I am intrigued by your experiences and considering checking it out. I'll keep you posted.
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