“Study on Second Life and the pursuit of happiness”

Its interesting to think that people use SL are happy people in their real lives. I would assume that most that are attracted to such programs are people that have a hard time integrating themselves into the real world. This study is a complete study as they said and not a complete sample so I not sure that I can be persuaded by its argument. I feel those who are happy in their really lives would maybe yes use this site for fun but not use it as often as they say. Another interesting aspect of the article was the use of SL for sexual experimenting. I feel this only cements the theory that people would only use this site if they were missing some aspect in their real life and they found that SL could fill it. No one is their real selves in this world of SL from what I understand even your name is different. I feel that it’s the double life aspect that it gives people that attracts them to this site.

“CORRECTED - New avatar registrations outpace SL usage”

This article gives me the feeling of old man dressing like a rapper trying to be cool. Using a virtual world for a stage for your political platform seems to me like their trying to hard to push their ideas on all people. They do describe the space as a stage for discussion it maybe that they are really just trying create an open forum for people to talk freely about politics. Politics are always a very touchy subject so when they say that they are going to avoid protests they I believe are going to discover that such a thing is not possible. Politics are everywhere and politicians use all outlets to get to people this I feel is just another way to promote themselves and there ideas to the people.

“Charity raises funds with homeless avatar”

This article is interesting because it is just like using SL for political awareness in the pervious article but for civil service. In a time where technology such as SL is popular and reach a global audience I understand that this can be seen as a great outlet to promote awareness about various issues. I feel that this was a great idea to use technology to ones advantage and its even better that people pay attention and helped. When presented with a issue directly in form that also means something to them is a great way to get people to care.

“Virtual reality TV: Big Brother to launch in SL”

Ah! Reality TV has invaded another venue! I don’t understand why people would be interested in watching a reality show in a world that is based on creating you own reality. What exactly is the point to put a reality in a non-reality world.

“Legal analysis of gambling in Second Life”

It is interesting that one could exchange Linden dollars to real money I would like to know how that works. We can see from this article that the internet might be a free intangible realm but it is as real as the world outside of it. Having to yield to real laws SL is facing problems just like all those who are successful. It seems that lately people are jumping at the chance to get the internet moguls in some kind of legal bind .

“Europe takes lead in Second Life users”

After reading all these articles I’m starting to see that there is no real separation between the virtual world and the real world. With programs like SL online that blurs the lines it has become more then a virtual world. The gain of users seems to be based on the “why” factor. As article points out the gain in French residents was because of the presidential elections. People use SL to be able to voice their opinions rather to use it for fun. This kind of use of the program shows that the internet is a great way for people to say and do whatever they want without any inhibitions.

Annotations

Rape in Cyberspace

Dibbell brings up the very important point that technology is becoming more then a virtual world it is playing a very reel role in our world. Is it a real crime if it happens in a virtual world? It seems that after reading these articles that real laws are coming into play in governing the free world of cyberspace. People have taken advantage of the internet to do whatever they want and if there is no limits sit then people could commit crimes and never get punished. Dibbell wants people to be educated about the culture of cyberspace to bring order to what seems an world of chaos.

The Virtual Community

I would have never thought that you could relate playing online games with personality disorder. Rheingold looks closely at the real life relationships, social relationships and the decisions that go into that process. He says that most that find themselves attracted to the cyber world are people who presenting themselves differently from the people they are outside. They are not restricted by the social boundaries that one must deal with in the real world. They can establish a personality that they see fit and the way the cyber world is build gives them that opportunity. It is a complete removal from the limitations that we face in the real world.