SLowly resembling FL?
A presentation that provides a good overview of the uses of SL. Any surprises?
Friday, February 12, 2010
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A presentation that provides a good overview of the uses of SL. Any surprises?
3 comments:
Following last week's lecture and my first encounter of SL, I'm not sure I can understand any benefits to this, but maybe many pitfalls. I am intrigued to who is attracted to it and why, and does their regular involvement in such things make their "real" life less and less acceptable? Is it a way of burying their heads in the sands for some people? Escape from what they can't or won't face up to in their "real" lives? Does it make people less sociable, living in cyber society? I am looking forward to finding out more, and experiencing it for myself, even though I just want to know, "why?"
Interesting points, Billie. From my knowledge (and experience) it's 'Motivation, Motivation, Motivation' (Cue bots of Kirsty and Phil).....plus ability to self-monitor and regulate. Like with all things, generalisations are, largely, inherently invalid.
I can see benefits: A large number of the housebound and disabled use it to allow them a sense of 'socializing' and 'normality' (check out the Aspergers' Community at 'Brigadoon). It's been used to facilitate and enhance learning and business opportunities. It's been succesffuly used in desensitisation therapy (for such as social phobia and agoraphobia - as such it can be used to make people MORE sociable)...and, for those with a satisfactory offline life, it can be just good old fun (I always liken it to dressing up a doll and playing with a doll's house). It is, in itself, perfectly benign. But, as you imply, for others, it will be an unwise escape and thus possibly a vehicle to maladpative interaction with it. Humans alays seek escape from 'pain' or 'stress' in one way or another. Not always a bad thing IF it's a temporary release from pressure, but dreadfully unhealthy if that escape method prevents addressing real life issues that make one unhappy / dissatisfied.
There are many benefits if you are open-minded to Second Life ... as Neuro already mentioned housebound people gain great benefits which in turn, as confidence grows, could lead to them escaping their homes and socialising. If you look up Buffy Bye she will be more than willing to share all the work that is done for women on SL (she is part od Bridges ... a volunteer org.)
http://www.bridgesforwomen.ca/
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