My avatar, Layne Liotta, and I had quite the repulsive first Second Life experience. Some guy named Blackjack couldn't stop grabbing Layne's rear. He made us look like two mating drangonflies. Annoying.
Here it goes… I'm going to flat out say it. Second life… I'm just not that in to you. I'm not a gamer but some say it's not a game, and that's fine. Call it what you may because either way I don't want to play.
Where's the truth? Surely not in Obama's avatar's crotch.Photo: S. Quante
Here's the brutal honesty of Second Life:
- It's a waste of money Why spend real money to get Lindens for a virtual person? I'll never get to really wear the Armani clothes. Not happening, I'll shop for myself before I shop for Layne.
- It's a procrastination tool We definitely do not need more of those in our lives. I can't waste time, I need all the time I can get.
- Do you really not have anything else to do? I live in the first life. You know, the one where I have loads of homework and a job.
- Where's the truth? Everyone you meet has a fake name and I know not everyone in this virtual world is skinny and tall, yet most avatars are. Interesting. It's tricky to find what's fake and what's real in a place like Second Life when most people are posing as something/someone they're not.
I never thought I would see the day where "true" journalism can exist in fake world. It blows my mind that the Second Life Herald and Reuters are considered forms are real journalism. If I wanted to be a part of a story I could probably convince anyone that I'm Paris Hilton's second cousin.
Another thing that itches me is that there are real events happening in the real world. Perhaps some people should stick their head out of the virtual game that has no conclusive point and catch up with what's really going on around them. I just don't understand how "reporters" can turn virtual, fake events into what they call "real news" because there are bigger, better things happening in real life.
I'm one of those who just don't get it. Layne Liotta is going to have to find a way to entertain herself because I'm surely not going to be her 24/7 personal tour guide around Second Life. I need to chauffer my own butt through the real world. Sorry Layne.
So how did Layne respond to Blackjack? Could that have been the story? Unsolicited sexual advances in SL?
Oh that really is a story all on its own, but I think I would need a completely different blog to get started on that one.
Surely people use SL in ways I don't even want to imagine...