My So Called Life
Sep. 17th, 2009 08:23 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Last night, I visited Second Life for the first time. I did it because a friend suggested I beta test Blue Mars, a cross between WoW and SL, and since I've never played any of these games I thought it would be a good idea to see how Second Life works.
My first impression was good, but soon I got freaked out as people's voices popped in and out of my computer - usually inane conversation with thick London accents. Five minutes into it, a guy called Dingo introduced himself, said he was a hopeless romantic and asked if he could dance with me for ten minutes (I chose to play as a blonde chick), and soon afterwards he was asking if we could go somewhere more "quiet" and "romantic".
He also said he had started SL three weeks ago, was hopelessly addicted and loving it. I ended up falling into a pond by accident and not being able to fly out of it, so I logged out.
I managed to take only one photo - during my Salsa dance with Dingo (he reminded me a little of Peter Andre).

I spend all day in front of a computer... I'm not sure I want to come home and do the same! I think I'll just stick with my books for now.
However, I was thinking this morning: these virtual environments are perfect for senior citizens. There's that mixture of freedom of movement with the ability to share ideas, start projects or just chat which I think would appeal a lot to them - if it was introduced the right way.
My first impression was good, but soon I got freaked out as people's voices popped in and out of my computer - usually inane conversation with thick London accents. Five minutes into it, a guy called Dingo introduced himself, said he was a hopeless romantic and asked if he could dance with me for ten minutes (I chose to play as a blonde chick), and soon afterwards he was asking if we could go somewhere more "quiet" and "romantic".
He also said he had started SL three weeks ago, was hopelessly addicted and loving it. I ended up falling into a pond by accident and not being able to fly out of it, so I logged out.
I managed to take only one photo - during my Salsa dance with Dingo (he reminded me a little of Peter Andre).
I spend all day in front of a computer... I'm not sure I want to come home and do the same! I think I'll just stick with my books for now.
However, I was thinking this morning: these virtual environments are perfect for senior citizens. There's that mixture of freedom of movement with the ability to share ideas, start projects or just chat which I think would appeal a lot to them - if it was introduced the right way.
Duran Duran
on 2009-09-17 07:46 am (UTC)Re: Duran Duran
on 2009-09-17 10:11 am (UTC)no subject
on 2009-09-17 09:37 am (UTC)I've never used it myself though I have had a morbid curiousity about it ever since seeing the guy who made it give a talk about it a few years back. I should give it a whirl one night just to see what the fuss is about (but it always looks like such a faff to set up).
no subject
on 2009-09-17 10:10 am (UTC)It's free too.
no subject
on 2009-09-17 10:26 am (UTC)no subject
on 2009-09-17 10:55 am (UTC)But it would be lovely to dance with you and Dingo... ;)
no subject
on 2009-09-17 11:12 am (UTC)I'm at Neko Case tonight, so let me know what you think if you go for a whirl. Catch you later!
Oh, and 28th is fine for The Thing!
no subject
on 2009-09-17 11:25 am (UTC)Argh, just looked at my calendar and it turns out I have a nightschool course on the 28th! :(((
no subject
on 2009-09-17 12:53 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2009-09-17 01:04 pm (UTC)I could do the 29th?
no subject
on 2009-09-17 01:17 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2009-09-17 01:19 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2009-09-17 01:20 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2009-09-17 10:13 am (UTC)no subject
on 2009-09-21 03:41 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2009-09-17 09:38 am (UTC)I totally agree! electronic gaming* is absolutely suited to a sedentary life just as Wii resembles those gentle exercises tailored to OAPs.
But I think ur idea is probably the marketing guy's dream AND nightmare both.
(*not knocking it -- some of it's in the same category as chess)
no subject
on 2009-09-17 10:15 am (UTC)no subject
on 2009-09-17 05:57 pm (UTC)