My So Called Life

[dotinthesky]

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.

Comments

Duran Duran

[noondaydemon.livejournal.com]

I love "Ordinary World"!!! In fact, I'm going to listen to it right now xxx

Re: Duran Duran

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I'm more of an early days Duran Duran fan, but I don't mind "Ordinary World" - it's a staple of Magic FM!

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

I share this feeling but I also agree with Ollie that, if used right, it could be a Good Thing.

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).

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

It's actually easier to set up and use than Livejournal, ironically enough!

It's free too.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

If you do decide to give it a whirl, let me know when so I can log in too and chat with you there!

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

Cool. :) I'll see tonight if I can do it. I don't know if I've got the right equipment (I don't have a mic or anything).

But it would be lovely to dance with you and Dingo... ;)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Maybe we can open a lapdance club together and get Dingo to be our first customer.

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!

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

SL Lapdance Club = win!

Argh, just looked at my calendar and it turns out I have a nightschool course on the 28th! :(((

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Ok, well just let me know which other days are good for you.

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

Sorry, my class schedule is really confusing. I thought it was every 3 weeks but it seems to have switched to every 2. :(

I could do the 29th?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

That day is good for me too! Should we aim for a 7pm session somewhere central?

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

Perfect. Wherever it's on in Central London is good with me! :D

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I'll drop you a message on the 28th so we can check which cinemas still carry it. Should be fun!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

It is freaky. I chose to enter the Hyde Park world, because it was set in London. A chick was there to say hello to me and suddenly there was some guy called Conrad running around and demanding to know how he could change his appearance. Nearby there was a gathering of people talking, and their voices kept drifting in and out of my computer - depending if I was looking their way or not... very ghostly and strange.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Yes, definitely not recommended!

[sallypointzero.livejournal.com]

'virtual environments are perfect for senior citizens'

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)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

If I spent my whole day outdoors, or doing something non-computer related, I'd take to it with my whole heart. But to come home after 8+ hours in front of a computer... and sit in front of another computer - well, it just kills me.

[petercampbell.livejournal.com]

With you on that one, though lots of people seem to be able to do it. The likes of Second Life stike me as being one of those horrible, addictive things that pull you in and leave you with noi real life at all though.