Second Life

So I was listening to my NPR podcast* at lunch and the show was about how entertainment media is all about Reality right now. They had a segment about blogging being an element of the Reality craze which is something I had never really thought of. I suppose it is though... I mean blogging is definitely about normal, everyday people writing about their daily lives as some form of entertainment - even if the stories are just about their kids growing up or discussing the fact that they had a good traffic morning.

The next segment commentator discussed his years long study of the website Second Life. Have you ever heard of this? I am absolutely amazed that the website is not talked about more. This was my first introduction to it. Basically, it is a virtual world where you can create your own identity, make friends, build a house, get married, etc., etc. I realize it sounds kind of strange but his report highlighted the fact that it is a really effective social interaction tool. He pointed out that people who have limitations in face to face interactions, whether they be physical or mental handicaps, are able to develop strong friendships in Second Life without the burden of their handicap.

I don't foresee myself going out to create my own Second Life avatar (the way that you present yourself within the website) but I have to say that I love this idea. I love that technology is allowing people different ways of forging friendships around the world. Another really practical example that the reporter gives is that people learning Chinese can go spend time in the Chinese section of Second Life and practice their speaking skills. How cool is that?

So many people in the older generations today look at our current culture and shake their heads. They believe that we have no future. I disagree. We have an amazing future - it is just not the same one that they have known. Things are changing so fast in today's world it is hard to keep up but it is stuff like this that makes me so interested to see what our world is like in 50 years. If nothing else, it gives me hope that people will have more patience and understanding for others - other people, other cultures, other belief systems, etc. Friendship is the strongest unifying force I know and this is a great tool for friendship.

*By the way, listening to podcasts is my new solution to hearing what I want on NPR while effectively avoiding the news which is what stresses me out. It is great! I can subscribe to my favorite shows, they download directly into iTunes and then I upload them onto my iPod and listen to them whenever I want. I love technology! Just don't make fun of me if you see me driving down the road with my earbuds in my ears...