SecondLife??

Call me old fashioned, but I really don’t understand what the appeal of SecondLife is. I know, I know, people come online to create a new image for themselves, slip into a different persona, and enjoy a new life for a change. But… Still, it’s not for me. I just see it as a waste of time. I read through the Four Corners transcript, and I see it was trying to inspire me to get excited about the phenomena that is SL. I read it with an open mind, but I am still not moved by the idea. At all!

Maybe I am young and naïve, but I just don’t know why some people need to turn to a ‘virtual life’ to satisfy themselves? How sitting in front of a computer, living a fake reality is somehow fulfilling? I don’t mean to offend anyone. I just don’t understand!

I imagine some people are living a life online that they feel they couldn’t have in real life… for example, some are promiscuous… I imagine in reality they might be married, or perpetually single – so perhaps SL has an element of wishful thinking attached? I’m young and fond of my life. I’m at that post-adolescent idealistic stage where I think I can be whatever and whoever I want to be. Could that be why I don’t want to join up?

I suppose it comes down to a different value system. I value my friends and family, my pets, my housemates, my house, my possessions, my garden… I love going to uni. I wont go as far as to say I love catching the bus and running down George St everyday, but you get the idea. I love life… It’s the best thing in the world. To me, what I achieve physically, mentally and emotionally in a day is much more important than what happens virtually. I’m not a virtual millionaire… but who cares?

No matter how much I read or how many testimonials I hear… I don’t think I will ever join SL. A brisk walk around my suburb, a coffee with friends, making my boyfriend smile, a stroll through the markets… That is what I enjoy. Not developing a weightless avatar in cyberspace.

“After a hasty makeover, the next lesson is how to communicate. In 'Second Life' you don't talk, you and your avatar type.
There's a parrot. Oh, "How to talk." "Hello...Polly". "Hello, Polly."
Polly didn't reply.” (Four Corners)

^^ I enjoy talking and I’m a terrible typist. I can’t imagine going even one day without a single conversation… My worst nightmare!

I suppose I think that spending hours online to me, is a waste of FIRST life.

[nb. This is my honest opinion, I don’t mean to disrespect any SL fans, I’m happy for you if you enjoy it! Hopefully this will provoke some comments though! Please disagree with me, I want to be enlightened!!]

References:
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2007/s1876134.htm