I found the concept of A better world in Second Life to be very interesting. Personally, I do not feel that these activist projects can effect change- I think that they are a good way to maybe spread the word but as for it effecting people I am not so sure. Those who are involved in these second life rallies may feel that it effects change but there are so many people who are not accessing Second Life that I really cant see effecting change in the masses. In my opinion Second Life is a social tool that has gone too far and one that disconnects people from the real world. I think that they only way to effect change is to be proactive- I would think that even talking to one person a day about your cause would have more of an effect than having a rally outside a Virtual Capital Hill jumping up and down and waving around posters- while sitting on your butt in front of the computer screen.
I really liked the concept of the Peace and Justice Center- I like the idea that people can go to one place and find others who may have gone through the same thing as they did and that this can possibly lead to some closure of the wounds through sharing, or just a support system. I also think the fact that Second Life allows people to feel like they are achieving something in life that they could not achieve otherwise. While I think these people should push harder to accomplish their goals in their real life sometimes it is easier for an individual to feel comfortable when it is not their face and voice that goes with the action and it allows more people to be heard.
I agree, I don't really think protests and rallies in a virtual world have any effect in reality. It may make people feel good about themselves because they believe that they are supporting a good cause, but at the same time, the virtual life may just be an escape from reality in which someone can fulfill the imperfections of their own lives with a virtual character.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well as disagree in a way. On one side, my point of view is directed towards your statement about rallies and protests as, not on the naive side but more leaning towards the idea behind speaking ones mind gets a message across, whether its in-front of 3 people or 300,000 people.
ReplyDeleteJustin, i agree with your last sentence regarding the virtual life being an escape from ones reality. It makes complete sense and I'm glad you brought that point up because it broaden my views about Second Life. Made me think about it in a different light.
i couldnt agree more with you. it doesnt hurt to be part of a fun virtual community where you can exhaust your fantasies and have some fun but to go as far as trying to be activist and affect change in the real world through this second life concept!! that doesnt make sense to me.
ReplyDeletelet's try tp be mpre proactiv in real life, at least that can lead to sensible consequences.
Another way to think about the virtual capital hill protest is as a networking event for second life activists -- they can meet each other and share resources later, either in second life or in real life.
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