The Disruptive Power of Second Life
Imagine a world in which it is possible to transform (create) yourself into anything imaginable. Wealth, creativity, fashion, popularity, attractiveness can all be yours if you are willing to step into the virtual world of Second Life.
According to Dr. Thornburg a disruptive technology is a new technology with the same functionality of an existing technology, but it is able to function more efficiently and eventually obsoletes the existing technology (Laureate Education Inc., 2009). In applying this definition to Second Life one must first determine what innovation it is displacing.
While it can be agreed upon that creating and living in a virtual world creates quite a disruption from the norm, what is it obsolescing precisely? Philip Rosedale (2008) describes Second Life as a place so different that anything could happen, and often does. Currently there are approximately 250,000 users mingling, transacting, networking all in an avatar body and in a virtual world.
While Second Life may not be a reality based organization it does provide the user with many opportunities, including real-life business, religious organizations, services and platforms to attend meetings (Rosedale, 2008). Therefore, Second Life will disrupt the manner in which people begin to congregate, learn, complete transactions and business dealings. By creating an avatar and joining the virtual world people will no longer need to attend meeting s at the office or worship at a predetermined time. Second Life will afford the member freedom from constraints of reality.
Since Second Life is still an emerging technology and not fully emerged into the general main stream population, I feel it will have several years before another technology arrives on the scene to make it obsolete.
Second Life has many benefits as well as tentative downfalls. On the negative side, this type of platform allows for anyone to create an avatar and assume an alternate personality. This alter ego has little to no repercussions in the real world for situations that arise while in Second Life, making it an excellent means for pedophiles, sex offenders, and those suffering with mental illness to lure in victims or deceive others. On the flip side, the positive possibilities are endless and include virtual classroom collaboration, instruction, meetings, worship services etc. By creating an avatar those with limited mobility or lack of transportation can connect with others and collaborate openly. Avatars can join schools and visit museums, galleries, parks. The possibilities are endless so long as common cautions are taken just as with any other social networking site.
References:
Rosedale, P. (2008). retrieved from http://www.ted.com/speakers/philip_rosedale.html.
Rosedale, P. (2008). Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.
Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Disruptive Technologies”. Emerging and future technologies, Baltimore: Author Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=4246563&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1.
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Hi, Jane!
ReplyDeleteYou make some great points about Second Life. One thing that I want to mention is that Teen Second Life is separate world where adults are not allowed. My nephew has an avatar there and he loves it! I have to run him off of my computer at times. I know that pedophiles can breach areas like this, but I have talked with him about it and he will let me know if anything occurs that is questionable. These people are to be reported immediately.
Also, as for the adult Second Life, they have moved the mature areas to a level that is above the main land area. I thought this was great since the educational aspects of Second Life are the fastest growing areas. I think that Linden Labs sees the opportunities for businesses and educational experiences and they are working to keep the environment as safe as possible. Each area is labeled just as a movie would be, so you know before you teleport or fly into it! (I love flying and teleporting!)
I hope that you will check out my blog and view the video about some of the learning disabled adults and what they have done in Second Life. I have visited their Heron Center and it is beautiful.
Cynthia
Cynthia
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention it...I thought your blog was awesome! Also, guess I will have to revisit Second Life as it has been awhile. The changes you mention are promising, especially for the educational platform.
jane
Jane,
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are several great aspects of Second Life you mentioned an excellent negative to Second Life, which was the ability for anyone and everyone to create an avatar or an alternate personality, which has no repercussions in the real world for situations that occur in Second Life. That is why I believe although it is great that we can collaborate, communicate, interact and socialize through these programs we must limit the information that we share about ourselves with people when engaging online.