Second Life

http://tomrooksby.wordpress.com/

City of Bits

(click for image of ‘The Grid’ – the map of Second Life)

Second life is an internet based 3D virtual ‘metaverse’ - a term coined by Neal Stephenson in the novel Snow Crash. Second life is a user-built, user-defined world in which people meet, interact, socialise and create and trade virtual property. The Linden Dollar is the virtual currency used in-world and can be traded against the American dollar. This is one example of many physical interfaces between actual reality and virtual reality of the metaverse.

Having developed a population of more than 20 million accounts Second Life has aroused global interest – companies have invested large sums of money in developing staff training programmes, research projects have spawned by Universities investigating its use in higher education, bands and musicians have organised gigs and concerts for their virtual fans.

Often referred to as a game, this description does not fit the standard definition. It doesn’t have winners, losers, targets or scores. Or does it have a set of rules within which the game operates, lest that of the software restrictions. Or does it have a set arena in which the game is played, as the grid is constantly changing, growing and evolving. However it is this notion of ‘play’ that Second Life sparks interest – as an irrational entity that can be considered almost indulgent -it is place that this distinctly separate from ‘ordinary’ or ‘real’ life, it is temporary sphere of activity with a disposition of its own.

This is the description of Second Life taken from the website:

“What is Second Life?

Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe.

· From the moment you enter the World you’ll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you’ve explored a bit, perhaps you’ll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business.

· You’ll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow Residents. Because Residents retain the rights to their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other Residents.

· The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the in-world unit-of-trade, the Linden dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online Linden Dollar exchanges.

Welcome to Second Life. We look forward to seeing you in-world.”