The Second coming

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2007-04-01-second-life-religion_N.htm

Thinking about Bokononism in Kurt Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle"

"See the cat? See the cradle?"

The line refers to the children's string game, and how it illustrates neither a cat nor a cradle. Newt, a character is frustrated how, since birth, we are told to believe with no tangible evidence. A false religion, led by a "profit" named Bokonon, weaves itself into the narrative. With a skeptical eye, the reader finds themselves criticizing, but very much believing the teachings of the religion, while the narrative very blatantly exposes it as bullshit.

So why should I, as an outside observer, begin to take stock in this obviously bogus religion. Is it my immediate ability to trust? My willingness to go along for the ride? My need and desire for some sort of outside guidance? It could be a combination of a lot of factors, but then I begin to wonder, is everyone this vulnerable?

So. Religion has popped up in Second Life. It's not a new thing, and I'm sure the following isn't overwhelming, but it's still a significant happening in my eyes. The link above talks about it, but I'm sure there are plenty of supplementary articles. I'm intrigued by the desire for that sort of guidance in a virtual space, and the notion of replication in the world.

Just thoughts right now.

Two worlds for the price of one!

Firstly, in running around through Second Life and google searches, this has to be one of my favorite finds:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Amity%20Island/229/122/25

It is a second run horror movie theatre, streaming very high quality flicks. Last week,

they were showing Tarantino's "Death Proof", this week is Dario Argento's "Phenomena."

You can get free popcorn, chips, drinks, or other snacks to attach to yourself, on top

of buyable movie posters, cardboard cutouts, and haunted house type things.

It's a nice visit, and fun to cruise around the rest of the theatre.

Another interesting location is this Spaceflight Museum.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spaceport%20Alpha/134/159/62

Not sure who owns it but I know it's not a NASA thing. It's wild how something like this can go on to look so official (and make money) without having much ground in the real world. Who knows who made it! It could be someone's crazy computer programmer grandpa who got bored over a few weekends.

Secondly, back to first life!

http://www.thesultanselephant.com/about/royaldeluxe.php

Royal De Luxe is a large-scale, European puppet theatre. Through engineering and performance, the company is able to (without warning) transport an entire bustling city street t0 a crosstown story, enveloping their entire audience in their world.

I think it's an astounding example of a virtual world designed within our own world, one that can fully engage the people viewing it, and may trigger an emotional response through story or scale alone.

Of course, there is a god figure involved to control the world, but this harks back to the puppet/puppeteer relationship we discussed last class. Is Royal De Luxe, in mounting these large scale city-altering impromptu showcases, controlling their giant beasts, and their audience as well?

Identity Crisis

I'm discovering that shopping for clothes in Second Life is making me nearly as tense as in real life. While it is exciting and fresh to pick up new threads, I believe I adopted my father's "get-in, get-out" attitude towards the "mall." I've taken a break from shopping to update the blog now.

That said, two factors are advising my current avatar's appearance:

1. Second Life has only reinforced to me that I am very uncomfortable with being in one place at one time. I'm antsy and indecisive and the most available respite from this tends to be attempted humor. This frustrates me even now, in Second Life, because I find myself getting worked up over something as silly as choosing a definite look for my avatar. I wouldn't say that my lack of finality comes from a lack of care...more so apprehension under what feels like a very real pressure. It's wild that here and now the game can affect someone like this.

2. I am currently eating a cheeseburger.

This avatar was only $79L and was available alongside a slew of edible characters, each priced at $79L under the "Complete Monsters" category on marketplace.secondlife.com.

It will most likely not be the last of my incarnations, which currently include a small owl, a ninja, and a rockstar in a leather jacket. (All marvels of Second Life coding and artistry in my opinion.)

My avatar's name, "VincentCarroltheThird", was far more decisive. My father's name is Vincent Carrol Bowhers Jr.. Grandfather, of course, being the senior. If dad had had his way, I would have been Vincent Carrol Bowhers III. My being named John instead has greatly influenced me as of late, particularly as I've begun to notice my fathers traits in my everyday life. I wonder if I can live up to his expectations and accomplishments, and tend to gauge myself against him.

Segunda Vida es Sueno

Stuff got really weird, really fast. The facebook phenomenon, the text message break up, and of course the great and mysterious beast that is targeted marketing. I'm so interested in the social shift that's occurring as we delve further and further in to a two-planed existence, that seems even at this point, hard to keep up with. I would like to explore the impacts of this world inside our world, on the arts, relationships, work and education. Looking forward to looking through an aesthetic and anthropological lens in order to make some sense of a rapidly evolving environment.

Danger Will Robinson,

You're getting damn close to being excessively cute.

This one's for the BB Gun.

Much love, enjoy.

http://www.jeanyveslemoigne.com/

so much rolling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyCVe4GPT4k