The Allure of Second Life
So the other day in class, we discussed MMUVEs (Massively Multiuser Virtual Environments) and MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) and in particular an Internet-based virtual environment called, Second Life.
If you’re unfamiliar to Second Life, prepare to be awed. I know I was. Apparently it’s like The Sims Online, but even more complex, custumizable, and even profitable.
This parallel, virtual world has it’s own rules, social system, economy, even laws of physics. You can create a completely customizable avatar, buy and sell virtual land, meet your virtual soul-mate, –and even fly!
Here’s a slightly comical news story on Second Life that aired on BBC:
Basically, if you can dream it, it’s possible in this Internet-based cyber-world…
I made my own Second Life resident named, Damien Axel. He looks nothing like me in the real world, but it certainly is an interesting concept to have a completely different-looking alter-ego. 
Here’s some screenshots:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/MateriaBladeVII/Random%20Images/DamienAxel001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/MateriaBladeVII/Random%20Images/DamienAxel002.jpg
I’m still figuring out all the mechanics of the program but the possibilities definitely seem endless and I can see how people can get lost in the moment, becoming totally consumed by its alluring potential…
The concept of a virtual parallel world brings about an interesting debate. If crimes are committed in a simulated imaginary environment such as this, should the person responsible in the real world be held accountable? If so, would the consequences for such an action in the virtual world be as severe as it would to someone who committed it in the real world? Hmmm…
(Comment, please!)
