Virtual coat of armour required

I completely disagree with most of MJ's views on virtual worlds but the debate we've been having is lots of fun and it's always good to have your opinions challenged. I had a similar debate with another blogger via IM yesterday and its clear to me I'm going to be in the minority at the Second Life roundtable at BarCamp Ireland - South East in January.

I'd better bring my virtual shield along with me and hope that Sabrina Dent can make it so I'm not the only Second Life evangelist in the room ;-)

Comments

[MJ]

We still burn heretics you know...

We Northerners are reknowned for our tolerance of dissenting or differing viewpoints.

[walter]

Take a look at this Second Life promotional video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hQivAtkl8U

The kicker is the tagline in the closing seconds:

"Live your dreams...*only* in Second Life"

That's just too sad for words.

[Conor O'Neill]

I'm still in the deeply dubious category. I haven't even checked out Second Life yet but for a good reason, it all just reminds me too much of the buzz around Myst and Riven 10-11 years ago.

I fell for it that time and bought Riven, without a doubt the most boring aimless piece of rubbish I've ever spent my money on. But the hype around with was huge with magazine articles discussing "immersive", "overwhelming", "paradigm shift", "deep", "alternative worlds", yadda yadda, yawn.

The other issue I have is a sense of bandwagon, with everyone scared that it'll be the next big thing and they'll get left behind if they don't jump on now. Another attempt at a forced viral meme?

I'll check it out if you can answer one thing in the affirmative - can I shoot things?

[James Corbett]

"can I shoot things?"

Oh Lord help us! ;-)

[walter]

> I'll check it out if you can answer one thing in the affirmative - can I shoot things?

LOL.

The video features speed-boats and high-speed cars ! How do I get one of these James ?

The video also features two avatars canoodling. I'm trying to think of a scenario in which virtual canoodling (esp. when other avatars can see the canoodling) might be cool.
Nah - can't think of one.

[John Handelaar]

Extreme bus aversion notwithstanding, Sabrina signed up for Waterford today. Count me in the group which completely does not see the point of SL, but there's no denying that it's paid our rent regularly for some time now, and it don't get no cooler than that.

And yes, you can shoot things in places where they do that. Can't help but notice that the people in SL who do are all gits, though.