Nothing
is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.
Mary
Shelley, Frankenstein
Wandering across Second Life
(SL) as is my wont, (Significant Other prefers this to my former globetrotting days
in Real Life (RL)) I’ve covered much virtual time and distance.
Many
things have changed over the course of this time, but, I think I’ve
uncovered something new. (Significant
Other’s eyes roll.)
Recently, I went back to visit
one of the great sand boxes inworld, the Hobo Jungle, sadly only to find that
it’s now gone. I’d just missed it as it
closed about six months ago. Now, an
adult sim is in its place. It’s beautiful
but serves a totally different function.
(And, there may be a story here in the future.)
Once again, this got me
thinking (And Significant Other worrying.)
Is something more fundamental
going on inworld?
Is the nature of SL itself changing?
Are we seeing SL metamorphasize
(I’ve always wanted to use that word.) into something new?
The premise
behind SL originally was that it could be whatever you wanted it to be. This naturally drew in the creative types,
many of who created large scale, if usually empty, beautiful sims. This is what I submit is changing.
SL was arguably the first true
virtual world on a large scale available to the general public. But something happened along the way.
New forms of social media like
Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and the like came along. People were more engaged in socializing than
building things. In fact, most probably
couldn’t have cared less about building things. Their energies were directed
into being liked.
Meanwhile, in RL things were
changing too. People abandoned physical
games for virtual ones. Relationships
moved online. People who previously
couldn't connect with others because of disabilities, physical remoteness, or
just being plain old fashioned shy could now engage with others. Globally no less! Hobbies like model building, military
miniatures, and board games had a serious falling off as people moved
online. Putting aside virtual
relationships, RL relationships have moved online
All this has been reflected
inworld too.
The already mentioned loss of
big builds is one example. Another is the
phenomena of active
groups based around sims closing rapidly because the founders are worn out
by all the effort required especially if they're successful.
But, residents are active
inworld socially. builds are simpler, and groups have themes and many times no
owned sim. The degree of social
interaction is high, sometimes flowing
over into RL.
What does all this mean?
It could mean SL has a long
life ahead of it.
Scripters who work on avatars
and their fashions may take precedence over builders.
SL could evolve closer to RL for
those who wish to remain anonymous with more focus on relationship building.
SL could become a sanctuary
for those who are alone IRL.
SL could become a place where
everyone knows your name at least virtually!
What could the future hold for
SL?
A very good question! (Significant Other thinks I ask very good
questions and only wishes that I could answer a few of them.)
I still believe there's a lot
of potential in SL.
We may see a blurring of the
lines between SL and RL.
Could Bitcoin or other
cybercurrencies finally permit an inworld economy to start to begin to
flourish?
SL could outlast all of us but
in order to do so, it needs a reason for people to want come, a reason to want
to stay, and a reason to comeback.
The answer ultimately lies
with all of us!
As always, I’m grateful to all
inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was
passing through their lives.
I can be found on Google+ as
webspelunker Ghostraven.
On Skype I’m webspelunker
Ghostraven.
I welcome feedback from
readers, please either comment on my blog or
e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com
.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
Open roads
and kind fires!
