Second life Ethics and Ideologies..........

Ren Reynolds writes.......
Do virtual worlds liberate us?

"Lastly when we look at something like Second Life and There what we seem to see are endlessly reproduced norms of body type etc that look like the products of an internalisation and then self production of dominant types. While there are many ‘fake’ versions of brands, they are still versions of brands so still operate in the same world of assumed values. What’s more we can no longer gamble in Second Life the reason being because of US laws – hence many virtual worlds seem simply to act as a way of expanding US cultural and legal norms, even if the virtual world is not in-fact based in the US as it will probably have a tendency to norm towards its values. As virtual worlds come out of China I expect that we will see a spreading of its cultural assumptions too.

eeeeeeeesh....dominant ideologies being re-enforced by online virtual worlds. Well I certainly hope not. I rather see second life as a meeting ground for people from all over the world and the mixing of different ideologies moving toward a more globalized culture. But the point is taken that second life is American based....and I can see how that makes second life appear to be a capitalist construct. And if you are seeking out those malls and money mills in world then yes that is what you are going to find. I suggest visiting the beautiful dragon sims or some of the lavish gardens to see it can also reflect a place of exploration and quiet meditation.
I found this wonderful list for all you SL Casanovas out there.I suggest taking a look guys....please. And Kudos Lash....awesome post!

At the Reuters site I found these little gems.
Study finds sex, gambling not major Second Life drawsThu Nov 8, 2007 1:11pm PST
By Eric Reuters

If there’s no “goal” to Second Life, no monsters to kill or experience points to collect, why do so many people log on and spend so much time there? Everyone has their theories, but a new academic study suggests cybersex and gambling are less of a lure than is often assumed........(read more)

I've often thought that what was more important was the fact of meeting new people and sharing thoughts and feelings. Nice to hear some one went and documented it. I always tell the newbies i get at the library..."Its not in the pose balls....the magic is in the chat window" (as a close freind often said)"and when the novalty wears off in a month come back so we can have a real discussion."
Not that a good pose ball isnt a wonderful thing......;P


UK to investigate pedophilia in virtual worlds
Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:10am PDT
By Eric Reuters

British cops will be going undercover in Second Life to investigate depictions of adult-child sex and track down pedophiles, according to a report by Channel Five News set to air on Tuesday.

But the UK’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) said Second Life isn’t being specifically targeted. “Our interest is wherever on the Internet children are,” a spokeswoman told Reuters. “We place officers into a number of virtual worlds.”

The spokeswoman confirmed the agency has “covert investigational ability” and is aware of Second Life.......(read more)


I said a year ago child Avs should go......but surrounding this issue they also mention BDSM parlors which cater to "sick" people with torture fantasies. So it makes me wonder when they will Try and close those as well. Or how about the transgender sims......I'm guessing this will eventually fall into the "need to be eradicated" category too.
And this opens up a serious ethical debate. concerning consenting adults and online behaviour......and where we draw the lines between what is acceptable and what isnt.
I strongly have felt child avatars should just simply be banned. But I have heard the point...(from a linden, no less)...that some people who can not have children, benefit from this online experience. But my inner "ethics needle" spins like a compass out of control when i see one.
Every day some kid in middle America warms up his PlayStation or Xbox and goes into a "virtual" experience where, just for example, he will steal cars...shoot at police...and burn down city blocks (remember vice city?). And for every one of these kids there is someone who says we should not allow them the chance to even do this even in a virtual world as it will only entice them into real life violence. That debate is still bouncing around out there but I think this may fall under the same ethical blanket.
Now I am no perfect little avatar myself.....and will readily concede my second life is about 75-80% fantasy driven.......yes I am a biological male in real life.....but meeting in world You will soon discover I am anything but male. And I hold dear my "little piece of heaven" where I can interact and be accepted as I am.
But I completely abore violence and abuse against children. It makes my blood boil as well.........and I would be the first one in line to oust them from SL.
My only fear is when do the "moral majority" find what I do online as sick and offensive and come to oust me as well.
So where is the line between what is acceptable and what isn't? We need to clearly define it.