Thursday, September 06, 2007

Picking a Name

I have decided that I am curious about Second Life. I am not sure how far my curiosity will take me. Tonight I ended up on the registration page and got stuck on the very first question. You need to create a first name (between 2 and 31 characters) and pick from a long list of available last names. I am not sure why you have to pick a last name...

Why am I curious about this? I am interested in the way that it will create new patterns of communication and interaction. I am curious to see how the economic model works. I think that the possibility of a 3D Virtual World that allows for unlimited types of creative interaction between individuals, communities, businesses, non-profits, educational entities, people with disabilities etc... is fascinating. On the flip side, I don't have a desire to spend too much more time on my computer so all of the canned arguments that people will make about this being a bad idea for me to allocate any spare time to are completely known and potentially valid.

So I am still stuck on picking my name. Maybe I'll sleep on it. I wonder what the average think time on the Name question is for people who sign up for Second Life.

Here is an interesting video that appears to be a pretty good introduction.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you want opposite of "W" try "M"

Unknown said...

I find it interesting that you used the term "opposite." Meaning, that f you were to create a second life, you might consider crafting it in an opposite fashion to the life your currently lead...

Anonymous said...

too creepy....you would have to have a lot of time on your hands...time better spent in the real world...talking w/ your wife, yard work...going out , meeting new people....
SINEDDIE says..lame, lame, lame.

Unknown said...

I think that might be a harsh judgment when you consider some of the benefits an interface like this can provide people who would otherwise be separated by distance, geography, culture, disability, etc... I think the "creepy" factor is a hold over from a stereotypical prejudice people seem to have regarding virtual collaboration vs. "in person" interaction. I think there are some real positive possibilities with something like this. Just my two cents.

Anonymous said...

ok then...lol....
benefits??
who are you going to really meet?
that was just my first impression...maybe i will research it a little more.