Anyone, But me...

“People in virtual worlds build things, use them, sell them, trade them and discuss them. When another person confirms what I am seeing, places value on it, spends time working to pay for it, buys it, keeps it, uses it, talks about it, gets emotional about it, and then sells it – this tells me there is something real happening. The suspension of disbelief has become a grounding of belief” Meadows (2008:51)
To an extent, Meadows’ statement is true in today’s world. Technology grows everyday and nothing is impossible. To have an avatar and live in a “second life” is not as absurd now as it would have been a few years ago.

I must admit, at first glance, I thought that having an avatar in a program like Second-Life was a little bit lame for anti-socials. But another confession I have to reveal, is that I have in a way been involved in some-what a second life. I have played and enjoyed software programs such as The Sims. Although not exactly like Second-Life as it does not allow communication or buy “real” things, it allows you to build an avatar and live a life by having a career, relationships, and even children. Your sim can be thin, fat, ugly, beautiful, just like in Second-Life. The main difference is the emotional connection between the two “games”. The Sims is not as emotional as Second-Life as you cannot communicate or live as real of a life.

Since the release of James Cameron’s blockbuster hit, Avatar, in 2010, more people are aware of a “second life”. However, it may be a little too real for some fans who have taken it further than just a fantasy and experienced depression and suicidal thoughts after realising Pandora (the second world in Avatar), was not real.

There is strong influence for business people and marketers to take advantage of the type of people who are playing this game. Those who play this game and believe it is better than their own may suggest their lack of social ability in the “real world”. Almost, like preying on the vulnerable. Is this ethical? Either way, it is very smart on the business side of things.

There have been reports of “cyber-rape” and hacking to spoil another avatar’s life, so if this “second life” is going to be considered real, then how can any rules, laws or regulations be enforced? The internet is already very complex and at this point in time there are still no actual laws to enforce cyber crimes.

But anyway, back to the point of whether it is real or not, you have to ask yourself, what, to you, constitute as reality? Yes this game allows you to communicate globally, yes it allows you to buy things, yes it can make you emotional. But if you could step back and watch yourself behind that desk, in front of that computer, what would you think?
Owning a “second life” is real to the point where an individual is immersed in the “second life”. However, to actually live through this life is no life at all.