So why do I like Second Life?

Many of my coworkers have asked me this question.  To be quite honest, I love the creativity that goes on in there.  People create stories, use screenshots, post them in a blog. Other people create music, and perform "virtual performances" in there.  Others have created businesses, relationships, objects, a whole slew of things that one could never really do in real life.

And then there are the stories. Iraq war veterans, recovering from their wounds, using SL as an outlet.  Long distance couples, who use SL, as a means to stay together despite their locations.  Lonely people, disabled people, educators, scientists, students, people with secrets, a gamut of people with stories, ambitions, and ideas, are all in here.  And I didn't even know it.

And what do I do in here?  Well, I build.  I tried half-hazardly running a small business, an art shop with my photos no less.  I have sold a few, but mainly b/c I feature them at the virtual apartments I built.  I admit that I have made my avatar look like the supermodel, so I get a lot of attention from the guys.  An interesting social experiment that I may want to write on one day.  And I attend a few educational seminars in here, and have learned quite a bit.  I will definitely write more about this later.

And what do I want to do later on?  Well, I am not planning on doing anything in regards to research here.  I may interview someone, but probably want to interview their real life selves, not their avatar.  Most of my research will be with students at UH, maybe faculty.  What I do want to try is clothes designing.  It looks like a lot of fun.  Maybe try and attempt to be a recording artist in here.  LOL.  Well, we'll see.  And maybe try my hand at building a little more.