6:00PM
SLT I'm sent an instant message from a group to say that a music club is active and invites people to come over. I've been to this club a few times after class and enjoy the folks who are there.
6:06SLT
The past few minutes have just been the hosts welcoming the newcoming clubbers. Some seem more familiar with each other and are making jokes. The DJ is dancing around independently of the dance ball at the top of the room. On a stage, a few avatars are dancing on stripper poles but aren't naked.
6:10SLT
In addition to the dancing avatars, there is trivia constantly going on in the Chat. Not many people play, so I almost feel out of place when I answer questions. One partier has donated to the tip jar.
6:14SLT
I noticed there is a video screen on the side. I thought this might be something to visually accompany the music and dancing, but after a few seconds, it clearly wasn't and I turned it off so as not to interrupt the music.
6:24SLT
I was headed out because of some inactivity, even as the music played, until the DJ excited most of us with some (in my opinion, awesome) picks to play. More people have started to filter in, and I'd estimate there are around 10 people here.
6:26SLT
Some avatars are just standing around, and one of the regulars (I'm guessing) has invited them to dance.
6:39SLT
After Slayer and Metallica hit the playlist, the members and I talk a little bit about the bands on tour, and Metallica's new album compared to St. Anger, but not as much discussion is had as I'd expect, considering my real-life friends talk about Metallica's albums at great length (ie, which album/song is the greatest Metallica has put out and why).
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Potential Groups of Study
Pro Wrestling
One of my interests in real life is professional wrestling. Finding this just before the class started, I thought this would be a fun group to study. They appear to be the biggest Second Life wrestling organization, set up with their own arena and the most active group of the few. The only downside, as discussed in class, would that we would need to roleplay in order to fully get involved as a member of the culture. I’ve never actually RP’d anything, so this adds a different element. Since I haven’t done it, I don’t know much about RPing, but my guess is that they take turns explaining what moves they perform on each other, or there are animations for them. I have yet to see a match from this particular organization.
To me, the interest lies in that actual wrestlers live second lives both as a performer and as a person, and the Second Life talent as avatars and humans. What I haven’t found is if avatars themselves live another life (a Third Life?) as a wrestler and an avatar, or just the avatar as the wrestler.
Music
Another interest lies in music, specifically heavy metal – none of that manufactured bull, but music with some good rock n’ roll aspects (southern rock n’ roll is a definite plus). I’ve discovered a few clubs I like that play some all right music, and the people I’ve run into seem friendly, overall. There’s a little discussion, but mostly the avatars hit a giant ball to mosh, or dance. Thankfully this moshing isn’t the dreaded push mosh, but instead a solo kind of dance-around-like-an-idiot type of mosh. I’d be interested to find out why avatars come together to listen to music.
Martial Arts
I have not found a single good karate group that seems to be active – in fact, there doesn’t appear to be much of an audience in Second Life for martial arts. But this other martial art's group I found has over 80 members and says it will create an actual dojo if the popularity is there. I have not received any notices from this, so I’m not sure of the activities. While I don’t have as much experience with this martial art as I do karate in real life, I have learned a number of techniques. The intrigue lies in the fact that martial arts, among other things, is a physical activity – why sit at a computer as your avatar does all the work? Or would a Second Life group focus on the non-physical sides of the martial arts?
Education
I’ve always been interested in education – I’m potentially going to grad school and I’m one of the chief instructors with my karate program. Someday I would like to be a teacher in some capacity. Anyway, I took a look at a few of the educational/learning areas in Second Life from The Professor’s notecard. None of them had anybody to talk to. The places I looked at were a healthcare spot, a group trying to raise funds for malaria in Africa, and a Second Life campus.
Religion
Again, as with education, the places I looked at from The Professor’s notecard were pretty barren, so I wasn’t inclined to stick around very long. One monastery did have some information in various places. I’m interested to look into various religions studying in Second Life and how they do what they do.
One of my interests in real life is professional wrestling. Finding this just before the class started, I thought this would be a fun group to study. They appear to be the biggest Second Life wrestling organization, set up with their own arena and the most active group of the few. The only downside, as discussed in class, would that we would need to roleplay in order to fully get involved as a member of the culture. I’ve never actually RP’d anything, so this adds a different element. Since I haven’t done it, I don’t know much about RPing, but my guess is that they take turns explaining what moves they perform on each other, or there are animations for them. I have yet to see a match from this particular organization.
To me, the interest lies in that actual wrestlers live second lives both as a performer and as a person, and the Second Life talent as avatars and humans. What I haven’t found is if avatars themselves live another life (a Third Life?) as a wrestler and an avatar, or just the avatar as the wrestler.
Music
Another interest lies in music, specifically heavy metal – none of that manufactured bull, but music with some good rock n’ roll aspects (southern rock n’ roll is a definite plus). I’ve discovered a few clubs I like that play some all right music, and the people I’ve run into seem friendly, overall. There’s a little discussion, but mostly the avatars hit a giant ball to mosh, or dance. Thankfully this moshing isn’t the dreaded push mosh, but instead a solo kind of dance-around-like-an-idiot type of mosh. I’d be interested to find out why avatars come together to listen to music.
Martial Arts
I have not found a single good karate group that seems to be active – in fact, there doesn’t appear to be much of an audience in Second Life for martial arts. But this other martial art's group I found has over 80 members and says it will create an actual dojo if the popularity is there. I have not received any notices from this, so I’m not sure of the activities. While I don’t have as much experience with this martial art as I do karate in real life, I have learned a number of techniques. The intrigue lies in the fact that martial arts, among other things, is a physical activity – why sit at a computer as your avatar does all the work? Or would a Second Life group focus on the non-physical sides of the martial arts?
Education
I’ve always been interested in education – I’m potentially going to grad school and I’m one of the chief instructors with my karate program. Someday I would like to be a teacher in some capacity. Anyway, I took a look at a few of the educational/learning areas in Second Life from The Professor’s notecard. None of them had anybody to talk to. The places I looked at were a healthcare spot, a group trying to raise funds for malaria in Africa, and a Second Life campus.
Religion
Again, as with education, the places I looked at from The Professor’s notecard were pretty barren, so I wasn’t inclined to stick around very long. One monastery did have some information in various places. I’m interested to look into various religions studying in Second Life and how they do what they do.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Chikara Yokosuka
So this is going to be my blog for all things Second Life.
MM 333 at Bradley University - Introduction to Field Research in Virtual Worlds
MM 333 at Bradley University - Introduction to Field Research in Virtual Worlds
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