SL20B Opening Ceremony

 

 Thursday June 22 was the opening day of the SL20B. At at Noon SL time was the opening ceremony. Patch Linden was the speaker, and gave a speech that lasted about fifteen minutes. It was held at the Mandala Stage at SLB Astound. The event was attended by close to three hundred residents in the four sim area.

"Welcome everyone," Patch greeted after his microphone was finally turned on, "It is with great pleasure and excitement that I invite you to join me in commemorating the 20th anniversary of Second Life, our virtual home. Since it's launch in 2003, Second Life has revolutionized the way we engage and interact with each other, both online and the physical world. Second Life has brought people together in a way that has transcended geographical boundaries like never before, and has provided a place for us to gather in creative collaboration, the result of which is the immersive world we are now celebrating. Over the course of the next eleven days, we will have the opportunity to relive past triumphs, revel in our present accomplishments, and reveal glimpses of what the future may hold for Second Life."

Patch would go on for another twelve minutes, going over how the place began and allowed residents to express their creativity. While some past troubles such as it's layoffs and other problems in 2010 weren't mentioned, at one point he did say the virtual world had managed to endure, ""despite the challenges it has faced." He expressed optimism for Second Life's future, "Now we stand on the brink of a new era of virtual reality and the possibilities are truly endless." He would also talk about the event grounds having 321 exhibits over 22 areas. 

At one point, Patch would make a joke about celebrating their 120th anniversary due to 6 days in SL passing in real-life, "and I haven't aged a day" and suggesting maybe they could bottle up the youth and sell it. He would conclude the speech, "together, let us celebrate the past, embrace the present, and envision the future. ... your world, your imagination, it all started with a cube." Then as an afterthought, Patch would mention the two contests ... look for the national and global contest kiosks at the welcome area for the rules and how to enter."

The opening ceremonies would be followed by the opening performance of the Music Fest less than an hour later. Some stuck around. Others would head to other parts of the SL20B, or the Shop and Hop.

Bixyl Shuftan