Cartoon of The Day: Nice List Surprise

 

 Taken at Club Cutlass. Surprisingly, Valkyrie Ice, the resident sucubus, ended up on the "Nice" list. That might not sit well with all 'cubi, though.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

"Good and Evil" Night at Club Zero Gravity's "Haunted Woods"

Among the clubs in Second Life having special Halloween events in late October was Club Zero Gravity. To begin with, the space club decided to have it's events from mid-October to Halloween not at the station, but in the "Haunted Woods," a platform created by Jasmine Dawn Shuftan. Last night's party was "Good vs Evil Night, with partygoers dressed up as angels, devils, heroes, monsters, and more.

Tonight at the Haunted Woods, it's "Good vs Evil." Do you see yourself as a perpetual good guy, always wanting to do good and be righteous? Or are you the bad guy, taking delight in acts of villainy and just being bad? Pick a role, and choose a look to go with it, such as an angel or night in shining armor, or a devil or barbarian raider? Or maybe someone "evil in a good way" like a seductress. Whatever role you wish to be, wear it with pride and fly on over.

DJ Reactor spun the tunes for the party, at one point about 20 present and dancing away, "Welcome to the Haunted Woods," visitors were greeted, "Be careful about venturing too far into the forest, as those who go too far often vanish, waking up later on the beach with no memory how they got there."

The party went on for two hours, and eventually it was time to decide the winner. Skylark Lefarve was the one who got the most votes for the 500L prize.

The next party at Zero-G's Haunted Woods is on Thursday, Halloween night, which is sure to be filled with fun, dance, and another prize to give out to the best costume. The party's at Purrfection Estates Hautned Woods (216, 39, 1314).

For those looking for a Halloween party tonight, check out Club Cutlass at 6PM at Sunweaver Space (176, 62, 125).

Bixyl Shuftan

Commentary: Should Bad News Not Be Told?

By Bixyl Shuftan

This summer, we got contacted by a reader concerning some articles we were reading. It wasn't about accuracy, but rather the content. We had published some articles about residents being less than pleasant to others, and she expressed worry that we were making the Grid less attractive to those who hadn't yet tried Second Life, and would be steered away from giving it a try.

I've heard a similar complaint about real-life news, people saying newspapers and broadcast news tell only bad news. And there is a belief among some in the news industry that bad news tends to draw more attention. The latter may or may not be true, but the former isn't. By it's nature, the news industry is about the reporting of unusual events, notably those that affect a particular media's readers the most.

Reporting little but bad news and gossip isn't the style of the Newser. Our rivals the "Herald" did so, reporting on lots of stories about griefing and drama. While some take a delight in the stories of the miseries of others, we don't, and there were no shortage of people who complained when the self-described tabloid was operational.

Giving an overly-rosy image has it's own problems. When the TV show "CSI" did an episode that featured Second Life, it was less than accurate. There was no lag, everyone used voice, etc. So visitors seeing the show finding out about Second Life there and then logging on would find themselves surprised that details would take some time to load. With the reality of the place so quickly falling short of the image they were given, many would leave and not return. So giving an image of Second Life without the pitfalls has it's own problems.

What's best, at least in my opinion, is a kind of balanced approach. On one hand, some warning of problems as they arise, in addition to allowing readers to vent some through submitted commentaries. And on the other, showing plenty of good that goes on in Second Life, places to explore, the stories of interesting people, and exciting events. And of course of problems being fixed (the Lab actually does listen, sometimes).

Do we do a perfect job? No, we make our share of mistakes. But giving fair warning about problems isn't one of them.

There's a story about the making of the statue of a certain king. He was not an especially attractive man, being in late middle age. The sculpture carefully suggested he could make the statue look younger. The king told him no, but to make it as he appeared, "warts and all." His kingdom had prospered under his rule, and he was confident history would judge him well.

Second Life has much to be proud of over it's ten years. Yes, a few griefers are still around. Yes, the place still has lag and bugs. Yes, there are times the Lab can be downright clueless. But rather than hide the warts, it's better to let newcomers know things are less than perfect. But the good here far outweighs the bad.

Bixyl Shuftan

Ash Wednesday Forehead Mark

"After the reverly, time to reflect." At least that what comes to mind with the contrast between Mardi Gras or "Carnival," and Ash Wednesday. For those who don't know, Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. For Catholics and more recently some Protestant denominations, the day offers church services in which the observers have their foreheads with a cross-shaped mark made of ashes.

Second Life Marketplace offers several forehead cross marks. Among them, a free one from Edd Thor, whom on his profile described himself as Episcopalian, "Ash Wednesday is observed by some denominations as the beginning of the time of preparation for Easter. A cross made of ashes may be placed on the forehead, perhaps with the words, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return." To the best of my knowledge, the church clip art from which these crosses are derived are public domain."

The item can be found on the Marketplace Here.

Ash Wednesday Forehead Mark Av Tattoo

I found out from a friend about this item in SL Marketplace, an avatar tattoo made to look like the forehead mark made during Ash Wednesday church ceremonies.

Get ready for Lent with this affordable Ash Wednesday ash for your forehead. It comes as a Second Life tattoo. Just click wear and you are good to go. The item transfers so get one for your family and friends. A wonderful way to observe the special time of Lent.

Made by JP Ivercourt, this product certainly stands out, virtual goods having a reputation of catering to vanity or the riskee.