Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "The Past and Future of Virtual World Psychological Research and Development"

 

"The Past and Future of Virtual World Psychological Research and Development"

Saturday September 18

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

Second Life is underutilised as a platform for wide-ranging psychological research and community development projects. That statement was also true in 2003 when Linden Lab created the virtual world. Although other virtual world platforms may offer advantages for academic research and community impact projects, none are as robust and established as Second Life. In this presentation, I describe several funded research and development projects I have led in Second Life, including reflections on past pilot work using the platform for people with autism. I reflect on successes and ideas that were abandoned along the way and the different people I have encountered on my professional virtual journey. I  will also summarise some of the background published literature supporting a proposed research project with Science Circle, looking at communication styles in the virtual world. Questions, comments and challenges are encouraged.

By Dr. Simon Bignell (Milton Broome in SL)

For more on the event, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/104/125/1114

Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle, Two Events

"Psychological Benefits of Walking in a Virtual Nature"

Friday June 29
9AM to 10 AM PST
By Benny Rigaux-Bricmont

"Can the benefits of nature walks for psychological well-being and cognitive ability be replicated in a purely virtual environment? The island of Natmoud was built in the virtual world of Second Life (SL) to see whether immersion in such an environment is possibly therapeutic. Residents of SL were invited to visit Natmoud and comment in writing on their experience while there. Reading and analyzing these comments with TROPES semantic software allows us to identify the main factors contributing to a relaxing and comforting atmosphere. The implicit hypothesis that a virtual representation of nature can be soothing is confirmed. We also find that wildlife – which is abundant on the island * –appears to be the main feature that catches the attention of walkers. Given that these verbatim transcripts from a small convenience sample reflect, with one exception, the emotions felt by women, the results cannot really be generalized. In the analyses, the anonymity of the avatars is preserved by using initials, even though in all the cases the participants consented to the reproduction of the emotions they expressed."

For more information, Click Here.

Natmoud Island (52/137/28)

 *  *  *  *  *

"Updating Darwinian Evolution Part II: The Role of Sexual Selection"

Saturday June 30
9AM to 10 AM PST
By Dr. Stephen L. Gasior 
"The most common conception of evolution is that the hardiest survive. Darwin proposed another type of competition–that for mates within a species. When competing for mating partners the ability to find the right match and display your wares become important forces shaping the evolution of physiology, chemistry, and the brain. This talk explores the science of sexual selection in humans. Sexual selection has been well established in animal species for half a century, but the ability to study it in humans is relatively recent. Using the documentary The Science of Sex Appeal as a scaffold, this talk helps us update Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. "

For more information, Click Here.

The Science Circle (61/127/32) 

Still Odd After All These Years: Tuna Oddfellow's Odd Ball

One of the more unique regular performances in Second Life is the Odd Ball, taking place twice a week. Run by Tuna Oddfellow and Shava Suntzu, it's been running on the Grid for a few years.

For those who don't know, Tuna Oddfellow is a magician in real life, Mathew "Fish the Magish" Fishman. He got attention during Second Life's heyday in 2007 when NBC did a "Most Talented Avatar" competition. "I've got a mission to bring a little magic to everyone's day," he told the reporter then. And magic he has delivered, eventually coming up with the Odd Ball.

Tuna's partner in bringing the Odd Ball to life is Shave Suntzu. They met in real life before meeting in Second Life, and worked to make the show a spectacular performance. The dazzling special effects are more than just a visual treat. In some people, they can produce a "mild euphoric state," others comparing it to "getting stoned." Not everyone reacts in this way, one person I took over saying it just gave her a headache. But they were interested enough to have medical research done on the matter (details in a 201o story).

By 2010 though, the two were more concerned with Tuna's health problems that were taking a financial toll as well. With the help of friends and family, they got through them. Tuna's heath problems haven't gone away, but he and Shava continue their performances on the Grid. Occasionally they have a guest musician, such as Cypress Rosewood.

The Odd Ball normally takes place twice a week on Wednesdays at 7PM and Sundays at 11AM at the Dragonhenge sim at (126, 122, 651).

"It's time to get Odd, Odd, Odd!"

Bixyl Shuftan

A Science Experiment in Second Life

Those joining the Science Center and Linden Research groups will occasionally get an invitation to join a science experiment. Funded by a university's department, the experiment is one way Second Life is having some real-life applications, as well as providing a few lindens to the volunteers for their time.

More on the experiment in People.