This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

Saturday July 13

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Feeding The World

    Dr. Stephen L. Gasior

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/feeding-the-world/

   

      

    ~*~

 

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

  Saturday November 18

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Human Migration: What Can It Tell Us About Our Past And Future

    By Linday Kelley and Merrill Johnson

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/human-migration/

 

    The Science Circle (72,129,30)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    World Television Day

    Jes Stannard

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/world-television-day/

    

    The Science Circle (72,129,30)

 

 

    ~*~

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

Nova

 

Gemma Cleanslate was recently at the latest location created by rαvєn вαnríσn (RavenStarr Resident) and her Spark group, "Nova." Wanting to create a science-fiction area that was different from numbers of dark ones she'd known, she came up with something that "definitely pushed my skills." So what did Gemma find?

 

Read Gemma's article in Places. 

Second Life Destinations: Hanging Gardens of Babylon

 A little more than a week ago, Linden Lab featured on Second Life Destinations a build inspired by one of the Seven Wonders of The Ancient World, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

*  *  *  *  *

Creator Patch Thibaud is actually an architect in the physical world as well, and his years of experience inform every detail of this majestic locale. After observing some work on Patch’s Flickr, Resident Crista reached out to him to build a region for her. Of the request, Patch says, “I agreed to participate as long as I got to do The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which was an ideal subject; an evocative and romantic concept, monumental in scale - and nobody has any idea what the original looked like, if in fact it existed at all.”

Patch’s affinity for building in the metaverse is strengthened by the fact that “there is no one in between me and the final result; I don't have to deal with contractors, estimators, building codes, etc.,” and yet there are limitless possibilities. Furthermore, Patch feels that “in all 3D modeling software I am familiar with, you are working in an abstract, gridded space. In SL I am used to working outdoors, with a beautiful sky and perhaps with beautiful water, and the context of an entire world.”

The concept of storytelling has been incorporated into many visual art forms, and as a trained designer, Patch adopted an episodic approach to the immense project. Patch created an extensive history for the estate: “This build imagines a structure originally built in mud brick by the Assyrians; later seized and rebuilt in stone by the Romans; {eventually} acquired by a cardinal during the military struggles of Renaissance Italy, who rebuilt the temple complex at the summit to include a villa for him and pleasure gardens and pavilions; subsequent alterations and additions by the cardinal’s family, including the ballroom and the Moroccan Garden; and finally the current owner, who restored the whole structure and its gardens, and inserted a gallery for art, built in the modern style.”

Crista is also a longtime Resident, having started her inworld adventures 14 years ago. For Crista, Second Life is “a part of myself… part of my life and {it has} taught me many things that made me what I am now, in RL and SL. I am one person living in two different worlds. A wonderful SL can make a better RL. The Gardens were my SL dream for years… A ton of thanks to Patch Thibaud, I am not sure if we have a better builder. Sharing the beauty he makes, {as well as the} sensations and feelings deriving from it, is the biggest pleasure and satisfaction in this world.”

(Click here if the video does not load)

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Antiquorum/47/157/24/
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Fireside Chat Dating Dynamics," "SC Region Tour"

 

"Fireside Chat Dating Dynamics"

Saturday December 18, 

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM SL time

Following on from “Choking on Red Pills: A Biological Take on Modern Dating Dynamics,” Stephen Gasior holds a Fireside Chat.

Hosted by Dr. Stephen Gasior (Xootfly)

Fireside

For more information, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/161/99/24 

*  *  *  *  *

"Science Circle Region Tour"

Saturday December 18, 

9:00 PM - 10:00 PM SL time

The Science Circle owns a region with more than fourteen beautiful locations. Today we visit them with you, answer your questions and listen to your ideas about regional development.

SC is an alliance of scientists and teachers, who in turn are given regional space to display their work. Some exhibitions are permanent, others are replaced by new acquisitions.

Recently Steven Van Hook, CEO of Educare, left his plot in the region to open a much needed “How to Educate in SL” region. We expect to have a tour in June 2022!

However, Steven’s departure offers his SC colleagues the chance to showcase their project.

During the regional tour we offer you the opportunity to share ideas or projects with us. So that our home base remains attractive, challenging and innovative.

By Jes Stannard & Chantal Jager

Science Circle region 

For more information, Click Here. 

(no SURL mentioned)
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Choking on Red Pills," "Virtual Teaching Tactics"

 

"Choking on Red Pills, A Biological Take on Modern Dating Dynamics"

Saturday November 20,

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

The basic tenet of biology is reproduction to continue the species. Evolution and genetics has programmed every species’ to follow behaviors to ensure the next generation. Sometimes this has resulted in seemingly contradictory behaviors like male spiders sacrificing themselves after mating.

Given this pattern of programming in sexually reproducing species, it is flabbergasting that some people are choosing to exit the mating pool consciously. These movements (Men Going Their Own Way, Involuntary Celibates, parts of The Manosphere, etc) espouse very different interactions in the mating game, primarily to exit it. Collectively using the term “Red Pill” (a reference to The Matrix) this philosophy claims to now be awakened to the truth of how society oppresses men.

This presentation will explore initially the biology of sexual reproduction in vertebrates and humans then look to reconcile or at least understand better the current society/cultural situation.

Presentation by Dr. Stephen Gasior (Xootfly)

Auditorium

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/125/132/22 

* * * * *

"Virtual Teaching Tactics to Help a Divided World"

Saturday November 20

9 PM to 10 PM SL time

Educators can be Covid-challenged to keep students and funds flowing, while promoting healthy and enriching academic options. Virtual World learning may provide immersive hands-on experience for engaging students and offering a sense of place and belonging, so important to student success and retention in online education.This presentation covers: evolution of virtual world learning, academic necessities for learning alternatives, socioeconomic drivers and gains, fulfilling student desires for immersive experience, benefits of experiential learning, providing dimensional sense of space, sample in-world learning centers, forming partnerships between academia and emerging technology, effective gamification of learning, bridging the digital divide, and self-guided field trips to Virtual World campuses.

Dr. Steven R. Van Hook

Auditorium

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32
 

SL18B Theme Announced: "Hidden Worlds"

Earlier today, Linden Lab announced the theme for the upcoming Second Life Birthday celebration: "Hidden Worlds."

Stay tuned for more information.

World Peace Flag Garden

This Fourth of July, there are a number of places one can get an American flag. But there's one that not only allows you to get one for free, but also flags of most of the nations of the world, each of the fifty United States, Canada's provinces, and some international and movement flags. It's the World Peace Flag Garden, and it offers them for free.

Free  flags of all nations.  Hand-held, modifiable for your build.  Free patriotic swim trunks, gym shorts, speedos, shirts.  Camping for world peace.  In Second Life, good people of all nations meet in friendship.

Most every nation is represented here. There's also flags for a number of territories and islands. Some places in the news in recent years, such as Kosovo and Hong Kong, are represented. Some are not recognized by all, such as Taiwan and Northern Cypress. And there's Nepal's double-triangle. There's also a box with a modifiable flag and various textures of American Indian flags. Another box has various "Pride" flags.

The place is owned by Edd Thor, whom also owns the Thor's Oak Christian Men's Center (aka Men's Recreation Center and Chapel) next to it. There, one can pick up some free clothes, skins, and jewelry.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Odaesan/85/151/42

Bixyl Shuftan

Apocalypse Not: Scenes Across Second Life As The World Doesn't End

As most readers probably know, December 21st was the day some thought the Mayan "Long Count" calendar, written centuries ago, was predicting the end of the world. Very few people took it seriously. A few people headed to ancient Mayan temples to pray. But for most people, the reaction was to just laugh. At most, some called it a reminder to live their lives more productively as one day each of us has our own personal "end of the world."

At about Noon, I checked out the broadcast of Science Friday. Among other science subjects, the radio show talked about the facts behind the Mayan Calandar, as well as the people around discussing them. Science Friday takes place every Friday from 11AM to 1PM at Science School (23, 203, 28).

A number of clubs celebrated with parties. Near the SL Newser building, the Cutlass Club in Sunweaver Space (245, 88, 123) held it's "End of the World" party at 6PM with people asked to take an a look appropriate for the Apocalypse, many appearing as winged angelic beings. I never changed mine as in real life, the Press no doubt would be there to cover it. Someone had a nuke hanging overhead, but the club remained standing at party's end.

At 7PM, the Steelhead Ballroom in Steelhead (74, 155, 26) held it's own "World's End" party, with Fuzzball Ortega DJing the tunes. The place was packed with a number of residents dancing away. In one corner, someone had placed a half-rusted plane's fusalage made into a disaster survivor's home. There were also a few Christmas trees in the corner, under the larger one a few residents had left some presents under the tree for all, including a clockwork birdie.

Among the song lyrics I heard were, "party at the end of the worrrrld!" and "When the world ends, who will have the last dance?" There was also "Marvin the Martin" muttering "Where's the kaboom?" Eventually Fuzzball had to stop when his track did, "The world may not have ended, but my two hours has."

It wasn't technically an "End of the World" event, though it did symbolize renewal. Club Fur, one of the oldest clubs in Second Life, was open again, with manager YuliaV acting as DJ that night. Inviting people over, she was joined by a number of partiers, including some from South of the Border, so a few freebie translators were passed around. Among those showing up was one micro-bunny, whom got a few complements on her apperance. The unique bunny hopped onto the DJ's booth, and danced away.

Yulia was going to play for only two hours, but more people kept coming, so she kept going. 

Club Fur at Kitsuhana (136, 84, 2007) will be playing every Saturday at 8PM SL time.

It was a fun Friday night in Second Life, one in which the world, and the Grid, would keep on going.

Bixyl Shuftan

Christmas Around the World

Want to know more about how Christmas is celebrated in other countries? DrFran Babcock came across a place with lots of scenery and facts about the holiday in other cultures, appropriately named "Christmas Around the World." There's plenty to see, recipes to try out in one's real-life kitchen, and freebies to take home.

Read Dr Fran's story in Places.

Meanwhile, Back in Azeroth

We take a look at the wild wonderful world of Azeroth as having leveled high enough to get a flying mount, yours truly takes to the air. Plus we look at two recent holiday events in World of Warcraft, with the changes in the most recent expansion giving them new twists.

Read more in Extra.

Virtual World Avination and Gambling

One of my friends has been recently checking out another virtual world, Avination. Smaller than Second Life, one advantage it has is no rules against gambling. But recently, this policy of theirs almost got them in trouble.

Read the article in Extra.

“Virtual Tonight with Sam Nightfire” First Episode Online

Virtual Tonight's First Episode finally went online a few days ago. Sam Nightfire interviewed a number of guests, notably Jessica Lyon of the Phoenix Viewer team whom had a few things to say concerning her group's past and present. For those wanting to read more, Click Here.

“Virtual Tonight with Sam Nightfire” Launches

On Sunday January 16 at 8PM Second Life time, Sam Nightfire hosted the first episode of the “Virtual Tonight” talk show. The show was taped in front of a live audience in a skystudio high over the Virtual World Network sim. About 55 were in the sim.

For this first show there were several guests. First was Ray Hoffman, a builder and architect who owns the Envision Design and Envision Design & Architectural University, as well as the one who build the studio for Virtual Tonight. Also were Vista Coba and Nesto Quatro, the owners of the Virtual Realty Football League. The League had several teams, and to answer Sam’s question, yes they are still hiring cheerleaders. The musical guests were Automotive Quandry and the Automatic Band. The band had volunteered to do the theme song for the show.

The most noted guest was Jessica Lyon, the head of the Phoenix Viewer development team. It didn’t take long for the Emeraldgate issue to come up, and Jessica told Sam and the audience that her staff had learned a number of lessons from the scandal, and had set protocols in place to make sure nothing like that would ever happen with Phoenix. Unlike Emerald, Phoenix was devoted to transparency, she stated, so all changes to the viewer code would be published on the website as they happened.

Further tapings will be every Sunday evening at 8PM SL time at Virtual World Network (49, 58, 1010). The show “will have an array of topics ranging from current events and cultural trends to politics, comedy and more, all while bringing viewers closer to their favorite celebrities and notable public figures with revealing, compelling interviews.” It is owned by Virtual World Network, and produced by Ishelwood Studio. The shows will later be up for viewing on the Virtual World Network website, “sometime in January.”

Bixyl Shuftan

The “Cataclysm” Continues in Azeroth

Recently, "World of Warcraft" went through it's third expansion, "Cataclysm." Following the coverage of the wolf-like Worgen, yours truly took a look at other aspects of the game, as well as what a few people are saying about the online game and it's future.

Read the article in Extra.

Meanwhile, Back in Azeroth

With the "Cataclysm" expansion not far away, World of Warcraft was recently given a major update. Looking around, many familiar sights are changed. Ogrimmar, and presumably the other capitals, have new looks. Many areas have been changed, such as the Barrens which was split in two and the southern part becoming a whole new zone. And there are a number of new quests. New classes are available for some races, druid trolls being one.

The old WoW as we knew it is gone.

The "Cataclysm" expansion promises more with two new player races, the werewolf-like Worgen and Goblins, two new skills, new areas, flying mounts now flyable in the classic areas, and more. It appears in stores begining December 7.

A few questions come to mind. With higher-ranked players able to fly in the classic areas, will the PvP servers become hell for "lowbies?" Will the population of Second Life drop a bit for the next few weeks as some Wowers leave for a bit. Will Woodbury set up shop in WoW in order to harrass the wolf characters?

Bixyl Shuftan