Letter To The Editor, And Response: The Borrower

 

Recently the Newser got a reader submitted article in which the writer was looking for advice. Among the people he knows is someone who is seemingly always asking for Lindens and real-life money, saying he needs it for his SL & real-life, and wonders just what is with this guy. Editor Bixyl Shuftan had a few things to say on the matter.

Read more in People.

 

Hurricaine Idalia Threatens American Southeast

 

 

 Just after Hurricane Hilary caused a scare for California, there's another major storm taking aim at Florida, and on course to barrel through Georgia and South & North Carolina: Hurricane Idalia. Projected to strengthen to Category Three before it lands, there's the possibility of it getting still stronger to Cat 4 when it hits the Florida coast this morning. The storm is expected to remain at hurricane strength as it heads through Georgia, and only weakening to tropical storm status in South Carolina, and continue on through southeast North Carolina, being out at sea only very early Friday morning.

 

People in the path of the storm can expect a strong possibility of electrical, and Internet, outage, and some on the outskirts may experience some interruptions as well. So some of us in Second Life may be offline, or notice some friends who are usually on being off.

 

Sources: News Nation, Weather Channel

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Fundraisers For Earthquake Relief

 

 

 The earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6 was a truly devastating one. Registering 7.8 on the Richter scale, over 50,000 have been confirmed dead, mostly in Turkey. Shoddy building construction appears to be the major factor in why the death count has been so high. But this is just part of the problem. Thousands remain homeless, and there are medical worries as cold temperatures and lack of housing and food often result in disease.

 

Doctors Without Borders set up a donation area in TONE2 in the Ever Ever Land sim. Head onto Ever Ever Land (101/216/22) and donate what you like.

 

 

A few days ago, Mia Wallace of Burners Without Borders pointed out a fundraising party. This was at Orginia at Happy Clam Island. It was at late Saturday night February 18. 

Awesome initiative!!....BWBSL supports this event!!>> Two hours of music from Turkish & Syrian producers & artists who create the music we dance to. All tips will be donated for earthquake relief to the Red Cross/Red Crescent & Doctors Without Borders. Bring your friends (& your lindens)

It was quite an enthusiastic event, and another example of helping out people around the world in real life through this virtual world.

Bixyl Shuftan

EOTB: "Love Made in Second Life - Meet Ajay and Syn"

 

 

A few days ago in the Linden blog, the Lab got into the Valentines Day spirit with doing a few "Love Made in Second Life" posts, starting with "Meet Ajay and Syn."

Ajay McDowwll and Synapse Zabelin met in Second Life, fell in love, moved together in the physical realm - he from Mississippi, she from Florida where they still are today-  got married and, spoiler alert: Ajay and Syn are still together today, after almost 16 years! The story begins on the original Help Island, where Syn volunteered when newbie Ajay dropped in. They struck up a friendship and the rest, as they say, is Second Life history! We asked them more about the history of their relationship. 

 To find out more, watch the Youtube by Drsxtor Despres, or read the post. 

SL Content Creator Creates Gofundme To Deal With Problem Landlords

 
Several days ago in Montecito Bay chat, one of the people, Becky Nosferatu, brought attention to a certain Gofundme. Bespoke, one of the content creators at their Avagora mall, had created it due to real-life trouble, some troublesome landlords
 

Hey everyone. I don't talk to you guys often, let alone for anything really important, but this is important to me. Bespoke's owner, Mud, has had to create a GoFundMe for his area, due to the fact that the landlord he and his disabled charge (she suffers from Dementia,) have been forced to deal with. read the whole thing here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/landlords-destroyed-our-neighborhood-during-covid and please donate if you can. Don't put yourself out though! We know it's rough times, but if you can, please donate to help them out. If you can't, but have plenty of Linden, go to their inworld store and grab a product from them!

For anyone wanting to help him out, Bespoke's small store is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Montecito%20Bay/89/98/702, which has a few avatar heads up for sale.

As of the writing of this article, the Gofundme has raised $320 USD.
 

Looking Back: Osama Bin Laden’s Abbottabad Compound in Second Life

 

It was ten years ago from yesterday, on Monday May 2, 2011 that the news came out about the death of terrorist leader Osama Bin-Laden, the planner behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington DC, killed by a team of US Navy SEAL troops. Soon after a build of the Abbottabad compound where the battle took place appeared here in Second Life. The build would remain for several months, and no doubt was the scene of some reenactments, such as the one filmed and shown on Youtube. But like the real-life location, eventually the virtual location would be demolished.

The death of the infamous mass-murderer and arch-criminal was greeted with cheers across the United States, including crowds waving American flags in front of the White House in Washington DC. Ten years later, Washington DC still has extra police patrols and barriers around the Capitol building, which a few months ago was attacked by a mob, killing and injuring a number of policemen, a reflection of the worsening political divide in the country that would have been unthinkable in the days after 9/11,
  
Bixyl Shuftan
  

Interview with JolieElle Parfort

 

JolieElle Parfort is a real-life artist whom shows her works here in Second Life. She describes herself as being one all her life. Her most recent way of doing art is to take photos and using digital tools to make them into painting-like images. Recently, Newser reporter Kayly Iali interviewed her about how she became an artist and how she came to the virtual world.

Read Kayly's interview in People.

Inauguration Day

 

It's Inauguration Day in the United States, when the outgoing President steps down from power and the new one is sworn into office. In London City, I found a display for the incoming President Joe Biden, at London City (75/226/23). Next to it, there was another display poking fun at the soon to be former President Donald Trump, showing him in a missile launcher with his now former lawyer Giuliani hiding in some bushes. But some little touches here and there suggest not all the poking is at Trump and his men.

There will be events that day in the sim for the Inauguration, and earlier in the day for the former President's departure. Someone in the sim told me the first events will be at 8AM, but this is unconfirmed.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/London%20City/75/226/23

Monolith Spotted at SL Newser Office

 

 People keeping up with real-life news probably heard about the monolith found in the Utah desert. With no clue whom left it, theories about it's origin varied from alien visitors to artistic statement to prank. It was up for a few days, being an interesting diversion from stories of politics and the Pandemic, then was found to have seemingly vanished without a trace. Similar monoliths appeared in Romania and California. Then two men came forward, saying they took it down. The reason: environmental preservation. People had been coming in from all directions to see it, leaving behind trash and bodily waste, in addition to tire tracks. 

As it turns out, at least one monolith appeared here in Second Life. Of all places, it was right in front of the Newser office in HV Community. It was a reader whom prefers to remain anonymous whom notified us of what had happened. So how did it get there and who was behind it? That is to be determined.

Source: CNN, Cnet, 

Bixyl Shuftan

Election Day

 

 In the United States, it's Election Day, and time for Americans, at least those whom haven't done so earlier, to vote. It's been a unique election, and while there are always those who feel each election is the one the future of the country depends on, this time more than usual consider this one vital. 

People will likely hang out at one of several locations, such as the Election Simulator (above), one of Second Life's political areas, and even Book Island is offering for those anxious about the election to come and hang out. So who will win, Trump or Biden? We may know sometime tonight.

So go out and vote (if you haven't already), and come and hang out in Second Life.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

Scenes From The Smash Party

Last Saturday, a special event was held in Second Life. The Titmouse animation studio, noted for shows such as "The Venture Brothers" and "Star Trek: Lower Decks," held it's "Smash Party" here in the virtual world. The studio had been doing them in real life for almost two decades, but recently stopped. So what was their event brought here like?

See the pictures in Events.

Titmouse Smash Party in Second Life Today

On the Second Life blog, Linden Lab announced a special event was taking place today: the Titmouse Smash Party in Second Life.

For those who don't know, Titmouse is an animation studio "that develops and produces animated television programming, feature films, music videos, title sequences, commercials, and short films." The numerous shows they've had a hand in include "The Venture Brothers," "Superjail," "Megas XLR," and "Star Trek: Lower Decks." Among the traditions the studio has had over the years is the "smash party" in which various objects are placed in a steel cage (cheap or broken/useless), and someone goes in and pummels everything with a sledgehammer or axe. Company founder and CEO Chris Prynoski would say of the event, "In the 21st century these types of activities are frowned upon. The Smash Party is a night where one can experience the visceral catharsis that our cave-person brain secretly desires without the stigma of our repressed society's judgement."

Titmouse would end it's smash parties in 2019, preferring to end them while they were still popular. But today one such party is taking place here in Second Life, Saturday September 12 at 6PM SL time.

Expect the unexpected at the Titmouse Smash Party ... Anything can (and probably will) happen at this virtual world gathering where participants are invited to smash, bash and crash one of the hottest parties of the year held by independent award-winning animation production company Titmouse ...  Attendees of the Lightbox Expo and the Second Life community are invited to attend this year’s festivities, which include a combination of music, art and overall anarchy. At the center of the event is an interactive smashing cage where attendees can smash objects with a variety of different weapons. You can also meet and take a photo with Titmouse mascot, Mr. Chirps. 

Rumor has it that the region is filled with more than a few easter eggs so don’t be surprised when you encounter everything that is weird and wonderful -- all springing from the imagination of the Titmouse team. Eagle-eyed attendees may see a few familiar faces from the Titmouse creative team and animated characters in the crowd, too. (Did somebody say Dethklok?)
 
What’s a party without free swag? Don’t forget to pick up your free virtual gifts as you arrive.



(Click here if the video fails to play)

The party will be at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Smash Portal A/246/103/23 . According to the blog post, the area will be blocked to the general public until just before the event, and will be closed after it ends.

Bixyl Shuftan

Virtual Burning Man Event Ends, Last Day For Exhibits Today

For about a week, "Burning Man - The Multiverse" took place in several virtual worlds. This included here in Second Life at the "Burning Man- Deep Hole" sim. But the festival is coming to a close. Over the weekend was the burning of "The Man" and other events with large attendance. But today, Monday September 7, is the final day.

Talking to iSkye Silverweb, she told me that there were a number of people who showed up for the festival whom hadn't been to Second Life in many years. With the event in Black Rock Nevada being called off, they headed here. She expected some to remain a little while.

This will also be the last day to see the various exhibits. iSkye explained that everything has to be cleared out by 12:01 AM early Tuesday morning, following the "leave no trace" principle. So if you haven't been by yet, hurry on over. For those missing the festival already, don't despair. The Burn 2 event is just five weeks away.

Bixyl Shuftan

A Look At The Peale

Last weekend, The Peale officially opened. It is a virtual representation of the real life Peal Center in Baltimore, the oldest museum in America. With the Pandemic keeping away from the museum in real life, the virtual wing allows it to show exhibitions otherwise not accessible. Among those at the official opening was the Newser's Gemma Cleanslate. So what did she see?

Read Gemma's story in Places.

Baltimore's Peale Museum Opening Virtual Wing in Second Life

Linden Lab has just announced that a real-life museum is opening a "virtual extension" in Second Life. This is the Peale Center in Baltimore, the oldest museum in the country.

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The Peale in Baltimore, which is housed in the first purpose-built museum building in the United States, has extended its reach into the virtual world known as Second Life. While the current pandemic may prevent many people from visiting the Peale in person, this ambitious new project allows virtual visitors to explore the 1814 museum building online and attend curated exhibits and interactive events safely from the comfort of their homes.

“It has been thrilling to develop this new experience of the country’s oldest museum building in Second Life,” says Dr. Nancy Proctor, Executive Director of the Peale. “Thanks to the amazing work of Linden Lab and Virtual Ability, Inc., we are now able to welcome a huge new community to the Peale, and share its rich history as well as the authentic stories and creativity of Baltimore with the largest and oldest virtual world on the Internet.”

Current highlights of the virtual museum include the 3D interactive Peale Museum building and the virtual world exhibition, “Redefine/ABLE: Challenging Inaccessibility.” Exhibits and events will change regularly, and include playful and surprising elements inspired by the Peale’s and Baltimore’s history and stories – like a virtual mastodon, recalling the mastodons famously excavated in 1801 and exhibited by the Peale family in their museums in Philadelphia and Baltimore!

“This has been an excellent partnership opportunity for us,” says Virtual Ability, Inc. President Alice Krueger. “The staff of the Peale are strongly committed to accessibility, as you can see by their choice of a first exhibition in Second Life. Virtual Ability is happy to assist them to create an accessible experience in their virtual museum.”

The museum was developed in partnership with Linden Lab, maker of Second Life, who developed extensive interior spaces for a 3D model of the Peale Museum building that was originally created by the Imaging Research Center at UMBC for its online map of Baltimore ca. 1815. Over time the interior of the virtual Peale Museum building will grow to include more galleries, both extant in the physical world and inspired by the Peale’s programming and partners, making the Peale in Second Life a creative hybrid of the “real” and the imaginary. The Internet’s largest virtual world has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity as more people seek out safe and fun social interactions online during the pandemic.

“We are pleased to see The Peale bring an extension of its museum and exhibits to Second Life,” says Linden Lab CEO Ebbe Altberg. “The virtual world is the perfect home for museums that are seeking a way to extend their reach to a global audience.”

*  *  *  *  *



The museum will also be the focus of Strawberry Linden's "Lab Gab" today at 11 AM SL time, viewable on Youtube.  Strawberry will interview Nancy Proctor (NancyEProctor Resident) of the Peale Center and Eme Capalini of Virtual Ability.

The Peale Museum in Second Life will officially open tomorrow, Saturday August 15 at 8 AM SL time.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Peale%20Museum/128/100/22

Going About Gen Con

The Gen Con is in Second Life, or at least part of it. Described as "the largest tabletop-game convention in North America," it was canceled this year in real life due to the Pandemic. So the con went online. Part of it was here in Second Life. There was plenty to see. But as this was a gaming con, there were games to be done as well.

Read more in Events.

Gen Con Starts Today

Today marks the start of the Gen Con. This largest of board and tabletop gaming conventions is going virtual this year due to the Coronavirus, and part of it is taking place here in Second Life.

For more information, one can check out https://www.vrazethebar.com/,and https://www.gencon.com/. You can also check our the Discord channel (here). You can also check out the interview on "Lab Gab" Strawberry Linden had with Ron (RCArchitect) and Alesia (AlesiaPM).



http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Welworn/95/224/97

Real-Life Con Coming to Second Life : Gen Con July 30 to August 2

With conventions in real life being canceled due to the Coronavirus crisis, one alternative is for the events to go virtual. Gen Con, described by Wikipedia as " the largest tabletop-game convention in North America by both attendance and number of events," had to cancel in real life. But will be having events online, including here in Second Life, thanks to VRazeTheBar.

VRazeTheBar is going to go live providing an awesome social gaming experience for everyone wanting to attend Gen Con in Indianapolis this year but are unable to.

VRazeTheBar has partnered with Gen Con - the largest and longest running gaming convention in North America - to provide an awesome interactive social gaming experience built on Linden Lab's Enterprise/Education version of Second Life, the world's largest user-created virtual world of its kind enjoyed by millions of people around the globe.

 

The event will take place over the course of four days from Thursday July 30 to Sunday August 2. The entrance to the four sim inworld location is in Welworn (97/224/97). For more information, one can check out https://www.vrazethebar.com/, https://www.gencon.com/. and watch the Lab Gab tomorrow, Friday July 24,  at 11 AM SL time when Strawberry Linden interviews Alesia (AlesiaPM) and Ron (RCArchitect) about this ambitious effort to bring a large gaming convention to Second Life.




(Click Here if the video fails to play)

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Welworn/97/224/97/

Bixyl Shuftan

Hat tip: Inara Pey, Oldesoul Eldemar

EOTB: "Casting Call For A New Second Life Documentary"

Last Friday July 17 on the Linden blog, there was an announcement for a "casting call" for a documentary on Second Life. It will be directed by Olivia De Camps, and produced by Tom Sid. 

Every day, all around the world, millions of people log onto virtual worlds such as Second Life. Through a series of individual stories, this documentary aims to explore the core of basic human interaction. For many individuals, virtual worlds not only serve as escapism, but also morph into an expansion of their real life— where genuine friendships are formed, economy thrives, and often romance is built upon a virtual image that is frequently transferred to the real world. Users have the ability to immerse in the world they have always dreamed of living in, exploring their gender, racial, or sexual identity and creating strong bonds with people they might never get a chance to meet off screen. As we have been stuck at home without a possibility to physically meet, the idea of a digital world has become even more attractive.

De Camps is described as "a Dominican-American film student in her Senior year at New York University Tisch School of The Arts." Sidi is a television and commercial producer.

Through interviews (all filmed digitally due to COVID) and re-enactments on SL, we are searching for stories to tell from an experiential, non-judgmental and visually-driven way. Tell us your story! How has SL been a world for you in quarantine? Has it helped you find your identity? Did you form a special relationship on the platform If you're an artist, do you come here to share your works (design clothes, host virtual raves, digital photography)? We are looking for people who would like to share their SL experiences with us during or before quarantine. You can choose to remain anonymous if you wish.

De Camps and Sidi can be reached at oliviadecamps@gmail.com or t@boraxcfm.com .

To read the blog post, Click Here.

George Floyd Memorial, Linden Lab Statement on Protests

While things in Second Life headline news have largely been happy between the Relay for Life and upcoming Second Life Birthday, real life news has been troubling. Besides the Coronavirus Crisis, for over two weeks a number of protests have happened across the United States over the death of a man as a result of rough treatment during his arrest, George Floyd. According to Wikipedia, he served four years in prison following a plea deal in which he was originally charged with armed robbery of a home, but following his release became involved in church and found employment. He was 46 and is survived by five children.

High above the Moonsong sim, a memorial to Floyd was set up. Besides the flowers and candles, there are various angry statements, including a quote from George Orwell. There was also a sign for "Stand for Justice," a store in Apple Fall Events that raises money for Black Lives Matter.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Moonsong/177/191/4001

A few days ago in the official blog, Linden Lab would comment on the protests, "Social Injustice Has No Place In The Virtual World," announcing they were donating $30,000 to social justice charities, and suggesting residents do the same.

Like many of you, we are feeling a combination of horror and outrage over the history of racism against Black lives. What we continue to witness is deeply disturbing and demanding of immediate social change. 

The killing of George Floyd seen on video around the world is only one in a long and unacceptable series of violent and racist attacks and discriminatory behavior directed against people of color. 
We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, all victims of systemic oppression and violence, and with Black communities across the U.S., the globe, and the virtual world in condemning racism and any and all actions that promote division. 

Our mission at Second Life has always been to help build a better world, and in support of Black Lives Matter, we will be donating $10,000 each to three charities that are active in helping to fight oppression and injustice including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). 

How can you help? This weekend, you can participate in the Stand for Justice fundraising effort dedicated to raising funds for Black Lives Matter, Black Visions Collective, Campaign Zero, the National Police Accountability Project, and a Split Bail Fund benefiting 38+ bail funds nationwide. We also highly encourage you to sign petitions, text, call, or donate to show your support, acceptance, tolerance, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. 

Now is the time for us to come together as a community and to stand up for what is right, just, and decent. We hope that you will stand with us in our fight for a better world and in recognition that Black Lives Matter today and every day. 

The Newser has yet to hear about any actual demonstrations within Second Life, though I have heard a number of comments about events both in Second Life and Discord channels, some supporting the protestors, some supporting the police combating rioting that has followed a number of the protests, and some urging caution and reminding people the rioters are not with the protestors and that most of the police are not troublemakers.

Addition: Linden Lab would also post a video of several supporters of Black Lives Matter. 



(Click here if the video fails to play)

Bixyl Shuftan