Announcement: This Friday and Saturday at The Science Circle - "Richard Dawkins" And "Rare Preservation"

 

"Heroes of Evolution: Richard Dawkins"

Friday February 12 

9 to 10 AM SL time

For the first time in this lecture series, I will discuss a still living icon of evolution. Richard Dawkins has had an immense impact in his lifetime on the advancement of evolutionary theory as well as science advocacy. His energy and commitment to science are still ongoing today. The talk will discuss his scientific work as well as highlight some of his activities advocating for rational thinking. The talk will consist of three sections: 

Scientific Work

Presentation by Dr. Stephen Gasior (Xootfly)

For more information, Click Here.

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"Rare Preservation of a Mother Crocodilian With Eggs"

Saturday February 13

10 to 11 AM SL time

Modern crocodilians exhibit parental care for their eggs during development, as do modern birds. However, given that pterosaurs (flying reptiles), which are more closely related to birds than crocodilians seem to have not exhibited parental care, this calls into question whether or not more ancient crocodilians and dinosaurs had parental care or not. A remarkably well-preserved fossil adult crocodilian with eggs helps resolve some of these issues by showing this behavior of egg-guarding likely extending back about 45 million years.

Presentation by Dr. Alex Hastings

For more information, Click Here.

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

"Good Neighbor Commandments" Obelisks on Mainland

The Mainland gets something of a bad rap among Second Life residents, and not without reason. The land is cheap and there's lots of sims to explore. But there are the ban lines that put your casually going about to a halt. And there are the security orbs that give you just a few seconds before teleporting you back to your home location.

So it got my attention when Lia (Female Winslet) told me about some obelisks she found by the road on the Mainland. Dropping by one at Route 10 at Tangna (65/53/77), ir was marked "Good Neighbor Commandments for Second Life Mainland" on the bottom. On each of the four sides, there were suggestions for better Second Life living, written in the style of the Ten Commandments.

Thou shalt not set thy security orb to teleport people without at least a one minute warning, lest thou beest a jerk.

Thou shalt not block roads or sea lanes with thy objects, nor shall ye set ban lines, for they are the suck.

Thou shall allow build and run scripts on thy land and use autoreturn to keep it neat and tidy, for it is thy friend.

Thou shall beget privacy walls, screens, and shrubbery around thy land which please the eye of thy neighbor as they do thyself.

The obelisks were made by Abnor Mole. Besides the one at Route 10, I saw a few more at Marybank (55/211/51), Hae An (165/120/50), and Lippert (104/214/179). Lia told me of a few other locations I hadn't checked. So will these black stones get more people to clean up their acts, or rather their land, a bit? Hopefully they will, and we can go about Mainland a little longer before running into another yellow barrier.

Bixyl Shuftan

"The Real Life Danger of Virtual Worlds" by Frolic Mills

Frolic Mills, the former editor of "The Best of Second Life" magazine, known as Juan Delgado in real life, recently posted a thoughtful commentary on Facebook on the subject of virtual reality addiction. Contacting him, he gave his okay for it's republication here.

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Having lived my real life successfully out of virtual worlds for the past 10 years or so, I think qualifies me to write this essay about the potential dangers of virtual worlds. I always hear "expert" psychologists and other specialists (who have probably never even played an online game) say that it produces addiction, anti-social characteristics, withdrawal from family and friends and even, that it even encourages criminal behavior. I don't doubt for one bit that there is always going to be a minority percentage who will prove all of these studies right. Just like there is always a drug addict, an alcoholic, and a pill junkie we all know, I am sure there are people who surrender to the fascinations of virtual worlds to the point they have no desire to entertain the idea of the real world any longer, and even modify their real life behaviors accordingly. I get it, but I don't think it's the majority.

Most of us, virtual users, lead well balanced lives. We love our families, we go out when we want to, we participate in the real world just like the guy next door. But yes, and I admit it, if you want to be on top in any virtual world, you must put in a LOT of hours. No question about that. But the difference between wasted time and real life pleasure is always purpose, and here is where it gets confusing for the non virtual user "specialists". It is not the same that you spent 1000 hours killing virtual hookers with a car, than socializing to meet friends or even your real life spouse from a virtual world. It is not the same if you admired someone else's creation and spent a lot of money making your avatar beautiful, than being the creator of beautiful things and making a fortune thanks to your virtual artistic skills. It's not the same at all; However, all of these examples, have two things in common, for all virtual users. The first and foremost is entertainment value, and secondly, and the most dangerous one, is the idea that real life can be totally fulfilled from the comfort of your computer, just a few meters away. Again the difference between insanity and survival will always be measured by your purpose and the amount of time spent on it. It is crazy to spend sleepless nights killing mobs to the point you don't go to school next day; it is survival to spend sleepless nights creating a better virtual world, which in return aids to your real life economy or any other heart felt purpose, like love, helping victims or charity events. There are thousands of other examples of effect/cause in virtual worlds, but I will let each person reading this essay, decide where their cards fall.

So what is my point? Well, there is a danger that I have never heard anyone speak about, and that, in my opinion, is the underlying reason to all "virtual world behavior studies" and that is, the fear of loss of creative freedom.

Of course I know, virtual worlds give a false sense of accomplishment, I also know people sometimes get lost in their virtual fantasies, but this is not what I am talking about, these are not the people I am referring to. I am talking about really talented artists who were able to create amazing real life survival with their virtual creations. There is nothing comparable to the joy of successfully sharing one's own universe or viewpoint with millions, from the comfort of your bedroom. I am afraid that once this has been achieved and it is over; the real world, or any other world, will never be as interesting anymore. Very dangerous indeed!

Please keep in mind that even Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and other very successful virtual creators still have to leave their homes in order to get to work. It also seems like the world is fascinated with examples of how people started their great businesses from their garages or basements. Well how about this? Thousands of people I know made plentiful real life livings and even millions of dollars with their laptops by their side, while sipping coffee in their own beds, and all this, without the headaches of running a Forbes top 100 company. Fascinating - Isn't it?

Yes! But if you are in the top 1% who actually made it big in virtual worlds, and then lost this privilege for whatever reason, the world may never be the same for you.

What do you guys think?

Juan Delgado / Frolic Mills

Reader Submitted: "Sexual Etiquette"

Nydia Tungsten owns a stretch of beach which is "clothing optional," meaning if anyone wants to be nude there feel free, just behave yourself. But it never ceases to amaze her how so often, some people assume a lack of clothing means an interest in baser activities with just anyone. She had a few things to say on the matter, with a warning to those who still won't listen.

Read Nydia's comments in Extra. 

Reader Submitted: "Gaming Gods"

Just a Quick word about "Gaming Gods," or known to the rest of us infantile gamers. People play games to enjoy themselves, NOT to prove themselves. The Gaming Gods feel that if you are not up to their level you shouldn't be on "their" sever. I have witnessed this time and time again, and been the victim of it. Well I have news for you "gods," we all have to start somewhere. 

The reason I am posting this is I was in a flying game, someone hit me from my same team and he was terrified I was going to go off on him.  My response was "No problem, it happens. Let's get back at them." He was stunned, then he told me that was his last plane for the game, and was stunned again that I said I was sorry to hear that but better luck next time.
 
So everyone remember, we ALL had to start some where and remember what it was like when we first started, you will find even you will have a better time playing if you remember it

Nydia Tungsten

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.