Your source of news about the people, places, things, and events across Second Life.
The theme of this year’s Conference is “Self-Identity and Mental Health.” We believe that personal identification can have a major impact on mental health, and we want to stress the importance of a healthy sense of personal identity to good mental health.
The Symposium will take place in the virtual world of Second Life, at the Sojourner Auditorium on Virtual Ability island. The SLURL for the auditorium is: Sojourner Auditorium, Virtual Ability Island. (You can create a free Second Life account through Virtual Ability’s Sign-Up Portal, entering at the beginning of our New Resident Orientation Course. You can then post the auditorium’s SLURL into Nearby Chat, click the green underlined link, and teleport to the auditorium.)
Virtual Ability hosts this annual Symposium to share information about mental health and mental disabilities with the general population. Within our cross-disability community we have members who deal with a variety of mental health issues. Not only is this an opportunity for our community members to learn more about topics related to mental health from experts they probably would not have a chance to meet otherwise, it allows the general public to attend a professional conference at no cost.
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"Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Failure in Human Disease"
10 AM to 11 AM SL time
Some two billion years ago, a seminal, endosymbiotic event occurred: a larger, anaerobic bacterial cell ingested a smaller, aerobic prokaryotic ‘germ’. This beneficial union of two life forms led to the evolution of more highly organized eukaryotic cells with mitochondria as subcellular organelles. These mitochondria still retain their own bacteria-like DNA – they also replicate themselves. As the metabolic power source for eukaryotic cells, mitochondria utilize (detoxify) oxygen to produce energy, an attribute that has made possible the rise of multi-cellular organisms and higher life forms. Mitochondria are vital to cellular life and therefore, to human life. Unfortunately, they can also be subject to genetically-based errors of metabolism.
Presentation by Robert A. Hendrix, M.D.
Auditorium
To read more, Click Here.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/125/132/22* * * * *
"Nuclear Energy"
9 PM to 10 PM
The prospect of carbon-free electricity produced reliably and abundantly would incentivize investments in nuclear energy. Concerns over proper fuel disposal or recurrences of nuclear accidents with disastrous consequences also inhibit liberal employment of the energy source. Alternative power plant designs such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are being considered to improve safety and reduce construction costs. To what extent should we consider nuclear energy a solution to ensuring our energy needs are met in our struggle with climate change?
A presentation by Karthik P.
Auditorium
To read more, Click Here.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32
This week, Second Life Destinations looks at the Coronavirus info center on Inspiration Island.
"Lissena, who also goes by Wisdomseeker, guides us through the colorful and comforting realm of Inspiration Island, which she created with several other volunteers to promote wellness in a fun and accessible way. In this region you can also find Whole Brain Health, which Lissena describes as 'the virtual arm of our nonprofit Ageless Mind Project. Our mission is to give people the tools to stay sharp, active, and healthy, based on research coming from neuroscience, gerontology, positive psychology, and creativity.'
"The COVID display in the courtyard was built by Lady Brielle, a medical librarian who maintains the text as new data becomes available. Lady Brielle has been a tireless essential worker throughout the pandemic, and her work has not gone unnoticed. Lady Brielle us that 'our outreach work in Second Life has been recognized by the National Library of Medicine and won an award in Research by the Hospital Libraries Section of the Medical Library Association.'
"Information on COVID-19 is displayed in Spanish, American Sign Language, and English. The creators of Inspiration Island took a multidisciplinary approach to presenting information so that as many people as possible can be positively impacted by visiting. In addition to medical data there are stories submitted by other Residents about their personal experiences of social distancing to remind us that what we’re feeling is totally natural, and we’re not the only ones who feel that way. There are also many activities to facilitate mental stimulation and help people feel connected.
"Lissena wants us to know that even the scary parts of sickness are addressed here: 'Once a month Rob, a member of the Collective in Germany, hosts a Death Café -- something he is trained to do professionally outside SL -- conversations that help make death less {of} a forbidden subject. Amazingly, we laugh a lot there.'
"This vibrant region is the labor of love of a devoted community. Marly Milena, a volunteer who provides 'programs focused on creative expression on Inspiration Island. I have introduced a way of working with arts-based processes, called Symbolic Modeling (SymMod for short). We use the building tools so people can make art in SL, and then we guide them in exploring meanings, new ideas, feelings, etc'
"Thuja Hynes, the associate director of the project, builds educational exhibits and tours. Two of his current projects are called Simply Imossible and Hero Walk. There are also many weekly events. Faust hosts the Positive Change Circle at Whole Brain Health on Sundays at 3pm SLT, and Arisia Vita plays piano in the gaebo every Monday and Wednesday. Priceless contributions are also provided by community members Catseye Tennen, Ghaelen D'Lareh, and Marylou Goldrosen.
"Second Life is proud to host a space that incorporates elements of education, creativity, and community, and Inspiration Island is a living example of the positive it can bring. Lissena feels that the activities found here “give you insight into yourself, encourage your creativity and your sense of purpose and reduce loneliness, which is really important.” It is open to people from all walks of life, so stop by for a visit today."
Video by Draxtor Despress
