Interview For A Study

 

A few days ago, it was yours truly who ended up interviewed.  It was by Evonova, a graduate student of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. Inspired by the "1000 Avatar Project" by Gracie Kendel in 2011 and 2012, she was doing "research on how people’s avatars have evolved over time and what that means for identity and self-expression." She contacted me, and I agreed to answer her questions, us meeting at the Newser office in HV Community, 

 

We ended up talking for a while not just about avatars, but about Second Life and how it's changed over the years, and what brings people here and what makes them stay. 

 

Evonova didn't say how many in total are being interviewed, but I'm sure she'll get quite a study.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

SL Video: "Virtual Cultures in Pandemic Times - Official Trailer"

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From Draxtor Despres on March 26. "Since March 2020, Draxtor has been following UC Irvine Department of Anthropology researchers Tom Boellstorff, Evan Conaway, Chandra Middleton and Sandy Wenger around Animal Crossing and Second Life to find out how the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping online interaction. 

In the film, protagonists from all over the world open up about their anxieties and everyday challenges during the last two years, and share what virtual worlds and social games mean to them in the context of a global health crisis. 

Many hours of mixed reality interviews, group discussions in Second Life and a comprehensive survey filled out by over 4000 players/residents provide the basis for a sprawling narrative. What emerges through participant observation is a mosaic of impressions, voices and worlds belonging to people from all walks of life, who are actively engaging in community building in the digital realm as they are trying to make sense of a new age dominated by uncertainty and physical isolation. 

The film premieres April 2nd right here on YouTube and in Second Life at Film Threat. More information = https://www.draxtor.com/virtualcultures 

(This film has been made possible with support of the National Science Foundation, award number 2028560, “RAPID: The Role of Emerging Virtual Cultures in the Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission”)"
 

Fearless Nation PTSD Support Virtual Community

Second Life can help people in many ways. One way it can is allowing people to reach out to a person or persons for help. For those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, one group they can contact is Fearless Nation. The Newser recently met up with it's director Anya Iborm who had much to say about the group. She also had a request, volunteers for a study on PTSD,

Read the story in People.

Announcement: The Science Circle - Late Ordovician Extinction

Saturday September 7
10 AM to 11AM SL time

There have been at least 5 mass extinctions in the geologic past and some say there was a sixth. Multiple theories from volcanism, plate tectonics, biotic interactions, and changes to ocean chemistry have been proposed for these extinction events. Local field studies in Virginia has shed light on the Late Ordovician extinction when 86% of animals in the ocean perished. These data will be given in the presentation. Studies like this one are important in answering the question will there be another mass extinction in the future?

by Dr. William F. Schmachtenberg (Dae Miami SL) 

For more information, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/61/127/32

LA Times Reports on Anthropologist Researching Second Life Use By Disabled

Many residents of Second Life have mixed opinions of mainstream media coverage of Second Life, feeling it focuses on the more salacious aspects of the Grid, notably sex. But LA Times reporter Ben Brazil recently wrote about anthropologist Tom Boellstroff's work in studying Second Life, which after the first few years began to focus on it's disabled users, which he reasons make up forty to sixty percent of it's population.

Boellstroff and his co-researcher Donna Davis talked to about 200 disabled residents. Davis told the Times, “We so often hear about the dark side of technology. But I think that Tom and I have found that there is a bright side. People can connect in these virtual spaces in really important and meaningful ways.”

The National Science Foundation has funded his study, contributing $277,000 US dollars. Boellstroff "is writing a second book" about his research on the disabled and hopes that his efforts "will cause technology developers to pay heed to the issues of disabled people when creating virtual reality products."

Read more on the LA Times article (Here) 

Source: New World Notes

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "The Drax Files: World Makers (Episode 31 - Tom Boellstorff)"

(Click here if the video fails to load)

The latest Drax Files from Draxtor Despress, Aug 12, 2015, "New Drax Files on the question what is REAL. Comment and share with a skeptic if you like. ... Anthropologist Tom Boellstorff sees no difference between doing ethnographic research in Indonesia or among the residents of a digital universe like Second Life."

Philosophical Landmark: Professor Bergson's 500th Philosophy Class

Education in Second Life can take many forms. There are museums one can attend. If one wants something more involved, there are classes one can attend. For Philosphy, Professor Herman Bergson teaches a class, and has been at it for a while. Yesterday marked his 500th class, and the professor isn't done yet.

Read more in Events.

Bible Study at the "House of Prayer" Church

With Easter later this month, churches are more active than usual this time of year. And this includes churches in Second Life. Grease Coakes stopped by one, the "House of Prayer" church during its Bible study hour. There was singing, and much discussion as the group talked about God.

Read Grease's story in Places.

News and Commentary: Real-Life News Article on Avatar Clothing Isn't News

By Bixyl Shuftan

This is news? At least that's what I was thinking when I first heard of the study, featured in an ABC article (and other sources). Canadian researchers "stalked through" Second Life observing over four hundred avatars "for several weeks." Their conclusion: females wear less clothing.

"Well DUH! Thank you Captain Obvious."

Researchers have a way of spending a lot of time and effort confirming what the rest of us already ready knew, or in this case the rest of us online. Though given how real-life media has reported on Second Life since it ceased to be the technical darling of it's eye a few years ago, tending to focus on porn and spouses caught having virtual flings, perhaps the study also shows something of the attitudes of the research team. The reference to "female forms used by 25-year old men living in their parents' basements" certainly gives a hint of media bias to this virtual journalist.

If any of the researchers are reading this, it's been long obvious to this working stiff that men tend to be more concerned with something functional, some protection from cold in winter, scrapes from twigs and other objects on more sensitive places while working or playing outdoors, etc. Women can, and often do, wear something meant to be mainly functional as well, but often the main reason is to look pretty. And the real life results often show more arm and leg skin. And considering some of their soap operas and Prime Time dramas, well, one would think ABC and other media outlets would be more aware of that.

Iris Ophelia, the fashion writer of New World Notes put it another way, When was the last time you saw an actor walk the red carpet showing his bare chest? "Fashion is practically designed around women baring skin to varying degrees, while for men it's much more binary, either clothed or unclothed. That's just the way things are, and it's not news."

A better question might be "are women less dressed in virtual reality than real life?" Probably. Avatars don't feel the cold in snowy areas. And since people often come here to do what they can't in real life, some women do take advantage to be a little more daring. They still might have to deal with overly amourous males attracted to the least dressed female, but they don't have to worry about being physically grabbed and held. And of course there are the Fantasy role-play areas, of which the stories and artwork they're based on often have women in skimpier outfits that would be impractical in real life combat. It's my impression though that some are making an effort to encourage the girls to do away with the infamous "chainmail bikinis." Nonhuman avatars have their own set of issues. Might lighter clothing be a reflection of someone with a coat of fur less likely to be chilled by a cool breeze?

An article by Ciaran Laval suggested the study wasn't completely without merit. While a case could be made for more study, given the track record of those outside the Grid imagining the girls as males living in their parents' basement, such research should be conducted more intelligently by those more familiar with Second Life.


Sources: ABC, New World Notes, Ciaran Laval

Bixyl Shuftan

Friday Events at Health Info Island & Virtual Ability

An Informal Garden Chat about Herbs- Saffron
Presented by: Olivia and Crayon Schlag

Time: 11 AM SL time

This event is an informal garden chat about herbs. Saffron is an extremely expensive herb. It is taken from the pollen-producing organs of the crocus flower. Saffron is used both to color and to flavor many kinds of foods. Saffron is under investigation for a number of medicinal uses as well as in cooking.

This event is an informal garden chat about herbs, led by Olivia Sage-Schlag.

Olivia is a Master Gardener with the University of Saskatchewan who helps teach some of the Master Gardener classes there. Crayon, along with Olivia, has the privilege of serving as the co-administrator and author for the SemperFlorens (always blooming in Latin) website and co-owner of SemperFlorens Sim in SL. The Sim serves to cultivate diverse botanical arrangements and educate visitors.

Health Info Island Herb Garden at Healthinfo Island (128, 128, 24)

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Digital Life & Wellness Survey in Second Life
Presented by: Katherine Cunningham

Time: 1PM

RTI is seeking participants who meet the following criteria: US residents with any of the following: diabetes, HIV, cancer and chronic pain conditions.

This presentation will discuss study specifics of the Digital Life & Wellness Survey conducted by RTI International. Topics of discussion include the purpose of the study, eligibility requirements, and what participants can expect if asked to participate. The presentation is expected to last 15-20 minutes, followed by time for questions/answers. The presentation will be in voice, with text transcription.

Katherine Cunningham is the Recruitment Coordinator for RTI International, a research organization.

Research Pavilion at Healthinfo Island (133, 196, 30)

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Waiting for the World to Wake Up to Trauma's Toll
Presented by DrFran Babcock
Time: 4PM

This talk is going to frame many of the problems of the world today in the context of the outcomes of early trauma and abuse. Through this lens the idea of Sanctuary and Trauma-informed Care become the only way to move to the future.

DrFran Babcock is the avatar of a long time Occupational Therapist and administrator in a psychiatric hospital. She has 30 years of experience in Behavioral Health, and is an advocate for the needs of the mentally ill.

The Sojourner Auditorium at Virtual Ability (53, 172, 23)

Philosophy Class: "The Mystery of the Brain"

Summer break is over. Back to the studies. This is the 5th year of Philosophy classes in sl and I have not graduated yet, but have not been dismissed either!

Professor Herman Bergson is opening his classroom again this year starting with the 341st class. We have been through so many rewarding projects over the years: 100 Philosophers, 25+ Women Philosophers, 25 Adventures in Thinking, Modern Theories of ethics, The Ideal State, Political Philos., and presently The Mystery of the Brain. Of the present project he says, “ I have done a number of projects, but the present one, still "The Mystery of the Brain", is my most cherished one, because it is the direct follow up of the thesis I defended in 1977 at the university."

If you are interested in the study of philosophy with lectures and lively discussion every Tuesday and Thursday at 1:00pm SL time in his lecture hall at Wainscot. The classes usually last about 50-60 minutes. Come visit and listen then you can join the group is you like. You are always welcome.

Wainscot (221,179, 37)

Gemma Cleanslate