Saturday, March 15, 2008

Topic 1 - Second Life

In my first lecture in New Communication Technologies we watched a report by ABCs Four Corners on the massive multi-player online game Second Life. Second Life allows the user to create a virtual person, called an Avatar. Second Life appeals to people because their create character doesn't have to mirror real life attributes.

This seemed well and good, but the report covered several issues concerning Second Life. Players hide behind a cloak of anonymity and obscurity, allowing them to indulge in certain activities that would incur judgment from real life society. Players were able to simulate sexual activities with other players and visit seemingly depraved areas in Second Life with relative ease. Players had little protection from intellectual property thieves. Their is no real ethical code enforced in Second Life, raising the question: how is an online society like Second Life governed?

To be honest, it isn't.

No comments: