I came across an early Apple advert for the Internet which I remember seeing years back on TV.
I guess that would have been my generation as the kids who are answering the question of “What would you do with the internet?”. I’m guessing I wouldn’t have answered “Become a virtual worlds developer” at the age of 7.
The thing about Second Life is that it is limitless, yet it still feels sorta groomed. You’re a builder or a blogger. You’re a photographer or a model. You’re a scripter or a fashion designer. You’re a roleplayer or a musician. You can make a list of roles (we won’t call them “careers”) in Second Life and effectively choose a path. You don’t have to fall into any of these paths, yet the vast majority of residents do.
So now I find myself wondering what my answer would have been at 7 years old if I was asked “What would you do in a virtual world?”
Cajsa Lilliehook on December 27, 2009
I wanted to be an archeologist when I was seven, so perhaps I would have opted for sim builder/designer – recreator of historic sites. I really don’t know.
Emerald Wynn on December 27, 2009
AMEN my brotha from another mother!
I find it SO DAMN AMUSING that we have an opportunity to create this so-called Utopia, yet instead we inflict on ourselves the same pressures and roles that we do in RL.
At least on the ladies’ side, we’re still out to wear the latest fashions, buy expensive shoes, couple up with someone, get a glamourous job, decorate a beautiful home, etc. UGH!
That’s why I do have admiration for the Furries, the RPers, the mermaids, the quirky AVs and the like. At least they’re embracing the fantasy.
When I was a kid I wanted to be a nun when I grew up. I should’ve just rolled with that plan, at the rate I’m going.
*throws another monkey at Prad and runs away*
Guen on December 28, 2009
I know I was one of those little girls who wanted to be a ballerina when I grew up. Even took 3 years of ballet classes before I was told I was not fit (aka too “curvy”) to be one.
As for the internet, it’s really become an extension of things I did as a child to begin with. I played “dressup” in my room for years and SL is my chance to continue doing so. I’ve made mix tapes of music since I was 12, and now I’m a DJ on SL as well. I wrote stories and drew pictures ever since I can remember, and now I blog and create content as well.
So in all reality, I’m doing what I set out to do when I was a child… just in a different medium than I would have originally expected.
Lizzie Lexington on December 28, 2009
As a seven year old in a virtual world I would probably be a bunny. Oh oops that’s now, LOL. That’s the thing I like about SL, today I am dressed like a whore, tomorrow a nerd, the next day a bunny, the next day a princess, the next day a fashionista and so on and so on. In SL you can change yourself, reinvent yourself or just stay the same. Its really up to you.
Lizzie on Virtual Reinvention « The Virtual Adventures of Lizzie on December 29, 2009
[...] leave a comment » Prad Prathivi in his blog Metaversally Speaking posed an interesting question after finding an Apple commercial from the mid 90’s recently. The advertisement depicted children in different classrooms in the US answering the “internet topic – what would you do to change the world”. The ad is a wonderful example of how the internet began to impact our lives in the early to mid 90’s eventually leading to the point where the use of the internet in homes and classrooms became common place. Prad then took this idea of “what would you do” and posed the following question in relation to the metaverse in general: So now I find myself wondering what my answer would have been at 7 years old if I was asked “What would you do in a virtual world?” (12/29/09 Post “What Would You Do?) [...]
Adric Antfarm on December 30, 2009
Six Million Dollar Adric! Faster, stronger, much more expensive.
I bored very easily so back to Adam-12 after that as I patrolled the virtual streets keeping the people safe.