Wow, that's really...something. I don't have enough time in my real life for everything I need to do so it's a bit bizarre that these people have time to devote to this. Blech. I'd rather spend time with my actual husband who also happens to be my best friend. Phooey on that woman.

Danielle

I have heard of this...know of someone.
IMO, it's for immature people who can't deal with real life, and, like children, play with dolls instead.

Second life??

Maybe they're in heaven, already??

o j ... (not the jailed one ... or the stuff that originated from a tree)

P.S. Similarly to the stuff from the tree - maybe sort of life/health-enhancing, at times ... I hope.

o j

My ex boyfriend had a Second Life account. It is WEIRD. It's just like real life but all on the computer, real people but in avatars they make look however they want. You can go shopping, dancing, buy things, go to bars, whatever you want. I kind of got the feeling that the people spending too much time on there were either incredibly unhappy with their real lives, or too anti-social to go out and do these kind of things in real life. The same type who get obsessed with online gaming and spend all free time on the computer. It's kind of sad really.

I recall my friend saying that on Facebook you can also do things like buy flowers, send gifts, have coffee, etc., etc.

Methinks these people are anti-social and would never do these things in "real" life. (Umm...,maybe they're hermits).

But that having been said, I think message boards ~ and even Facebook ~ are a good outlet for meeting friends, family and generally are very good networking places.

I agree, Jenn! The one woman who won't sleep with her REAL husband but will have virtual sex with an avatar (on the internet you can be anyone you want!) is online 17 hours a DAY! She doesn't cook. She doesn't clean. She barely speaks to her children. The only reason I'm online so much these days is because I'm not working. But I still find time between messages to cook and clean, shower and I sleep with my husband! LOL Too much info? hehehe

The claim 2nd Life is a 'game', but when it destroys families and marriages, it's gone too far. People who would get that involved in a virtual world have a lot of problems.

I think I feel sorry for these people but I'm not sure. I do know it is hard for me to believe that people would actually do this. Maybe there is a little something missing upstairs, poor creatures. Vique.

I'm a little familiar with Second Life, although I've never been involved with the activities listed here. I work at IBM and IBM has a big interest in virtual worlds, particularily second Life.

Clients can go to the IBM Visiter center in Second Life and ask questions of the people who are 'virtually' staffing the center. See http://www.ibm.com/3dworlds/businesscenter/us/en/

Meetings can be held in virtual meeting rooms. See http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-6127448-7.html

Sears has a virtual showroom in Second Life. See http://www-03.ibm.com/industries/retail/us/detail/news/N057747D16880B63.html

One of the newest and neatest things I've seen about Second Life is the option to tour the 'Forbidden City' in China. You can see a video about it at the link below.

Odd as it sounds, there really are a lot of business and educuational aspects being developed. Since I'm familiar with it, I just wanted to show you that there is another side to Second Life and other 'virtual worlds' like it.

Here is a link that might be useful: China's

I guess my take on the situation would be everything in moderation? I don't have a problem with my DH playing video games on the computer, as a hobby- not his life! I like to play sometimes too. I have not seen 2nd life so I don't know what that one is about. I would say that just like drugs or alcohol can offer escapes to people so can these games. People take them too far.

Trish

I'd rather just google the forbidden city, rather go through a virtual world. Or see the video my parents took when they physically went there. =o) I think there are some places on the net that are just dangerous for people with problems to go to. Did you see what the avatars all look like? Not one fat woman. Everyone is barely dressed. All the men are buff. Not real at all. And not mentally healthy for people who think they're missing out on something. They're missing out on the real world. Instead they sit on a computer and talk with fake people in fake bodies about fake things. And it ruins real lives. Sad.........

I know of someone who has a business listed in SL. You can buy cd's at their SL location. Just another venue for selling in a virtual world and from what I understand, it's working. I have visited just to check it out. It's "different".

Though I also work at IBM & have "some" knowledge of Second Life, I agree with monica_pa's assessment about people such as the woman in Calgary. Lack of maturity and balance.

Don't you feel sorry for the spouses! I would think they feel as though they have been blindsided to be thrown over for something that is not even real.

Kathleen

Well! I have been involved in Second Life for almost two years. Yes, a lot of people get out of hand, but my friends there are like my friends here at the KT. We share many common interests and it's just another meeting place.

Why do I love Second Life? First of all, you can build things there. I have learned all about animation and architecture there and have built many buildings and sculptures there. I could never accomplish in Real Life what I have accomplished there because I'm not strong enough to build something all by myself here in Real Life. Second Life has sparked my imagination and been truly inspirational for me.

I have been involved with meditation groups there as well as support groups of all kinds.

Artists love Second Life, like myself, because there are things which you can do there which defy the laws of physics and it's a great creative outlet. Gallery owners show Real Life artwork in galleries in Second Life and that way I can shop at a gallery in Germany or anywhere in the world from my own home.

I have met many people from all over the world. Amazing people. In Second Life people are very open and accessible. I began writing for an internet magazine based in Second Life and earned Real money for that. I wrote for them for quite a while and met tons of interesting people from all walks of life.

As Jel48 said, companies, universities and museums have buildings and parks in Second Life and hold lectures, classes and meetings there as well. NASA has an interactive space park. National Public Radio broadcasts from Second Life every Friday afternoon on Science Friday with Ira Flato.

I have seen all sizes and shapes of avatars. Some try to make their avatars as close to their real life bodies just for the challenge of it. Others like to have what they can't have in real life. To each his own is how I feel.

I have never ditched my husband and children for anyone in Second Life and he only occasoinally complained that I was on too much because I was working on a story. I kept pointing out to him that it was no different than if I were writing for a real life paper and he finally understood it. I invited my husband to join me in Second Life many times but it just didn't interest him. It takes time to learn how to operate there, how to walk, etc., and he just didn't have the patience for it.

Sorry this is a bit long, but just thought I should throw my two cents in.

A couple of pictures of me at different times:

As an Asian doll

As just a girl

Have vaguely heard of it. Doesn't sound like something I could get into.

I'm 80 today.

Limited days left on my candle.

Too much left to accomplish in the real world, sick as it is, to spend much time in a fake one.

Building castles in air?

However - maybe some might be interested in more effectve ways to manage their lives/dollars ...

... and actual, rather than virtual, community ...

... actual, rather than virtual country ...

... actual, rather than virtual hemisphere ...

... actual, rather than virtual community of nations/world??

Would they stay with their game if their house were on fire ...

... would the firemen have to carry their game out with them?

Methinks I smell smoke in our house.

ole joyful

P.S. Obama's unhappy - the wall street movers and shakers have voted themselves 18B in bonuses!!

Let their treasuries pay that back to the U.S. Treasury, say I!!

And - I don't pay taxes in the U.S.!!

o j

I'm not good at pretending..even for amusement..just don't get this at all.

Second life is no better or worse than what the people who use it want it to be. Affairs have developed and marraiges been ruined by irresponsible people who have met and become involved with others in real life, in online forums (yes, I bet even GW and possibly even KT), in online chats, on MySpace, on Facebook, and on and on.

Second life does have a lot of potential use for businesses, education, etc. But it can also be used for amusement and, as such, can suck up all of someone's time, to the detriment of home and family, just like the forums can.

Some people will like it and use it responsibly. Some will like it and use it irresponsibly. Some will let it's use ruin their lives. It's just like anything else online and just like many things in real life.

I'm just trying to say that it's not Second Life that's a culprit or a waste of time. It's what people choose to do with it.

That said, I am, like I said, somewhat familiar with it. When I first heard about it, I signed up and built an avatar. I looked at the IBM stuff. I looked around at a little other stuff. And since then, I haven't looked at it for probably 9-12 months now.

I would like to go look at the forbidden kingdom as I mentioned earlier. Because I can't find the same sort of virtual tour on google and I don't have a relative or friend who has been there and can show me photos and videos. I might get on it again some time for that. But it didn't suck me in and it won't.

Like most of the rest of you, I'd rather spend time with my husband and family and friends.

But none of that makes Second Life itself a bad thing.

Second Life was described to me by a member as..."a place that accepts me as I want to be, not as I am".

IMO, not a healthy remark.

I agree Monica. I am who I am here. I wouldn't have the time or energy to come up with a persona and then have to try to remember who the heck I'm supposed to be. LOL That would be too much work. hehehe

Unfortunately, there are always those who will try to be someone else. That can happen here too. I pretty much take everyone at face value, but I know there are pretenders on the forums too. If not here in KT, then other places. I'm me too, on KT and everywhere I go on line. I like me. I don't want to be someone else :-)

I guess this thread has just kind of bothered me because I honestly believe that people are responsible for their own actions. Second Life isn't responsible for my actions or your actions or anyone elses, just as real life isn't responsible. We are responsible.

I think it may be a sore spot because I see this in so much of society today. People who don't accept accountability for their own actions. It's someone else's fault, or socieity's fault. I just don't agree with that.

Ok, off my soapbox now :-)

Oh, I definitely agree jel48. It's similiar to people not liking myspace or facebook because some people have met others and had affairs with people they've met on those sites. These are probably the same people who would have had an affair with someone they met in the grocery store, church, or at the post office. It's not the site, per se, that's the problem. For some people, it's just another form of escaping their real life, as they could with gambling, online gaming, or drugs and alcohol. But of course there are plenty of normal people with healthy lives that go to Second Life also. It definitely is fun to go exploring there.

Second Life: I think it is escapism, a way to ditch the cares of ordinary life and live a fantacy without taking on responsibilities. Sadly, I see a lot of problems today due to people not being responsible for their own actions, fostering the idea that "if I can get by with it, it is ok. Its only a sin if I get caught."

Just for the fun of it, I downloaded it. I don't see what the point of it is. I used to go to chat rooms (Talk City, years and years ago) and it was more fun. LOL I'll probably uninstall it before the weekend is over.

Wow, just because I enjoy this website when I have time you guys tell me that I have deep problems and I would be better off spending the time with my family. I thought that if I shared some of the benefits of Second Life you might have some insight (if you haven't been there) and understand, but it seems most of you are only judging me and others who enjoy this entertainment. What's the difference if I go into my craft room and work on a quilt or knitting a sweater or go to this place and have interesting conversation with people from all over the world? I can write my sister a letter and send it by snail mail, or I can go to AIM or Yahoo and have a chat with her, or I can go to Second Life and we can walk around together and check out some of the fun stuff to see. What's the difference? I haven't seen her in years because she lives in Scotland. Same goes for my kids. We meet in Second Life, too. It doesn't mean I have deep emotional problems, am neglecting my family or don't have any friends in real life.

bigbaby, I don't see any problem with that at all. I think it's great that you can meet up with your family like that.

Hi,
Just to refresh some memories, and for you newer members to the forum I'll say that I'm bigbabys husband. I don't post a lot here, usually just on the I'll show you mine.. thread most days.
I've checked out 2nd life and the way I see it is that it's not that much different than what is right here. Except, there is a visual side to it that doesn't exist here. It's a way to meet people from all over the world and exchange ideas and information.
As for getting sucked in and loosing all track of time it's no different than when bigbaby goes into her art studio and starts working on some project. The same thing happens to me when I get out in my lath house and start working with my plants. What feels like 20 minutes is really 2 hours. I think that happens to any of us when we're doing something we enjoy.
Just my 2 cents.

Ron

The following is just my opinion like
others here, however I would ask that it
be read with an open mind.

Tolerance is a great thing people.
Learning how to discuss feelings and ideas
in a non-threatening way is also good.
Sharing ideas and feelings or discussing an
issue IS NOT the same as arguing.
Arguments over who is right become very
negative, very quickly.
Threads in a forum that have such hostility
that others feel the need to Defend themselves
or others are also "not healthy"
Crazy comments that call Second life evil or
that come off abusive are "not healthy remarks".

There is no reason for anyone to use their words
for any kind of harm. It's not nice, and it's
really bad manners.

Having opinions can be done without "bashing"
and idea or game like Second Life in such an
abusive way.
Noone can change your opinion on a thing unless
you let it. I'm not here to try and change your
negative or positive views on Second Life.
Please feel free to feel and think whatever
you wish.

You do however have complete control on how you
express your feelings, thoughts, views etc.
You are responsible for how you treat others
even if it's just online, like a little forum.
Just because you do not use profanity on the
forum doesn't mean your words could never be
perceived as Abusive.

If you think it is worth your time to put
a post on a forum then perhaps it is also
worth your time to self-edit your post so that
true discussion can happen instead of ugly
bashing and flaming.

As another followup...
I do sincerely feel there are many in this thread
who want true discussion and sharing of ideas.
It just really upsets me to see a few people
be so negative.

I don't get it.

I thought an avatar was a postage stamp sized picture you pasted next to your name on a message board.

This Second World thing? Maybe it's for people who aren't fulfilled in the Real World? I don't know, but it doesn't sound healthy.

First of all, let me say...that woman would have found another way to leave her husband through some other vehicle if not SecondLife.

I heard about SecondLife while attending a Library Conference. Many schools, businesses and libraries have sites in SecondLife. A university near me has their bio chem labs within SecondLife. It's the only way students can manipulate DNA.

I attend many book discussions with others, and enjoy many live concerts there.

I used to spend a lot of time at the Kitchen Table too. Someone in here used to have a business in Second Life.

There is a lot of creativty in SL, amazing sims (sites) where people get to develop their skills.

One woman does not make SecondLife a bad thing.

Cardamom and others...could you explain the cost factors. I see there is a one time fee and then others for building etc.

What does the one time fee allow access to?

8. How much does Second Life cost?

A single Basic account is FREE. Additional Basic accounts cost a $9.95 one-time fee. Premium accounts (required for getting land) start at $9.95/month and up. See Pricing for details.

Here is a link that might be useful: Second Life FAQ

I don't think it's a bad thing, but sheesh, I have trouble keeping track of, and living, my First Life, never mind a Second Life, lol.

It wouldn't be a bad thing for people to spend time on if they can do it in moderation-without letting it affect the quality of their real life. But it isn't for me.

I agree with most of the posts. If you enjoy 2nd life, and can still maintain your normal family life and work, friends etc, no harm done. I've never looked at it, but I"m sure it's got lots of good points when used correctly.

When you get sucked into spending 17 hours a day, everyday, neglecting everything else and having virtual sex with some stranger, then there is a major problem. I also agree that that woman was not happy in her life and would have found another way to leave eventually.

All of us have some type of outlets that's human nature and healthy! Whether it be KT, crafts, pets, volunteering etc. Sometimes we get caught up in it, but as long as there's a balance and/or moderation, I don't see the harm.

I was LMBO at justlinda said I don't think it's a bad thing, but sheesh, I have trouble keeping track of, and living, my First Life, never mind a Second Life, lol.