More from Second Life

February 26, 2007

Savvy observers of the interface of humans and technology have been casting an eye on Second Life’s particular instance: that between humans and technologically-delivered virtual reality. In this LA Times story, the growing pains of the virtual community are under scrutiny, including its experience of terrorism and the appearance of mainstream (non-virtual) brands.

One is reminded of the early days of the internet itself, when “netiquette” reigned and early adopters early adopted a utopianism that now seems silly. Whether Amazon and Ebay have ruined the web or shown that even technology can sometimes be useful has ceased to keep us awake at night.

Virtual loses its virtues
By Alana Semuels, Times Staff Writer

February 22, 2007

LIKE any pioneer, Marshal Cahill arrived in a new world curious and eager to sample its diversions. Over time, though, he saw an elite few grabbing more than their share.

They bought up all the plum real estate. They awarded building contracts to friends. They stifled free speech.

Cahill saw a bleak future, but he felt powerless to stop them. So he detonated an atomic bomb outside an American Apparel outlet. Then another outside a Reebok store.

As political officer for the Second Life Liberation Army, Cahill is passionately committed to righting what he considers the wrongs of a world that exists only on the computer servers of Linden Lab in San Francisco.