So do you think people, once they learn to build a paradise in a virtual world will ever want to come back to the "real world" afterwards? Will they retreat? will they strive to mirror the virtual world in the real one? I'm curious to see how the future of this will play out...
Unlimited real estate sounds like a good money maker tho! ;-)
I really don't know. TO confuse matters more, we might believe/see/remember that the real world is illusion (Maya)as well. In the most optimistic view (which is lodged in the motivation center of me but is not without its sisters of doubt), I feel that virtual worlds can be arenas for practicing a spiritual transformation that will remain intact in the 'player' and affect their perception and behavior in the 'real world'.
In a way I see it as a condensed school Maya. Perhaps many will be trapped into taking IT as 'the new real' and only be immersed in the same habits and cycles as they cultivated on this level. But I think that in a few years the overviews of virtual worlds will help us to better understand our own potential/existence as an organism within an organism within an organism, etc. What IS our purpose in the 'real world'? I can't answer that. Right now, 'inworld' and 'out', I'm playing a game that I feel I must. I am driven to. I cannot see past the horizon, but I am following steps from dreams. (what are dreams?and why have they predicted so many RL things for me?)In this next step I am supposed to help cultivate a meme of 10% within the economy structure of the businesses in Second Life. If it takes on hugely, it may help the meme to spread in 'real life', until most/all our behaviors are symbiotic. What then? dunno. walk into another dream?
On a more direct note, yes, I think that the worlds (real and virtual) will begin to mirror eachother more and more. There is a danger for many who are very unsatisfied with their 'real life' and have cultivated a paradise online, I agree. Ever the optimist, there is a possibility that they will come to understand the behavior/perspective changes necessary to have a more satisfying real life and try to mirror the behaviors that connected them to others and/or made them feel good about themselves (cultivating creativity for example). Walking through a park in SL and then walking through a park in NYC....well, its quite different. no one reaches out. It's a very interesting social experiment to say the least. I'm fascinated by the psychology aspect of cyberspace and hope that there will be much more research on it. In SL, for example, if you have a good interaction, you can be 'rated' positively by the person if they choose. Same exists in real life but we don't see it so clearly all the time. It's kind of bizarre, and controversial, but for some it might be helpful practice and training in basic social skills that will help them feel more confident in the Real world.
I have a movie recommendation for you: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring. I know I'm linking to a site with a trailer, but don't watch the trailer! It gives too much of the seasons away, and kinda ruins the visual surprise. Feel free to explore the synopsis n' stuff, but be careful not too look at it too much - just trust me on this one. It's an absolutely breathtaking Buddhist fable in four parts; the set will blow you away, the themes will infiltrate your thoughts for weeks afterwards. If you can still catch it on big screen, do so! :)
(This is my thank-you for the Wings of Desire recommendation ;)
ohmygosh that looks positively amazing. (and I didn't look too much, like you said;) thanks so much!! it's not playing anywhere out here, but we are SO going to see it one way or another.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2004-07-30 02:10 am (UTC)Unlimited real estate sounds like a good money maker tho! ;-)
no subject
Date: 2004-07-30 09:47 am (UTC)TO confuse matters more, we might believe/see/remember that the real world is illusion (Maya)as well. In the most optimistic view (which is lodged in the motivation center of me but is not without its sisters of doubt), I feel that virtual worlds can be arenas for practicing a spiritual transformation that will remain intact in the 'player' and affect their perception and behavior in the 'real world'.
In a way I see it as a condensed school Maya. Perhaps many will be trapped into taking IT as 'the new real' and only be immersed in the same habits and cycles as they cultivated on this level. But I think that in a few years the overviews of virtual worlds will help us to better understand our own potential/existence as an organism within an organism within an organism, etc.
What IS our purpose in the 'real world'? I can't answer that.
Right now, 'inworld' and 'out', I'm playing a game that I feel I must. I am driven to. I cannot see past the horizon, but I am following steps from dreams. (what are dreams?and why have they predicted so many RL things for me?)In this next step I am supposed to help cultivate a meme of 10% within the economy structure of the businesses in Second Life. If it takes on hugely, it may help the meme to spread in 'real life', until most/all our behaviors are symbiotic. What then? dunno. walk into another dream?
no subject
Date: 2004-07-30 12:15 pm (UTC)Check it out!
no subject
Date: 2004-07-30 10:14 am (UTC)Ever the optimist, there is a possibility that they will come to understand the behavior/perspective changes necessary to have a more satisfying real life and try to mirror the behaviors that connected them to others and/or made them feel good about themselves (cultivating creativity for example).
Walking through a park in SL and then walking through a park in NYC....well, its quite different. no one reaches out. It's a very interesting social experiment to say the least. I'm fascinated by the psychology aspect of cyberspace and hope that there will be much more research on it.
In SL, for example, if you have a good interaction, you can be 'rated' positively by the person if they choose. Same exists in real life but we don't see it so clearly all the time. It's kind of bizarre, and controversial, but for some it might be helpful practice and training in basic social skills that will help them feel more confident in the Real world.
no subject
Date: 2004-07-31 06:07 am (UTC)off topic
Date: 2004-08-02 08:21 am (UTC)(This is my thank-you for the Wings of Desire recommendation ;)
Re: off topic
Date: 2004-08-02 10:21 pm (UTC)thanks so much!! it's not playing anywhere out here, but we are SO going to see it one way or another.