Dr. Thornburg states that a disruptive technology is a “new technology that surfaces without any warning, does the same thing as another technology but more efficiently, and changes things in the process (Laureate Education, Inc, 2011).” Second Life is a mass multi-player universe, 3-D online virtual world where avatars do the things that real people do in real life. It was created by San Francisco-based software maker Linden Labs and was founded by Philip Rosedale. It is created by membership in which the members get an identity as an avatar and take up residence. The avatar moves from place to place by using the mouse and some of the keyboard buttons. Second Life is a place the avatar can connect, shop, work, explore, change your look, find love or romance, free your mind buy property, start businesses, play games, create objects, join clubs, attend classes, or hang out. It also includes sound such as the wind blowing, brooks flowing, audible conversation, and built in chatting as well as instant messaging. Second Life is a disruptive technology because it was built to mirror the Internet.
Second Life replaces social interaction websites because it has so many ways for people to meet, talk, interact and find and meet new people. It will replace traditional face to face instruction, some online virtual games, training and workshops for businesses, and virtual zoos, museums and tours. Second Life provide its members or residents everything that they would need out in the real world such as schools, jobs, social activities, stores, parks and zoos.
It does seem that in the near future Second Life will be replaced by other technology such as OpenSim World. According to Schonfield, “browser-based virtual worlds (Google Lively) and client-based world (Like Worlds of Warcraft) are technologies that will soon replace Second Life (Schonfield, 2008).” Also, there is the possibility of a technology emerging that lets the actual member or resident visit Second Life as themselves.
Second Life allows people to interact socially and economically. They can interact and communicate by textual chat, verbal communication, meeting people in dance clubs, and joining in with people with the same interest as well as interacting on their jobs. Second Life provides shopping which is a way that some people like to get together and socialize with other people.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Disruptive technology. Baltimore,
MD: Author
Schonfield, E. (2008). Philip Rosedale doesn't see browser-based virtual worlds as a
threat to second life. is he in denial? Retrieved from
Marion
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I have not gotten into Second Life, but I play a lot of games on Facebook and some are set up like Second Life. I really think Second Life and games of this type are the way of the future. With this said I feel that people will put the real world out of their life and go more toward the technology world.
Marion
ReplyDeleteJust like Lou I have not gotten into Second Life. I have completed very little research on the topic. Technology is wonderful but I hope that people do not get so amazed by Second Life that forget reality and try to do the same things they do in Second Life in real life. It is a wonderful concept but it should use with caution and just plain common sense.
Sandra
Hey Marion,
ReplyDeleteI think that one of the main attractions for Second Life id for users to remain anonymous. What do you think?
Hi Marion,
ReplyDeleteLike the other respondents here, I have not gotten into Second Life. I barely have time for my first life with school, family, and work, much less a second, imaginary existence. I can only imagine how how much fun it would be to not be your real self for awhile and re-invent yourself. I would like to be a younger, cooler Avaratar =)