Second Life Is All About People~~ The Two Schools Of Tought!!

When I talk about Second Life, with people that have not experienced it; I find myself trying to give an elaborate explanations for something that is actually fairly simple.  When reading Second Life profiles; two schools of thought, as to what Second Life is, comes jumping out at you.

First, and probably the position every new person to Second Life finds themselves in, is that SL is a game. We have been given so may gaming opportunities with computers and gaming platforms that to think that SL is just another game would be an obvious first observation.

Second, and this idea forms after a short time in SL for those who even show the slightest maturity, is that Second Life is a Social Network. I truly believe this to be the case.

Each day we interact with people all over the world. Just as Facebook does. But I believe that Second Life gives a much more personal insight into the people we interact with than other social networks do. On Facebook we input information and share it with others. Friends are added to your Friends List, except for those you actual come into contact with in your actual life, without any real interaction. 

On Second Life; interaction with others is constant, with or without voice input and many times over extended lenghts of time. You actually get to know someone much as you would if you are sitting across the kitchen table from them. Well at least you do if you ever get over the 'SL Is A Game Belief'. Truthfully, most people who never advance past the GAME phase; are short lived in Second Life.

At events I host inworld; I see groups of people arrive together for each event, couples always together and friends enjoying each others company for long periods of time. Second Life mimicking Real Life is a fact not a fantasy.

Of course there are some down sides to any life, this quote, I believe covers them nicely.

There are things that we don't want to happen, but have to accept; things we don't want to know, but have to learn; and people we can't live without, but have to let go.
-Unknown-

At an event, this past week, I saw to women enjoying the show and learned that they have been friends since 2006 in Second Life. After speaking with them I found that in all that time they rarely miss a day that they do not speak to each other. This is true for many other people in SL. I actually have SL friends that I have spoken to almost everyday for nearly 4 years. Now that is a social network worth investigating.

Of course, just like any other activity, Second Life will give you what you put into it.

Finally; for those that say they absolutely need the physical contact of Real Life, I give you this.

"It's often just enough to be with someone. I don't need to touch them. Not even talk. A feeling passes between you both. You're not alone.
~~Marilyn Monroe"

The woman might have been blond; but there is more intelligence there then meets the eye.
  
Love ya,
Night