The Winter Solstice: Interview with Kara Foxdale, priestess at Sacred Cauldron- Bimala Tagore Reporting

All around the world December is the most mystic month of the year. If you feel more spiritual or sentimental, maybe it’s the influence of the “Winter Solstice”. The behavior of our Sun and its influence on the Earth leads us down new paths.

The solstice will encourage us to do some depth searching about our directions. The Winter Solstice has historical, cultural and religious significance. Many cultures organize feasts and festivals around this time.  It was originally an important pagan feast. Christianity projected itself into the popular tradition of the birth of Jesus. We could delve into the mystery of this festivity at the hand of Kara Foxdale, priestess at Sacred Cauldron.   

Bimala: What is a “Winter solstice”?

Kara: “The Winter Solstice occurs astrologically, when the Sun reaches the coordinate of zero degrees Capricorn. The planet most resonant with Capricorn is Saturn.  Both Capricorn and Saturn symbolize the laws, boundaries, rules and operating manual of the culture. The Solstice it starts on December 20 or on 21st which the solstice falls on normally is called the festival of the year Yule, celebrated by burning the hearth fires of the Yule log”. 

“The word Solstice comes from the Latin word “Solstitum” being a combination of two words “sol” meaning Sun and “stitum” meaning stop.    The Solstice has been celebrated around the world centuries before the Christian holiday Christmas. However came about from Christianity which had taken over the holiday and moved it to December 25 to Jesus birthday”. 

Bimala:  Special attention should be paid to the cultural and religious significance of this time. Could you tell us about the relevance of the Solstice and Equinox in Spirituality?

Kara: “Many mythology stories of a God being born on December 21st is Horus the Egyptian God who was born from his mother Isis and father Osiris. His birth was like Jesus as Osiris was not alive when Isis became with child.   Other Mythology is about Odin who would represent the Holy King and also being known as Santa Claus.  In other religions such as: Pagans, Wiccans, Norse, Celtic, and others celebrate Yule, from December 21st and on wards in recognition of the return of the Sun. Significance of bringing home a Yule log is to be burn with their families”.

“Let’s look at the Sun for a moment here it's duty to shine in the universe and throughout time in ancient history.  History itself spreads across each country and has built on cultures and religion.  In Paganism which happens to become a wide variety of religions branching down such as Wicca, Celtic, Druidism, Shamanism, Egyptian, Norse, Heathern, and other new age spirituality.”

Bimala:    You were very precise and it was very interesting. The animism perceived the presence of the supernatural as integral to, and linked with, the physical world. Every mountain, river, spring, marsh, tree and rocky outcrop was inspirited.  In this sense, the sun had been worshiped by many cultures for centuries. It represents the main spiritual force.

Kara: “We know that the Sun is a source of all light and life it is the center to all spirituality and the journey of the Sun through the sky or even the planets with it.  It can be marked as, the four directions starting with spring, summer, autumn and Winter Solstice.  The Solstices also equal to the four cardinal points East, South, West and North and the elements (Earth, Fire, Water and Air).   Each of the Solstices are symbols across the Wheel Of The Year with the Sun at the center of the wheel.   As the Earth moves in the sky the Sun changes positions in the sky, which influences over the light and darkness, day and night and death of the passing of the seasons, but they also hold a greater spiritual significance”.

Mother Earth also known as Gaia heart beat slows down,  in us knowing that we have to remember to slow down as well.  Being balanced is always important as our energies and feelings can come out during this time we think of those who we have lost and have grief for.  The whole of the seasons also bring into mind the sense of life to continue a never ending cycle of death and rebirth also known as reincarnation.  There is a deep spiritual connection in all of this and our calendar holds the records all of these solstices or also called “Sabbath holidays” as they follow the Sun's cycles as the Earth moves around in a circle clockwise or called desoil.” 

Bimala:    So beautiful all you share. If we want to become more linked to our self, is The Winter Solstice” a great opportunity to develop and formulate our visions?

Kara: “How would you formulate your own ideas?  What actions are you working on to achieving what you say or how would you manifest these goals?  Look at it as, the God is waking up from his slumber sleep and the Goddess now is going to rest now.  So the solar aspect of the Sun shining down upon us we are the children of both God and Goddess, Lord and Lady.  Your own focus should be your life, what you should  you recognize and give sacrifice to the necessary?  Acknowledgment or validation of the changes going on around you during each season. The change of the world around us and how the seasons move from one to the other we can see each one how it falls into place along the way and in celebration.

Bimala    Your words were a great inspiration and encouragement for me. For such inspiration rituals are superfluous. Let us know about some ceremonies. They are so significant for us to sanctify daily life and for groups of people to bond. How can we participate in this rite in real life and second life?

Kara: “In real you can find a group that is open to all who can come and attend a Real Life ceremony. You can look for real life groups off of Yahoo groups, www.wtichvox.com, Meetup, Facebook and other sources.  You can also decorate your home with a pine tree, decorations, and a Yule log to burn using pine cones, ribbons, candles, incense, using a table or altar to put your decorations on, poinsettias, rein deer, Santa and other decorations.  Food can be hearty such as stews, bread, cider, mead, mince meat pie, soups, and other winter foods. In second life world you can come to our Sim Sacred Cauldron and we are holding a Yule Ritual on December 19, 2014 at 7pm SLT. 

Our rituals are open to the public and we welcome everyone who comes to our sim we are known as a safe haven and a place of worship and if you are seeking the Wiccan or any spirituality path. We are a Moderate Sim welcome all types of avies from Dragons, fairies, fae, dogs, cats, wolves, and more”.

Bimala: I will be there for sure. In fact, you are part of a Wicca study group in real life.

Kara: We are a real life organization and hold classes in world from our website (www.wiccanseminary.edu). We also are nonprofit and you can earn a degree in ministry from our school called “Woolsten-Steen Seminary located in Index, Washington”.    Our classes in world cover on a wide variety of Wicca, Ritual, Crystals, Sacred Sexuality, Sacred Dance, Wheel of the Year, Shamanism, Celtic, Norse, Egyptian, Meditation, Greek Mythology, History of Wicca, Pagan Parenting , Kabbalah, Tarot and divination, healing and other classes.  To take classes there is a fee of 39.00 dollars a month which goes to helping the school and our sim staying open as, we are a nonprofit organization as the teachers are volunteering their time some without payment.  

Our school and sim flourishes in helping those who are traveling a journey to wanting to learn and obtain knowledge.  If you visit our website you will all the programs and classes that I have mentioned above.  We have other programs in our school that helps with finance situations and there is an application for both processes.

More information:

Sacred Cauldron and the Wiccan seminary http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sacred%20Cauldron/213/166/33

http://wiccanseminary.edu/

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Freecilla Kuhn: Master 3D Builder in Second Life- Bimala Tagore Reporting...

 Building plays a vital role in Second Life. Tallstructures, magic cities and warm communities marvel us day after day as an integral part of virtual urban experience. 3D building is a skill to be mastered.  The builders behind these constructions are what we love.  The following lady has paved the way for creative and daring designs in Second Life.

 Freecilla Kuhn has risen to become a well-respected builder. Her work at TRP360 is widely recognized and covers extensive ground ranging from the  official oval office of the President of the United State, the fastest racing cars on the grid, Fun Houses filled with joy and adventure, restaurants with a stunning view of Toronto, rolling hills, dunes, tunnels, and an urban lifestyle with unique shopping.

You can find inspiration simply by visiting them and discovering their special backgrounds.

Interview with Freecilla:

Bimala: In my opinion, 3d builders are “creation spirits”. You have some kind of “divine power” in Second Life because everything we see around us was designed by intelligent and artistic people like you. Please, tell us about your “divine qualities” in Second Life. 

Freecilla: “As an artist I find SL to be a great way to create because it crosses a variety of skill sets. First you can build in 3D, secondly you can create the textures for the 3D builds and third you can then add scripting so others can interact with your creations instead of just looking at them. An added joy is the ability to see others enjoying the environments you have created over and over again that is the best reward.”

Bimala: Definitely you made your work stand out in order to draw the viewer's eye.   Explain to our readers about your finest passion of 3D building and what kind of structures do you prefer to build? 

Freecilla: “In total I have 7 listings in the SL Destination Guide all located in my one simulation. I love building real life places and neighborhoods because I get to go in to detail but my favorite is building the fun house experience. I have 2 fun houses, a small with 25 rooms and a big one with 86 rooms in it. I would like to make more but I cannot afford it or the land I would need. In fun houses I can choose any theme for each room and find a way to add jokes, surprises and freebies. I try to make each room a, "this is so cool" moment for the visitors. Everyone has their favorite rooms and they are all different from each other’s favorites, which are funny.”

Bimala: Enlighten us a little bit more about your Fun Houses from underworld, where you go in, but you don't return. I will never forget that amazing tour!

Freecilla: “The best part of making the Fun Houses is to make it easy for people to find the way so they will not get frustrated but also make each room interesting enough that will be delayed by enjoying the elements in each room based on the theme. Each room has a touch if the familiar, (swing blades as you walk on the ledge or you are a giant in the room or you are as small as a bug) but we can actually be there in the situation and we cannot really get hurt. If people expect to go one way then the other way is usually the right way. Other rooms are just there for us to play in because it is fun, the way out is super easy but people stay a few minutes just to experience the silliness. I think it help to have simple fun added to the more difficult rooms for a more rounded adventure.”

Bimala: I had a great time there. I didn’t know where I was going and I was more into just having good time. I was impressed. I can tell by your  builds where all the fun happens, you take work seriously. The role of professional support you give to your clients is important to note. The quality of your service is handy to mention too.

Freecilla: “When building virtual simulations for others I tell them to make a list of changes and additions needed as often as possible. It is important they understand I can make whatever they want but I have to know in great detail what it is that they want so I can make it. Everything is totally customizable and can be made to match anyone's imagination. This has to be a close personal relationship so they are happy with what they end up with in the end. I also enjoy adding my own details based on the build which can be removed or built upon to enhance the final simulation as they see fit.”

Bimala: I have also visited many of the cities you have set in your profile. I appreciated the quality of your constructions and mostly they are based on real world building. Are you concerned about detail in your constructions?

Freecilla: “I have 20 years of real life experience in interior/exterior design and construction. I believe this helps me a great deal since I know how and why buildings are built the way they are in real life. A small example is when people build a house in virtual reality they never start with a foundation and wonder why something does not look right but they cannot put their finger on it. There are many more examples or these types’ elements one must use when building in 3D. I use the word "detail" quite a bit because it is very important and so much fun in the fine tuning of an environment, it makes a build complete.”

Bimala: I am impressed with Stonehenge. You made a wonderful prehistoric monument for the residents of Second Life to tour. Tell us a little bit more about this mystic build.

Freecilla: “I have seen many builds of Stonehenge in virtual reality; unfortunately they are all built the way it looks now. I wanted the recreate it brand new, the way it looked when it was first built in real life, to scale and full size. After building it I was not impressed because we can fly virtual reality and flying around it made it seem too simple looking so I put it up in outer space with many clickable rides, (planets, comets etc.) all around it so people would have something do, again, instead of just something to look at. Originally when I came to SL they had classic clouds and my Stonehenge was set just above those clouds so they acted as the floor to make it more mystical and so we could not see the ground.”

Bimala: What is your opinion about huge buildings in meshes? Do they work well for everybody?

Freecilla: “For me personally right now the huge mesh builds are a disaster. My computer, like that of many others, is too old so it is not compatible with the new SL viewer so I can only see mesh in its prim form. All walls and floors are flat spheres and furniture is big balls, I cannot see when I go into any mesh building. Maybe one day in the future when I can afford a new computer I will have a better way to reply to this question. I do however get a lot of compliments that my Virtual Toronto has so much detail but there is no lag, this is because it is all made with prims, limited simple sculpts and no mesh, maybe that's why it's lag free.”

Take a look at her beautiful buildings. They always leave us with our mouths opens

Visit: http://www.trp360.com

TRP360 - SL Destination Guide Listings:

·         Virtual Toronto: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sialimonus/93/98/1201

·         Virtual Oval Office: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sialimonus/190/236/68

·         TRP360 Fun House: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sialimonus/49/65/294

·         TRP360 Fun House 2: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sialimonus/123/128/717

·         StoneHenge Outer Space Park: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sialimonus/155/167/210

·         360 Global Racing: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sialimonus/127/128/381

·         The Dunes Raceway: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sialimonus/15/140/1600

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Spotlight on the Kissing Booth and Valeria Paster-Bimala Tagore Reporting

The Kissing Booth brought to Second Life from The SIMS Online nearly a decade ago. Its objective was to become a local icon through lighting and friendly club entertainment and has certainly made its mark. Valeria Paster is the creator and responsible for this a small intimate friendly place. Both Drums, a great dancer and guru of music along with Valeria Paster represents the joy of living intensely. Following-up and continuity are important, as well as keeping promises to become a musical cult and unique club with kind avatars, DJs and mentors. The Kissing Booth features the kind of attention that is sure to gratify the most challenging visitor and will certainly stimulate the five senses of those who appreciate relationships, worthy music, kisses, bites and funny people who share the same interests.

Valeria is firmly established as an entertainment promoter in Second Life and it is something that nobody would deny, because she has more followers and true friends more than most in Second Life. It can be seen by the large numbers of avatars who gather at the club.

Interview with Valeria

Bimala: Valeria, could you tell me about the trajectory of Kissing Booth’s. I know you started in “The Sims Online”, a highly popular computer game, and then migrated to Second Life in 2006. Tell us about this amazing historic process.

Valeria: Oct 2003 I downloaded the “Sims online”, when searching for a place I saw a place called “The Kissing Room” so I landed there. There was a girl named Sally just building the room. She asked me if I wanted to be a roommate and I said yes at that time. She was charging like 10 “Simoleans” for a kiss any way’s then  I went on vacation for 2 weeks when I came back she had changed the name to “THE KISSING BOOTH” and no longer charged for a kiss :)  We were number one romance house in “The Sims Online” after 6 months Sally turned over the “Kissing Booth” land to me she said that it was me and I was always there running the place for her. She moved on in “The Sims online” for other avenues, so, I decided to make a kissing booth in Second Life when “The Sims online” went out of business. I think it was like august 2006. I made a Valeria in Second Life who was owner in “The Sims online” and along with my RL Sister Tammie Trottier we decided to buy two plots of land which had 117 prims for each plot. We had total of 234 prims for our very first Kissing Booth in Second life. We put a kissing booth stand that my friend made, and asked another “The Sims online” friend to make 4 walls and floor with no ceiling. However most the people that came to “The Kissing Booth” was friends from TSO but we continued to make new friends here in Second Life at that time we just played R&B on the radio but one day we found out that we could stream into Second Life, so we got a DJ friend from “Sims online”, his name is DJ Canuck who worked for Volt Radio at that time. Then we started having DJ's coming in then themes & contests. DJ Dreams, DJ Pasing Wind, DJ Stella, they would bring their friends and the friends brought their friends and it just snowballed. This is how the “The Kissing Booth” got started in Second Life.

Bimala: The best DJs from all over the virtual world come to Kissing Booth joining the best club and the best nightlife.  Since the beginning of the Kissing Booth, your venue has been a welcoming “domicile” for new members and also the best spot to meet and share with friends over the last 8 years. In this regard, Kissing Booth´s is where many Djs take pride in sharing music with patrons. Most of them manage their own music collections. Why is Kissing Booth so successful and how it packs the house every weekend?

Valeria: I feel the “Kissing Booth” in Second Life is unique & we are PG which it’s safe for just about any age, it’s a small & friendly club, after myself going to other clubs the KB always feels like home and I have been told that many times over the years. We have loyal regulars VIPs & STAFF. We have about 1400 in the group, but over all we are family at the Kissing Booth. We greet everyone that comes in and make them feel at home. We have many awesome dances in dance pad, dance balls and couples dances, unlike other clubs you walk in don't know where the dance balls are, no one greets you. We also give a little linden love as well with a random drawing, coin tosses, etc.

Bimala: We are individually responsible for the influences that we apply on others. Noob support is some kind of social assistance in this virtual world and in this amazing story, Djs entertainment are the main attraction in your club. We entertain ourselves by dancing around the fires to the beat of the music or joining the ritual of good companionship because we all know music is a cultural phenomenon in Second Life. Please tell us about the huge body of virtual souls congregated in Kissing Booth?

Valeria: We have awesome DJs who are free to play what they want, which is many genre and people keep coming back so it tells me we are doing the right thing. We are almost to 80k people coming in the KB for the last 5 years. Did not count how many before that but I think that's a very big accomplishment and tells me we are doing something right

Bimala: I will take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to those DJS who initiated this noble job and their followers. They deserve our appreciation. You told us about Volt Radio, sparklingly creative community of crazy Djs. “The Kissing Book” supports its own radio. Tell us about the story of “Fly High Radio”.

Valeria: Since Fantasy2u Deere joined Second Life back in 2006, her sole aim was to share her distinctive style of music with others. By first gaining experience with her residency at the popular Kissing Booth Club, she perfected her producing skills. DJ Deere continues to entertain audiences with her original blues sets, ubiquitous rhythms, soulful melodies and unique artistry. She raises the bar as evidenced through a simple listen to her widely-acclaimed radio station, Fly High Radio. So we made her station our own station.

Bimala: In marketing some people say that a good name will last.  Kissing Booth is some kind of attraction where the man or women running the booth aren’t kissing customers for money. Why did you choose that name for your club? Have you ever seen or participated in a kissing booth? ;)

Valeria: We never charged for kisses but it does make people come in wondering what a kissing booth is. So they come in and check it out. We are in the process having a KB event where singles can come in & pay for a kiss... our club is really PG almost any age is welcome. We make everyone feel welcome if you are furies, fairy, gay, we do not discriminate in any way.

Bimala: Your support makes the difference. You have helped so many new residents get a head start in SL.  Could you expand a little bit more about this?

Valeria: If a newbie comes in whoever in the club will help them get started giving clothes, hints where to find stuff on market place or even give them skin, shapes, hair and a nice outfit. I know when I made my first Avatar in SL back in 2004 I was a complete newbie for over a year no one helped me and I almost stopped playing.. so my mission in second life is to help others enjoy second life as much as I do now... so if you are newbie and need help the kissing is the place to go... so many people drop in saying someone told them to come here to get help so I feel we are a first-aid station for newbies :) most of the newbies will move on after a month or two but to my delight they will pop in once in a while they never ever forget the KB..Below here are some feedbacks from a sign I have at the kb for the last 3 months

Definitely KISSING BOOTH is the place to be! Don’t forget to visit this fantastic club.

                                                             

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cerisyi/198/22/21

https://www.facebook.com/thekissing.booth.5

https://www.avatarsocialnetwork.com/group/59

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Living Your Lyrical Reality: Poetry Contest- Bimala Tagore Reporting

There is a beautiful Indian story it talks about Krishna, one of the innumerable Vishnu’s avatars, the preserver aspect of God within the Hindu Trinity. One day Yosada, Krishna’s mother, saw her little child’s throat and found an immense starry vault that absorbed her into an endless vision of constellations in the night sky. Yosada had full comprehension of the immensity of Krishna.

A single poem could be a magical deity throat that contains the Universe in the shortest possible space. A magical poem is like Krishna showing the cosmic form to Yasoda. A single poem could reach its most perfect literary expression in few verses.   It is a mysterious sphere that comprises the totally.

Poetry suggests instead of enounce.

Daily language or ordinary language is a different kind of expression. Used to agree with others, social purpose informing, etc. and it tends to schematize. Poetry is evocative like the blues that remind old memories. It provokes emotions in the reader and sometimes cloudy images. Poetry does not describe emotions, but it perceives. It means the reader becomes aware  directly through any of the senses. In poetry you could recognize feelings such as pain, anguish, etc., because the poet has become the best medium for expression. Imagine the silence that suggests displeasure between lovers. Poetry suggests instead of enounce.

Living your poetic reality

We want to encourage everyone to participate. Write some lines of verses after or before the snow falls. It can be a placid experience that has true bonding power. This is a perfect time to play on words. Everyone is welcome to join this competition. “We are Gitanjali Indian Society”, source of inspiration for this contest, and we are promoting poetry explicitly for avatars in this universe called Second Life.  This is our second contest and we hope steadily grown in prestige. The first prize is 10,000 linden and our reward is symbolic, because it really worth fighting for in terms of genuine literary accomplishment.

Write a poem, max 15 lines on any topic and in any style rhyming or non-rhyming. Participation is free and we accept only English language entries. The only condition is to join the group called "Gitangali Indian Society". When you have finished, you will send it to Bimala Tagore in a note card by IM. Enter as often as you like using one avatar per poem. Closing date on December 31Th 2014.  Winning poems will be announced in January.

We are expectant that we may receive your entries in soon. We have four judges and one of them is well known from the SL Enquirer.

We will feel honored to meet you all through your words. Good luck!

Visit us here

“Gitanjali Indian Society”

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pini/212/190/116

SL Enquirer

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavonia/162/27/23

http://poetrycompetiton.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-winners-revealed.html

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The Genetic Journey of Max Chatnoir- Bimala Tagore Reporting

  

Legend: Max Chatnoir and molecules background  

I had the pleasure of interviewing Max Chatnoir, a distinguished Professor of Biology in Texas Wesleyan. She is the “deity” responsible for the creation of the world Genome Island. The build is dedicated to the study of genetics. The island was designed to support genetics classes for university undergraduates studying biology, but anybody interested in science is welcome to participate.

Visitors have access to highly experienced author information, interactive microscopes,  a giant cell model, virtual experiments and variety of topics about inheritance. You will observe methodological objects related to Mendel's life and work and vast information in note cards about genetic information.

Max has made presentations about Genome Island and its use for teaching genetics at conferences sponsored by VWBPE (Virtual Worlds Best Practice in Education) Educause and the Texas Blackboard Users Group.   In Second Life she presented the opportunity to build virtual laboratories in which on line students could perform experiments and data analysis.

In this interview, Max Chatnoir shares with us her valuable experience as a teacher in a virtual classroom and interactive 3D laboratory with relevant information provided.   Although we discussed some of these topics, I would not regard them as special interests of mine, nor do I have any particular expertise in them.  I think it is simplest just to cut this statement. 

Bimala Tagore: More than five years have passed after you decided to create Genome Island. How do you evaluate your project?

Max Chatnoir: I think that virtual worlds like this one are a wonderful place for learning.  You have the advantage of personal contact with another thinking human, via the avatars, but you don't have to be physically in the same place. They can ask whatever questions they have and if I'm not here, they can just IM me, and they'll get an answer the next time I come in. it's a nice combination of personal interaction with the convenience of working online. I wish I could use it for the majors, but they have to actually work with real equipment and organisms if they are going to be scientists. It's my favorite place to teach general education courses. Science for non-majors. The students also seem to find it interesting. I teach my nonmajors course here every fall and sometimes, if we have a bad weather day, I may bring the majors in for a substitute lab. We did a three-point-test cross here once when the flies didn't come in.

Bimala Tagore: The hard path is easier when you strive to learn. I have attained some insight about cell and study of genetics in Genome Island, interactive laboratory environment. What is it about science that interests you the most?

Max Chatnoir: What interests me most is that there is always something new and interesting happening. A new genome gets sequenced, or a new gene is discovered. I always point out to the research students, that no matter what their basic project is, they are doing some kind of genetic analysis. I think one of the exciting areas of contemporary genetics is bioinformatics, which is why I have several bioinformatics activities up on the Bioinformatics platform. Comparing genomes and comparing similar genes in different species. We know that our genes didn't originate with us, but we usually don't stop to think that most of them didn't originate with us as a species.  Our genes are older than we are. A lot of bioinformatics has to do with constructing and studying the information provided in DNA and protein databases. Every time a new genome is sequenced, the information goes into those databases. To learn about what makes us, it's helpful to see what we do and don't share with other species.

Bimala Tagore: Impressive application of biological information. Does genes determine the way of how we could react to our world and even how our mind could interpret the existence?

Max Chatnoir: I do think that genes have something to do with how we experience the world and react to it. Genes encode hormones and receptors and neurotransmitters and their receptors and a lot of molecules relevant to behavior. But it's not all genetics. Experience counts too in my opinion. For example, my sister and I didn't really grow up together because she is much younger.  I was finishing college before she started high school. But it's amazing how similar our preferences are. We order the same thing in restaurants and like the same kinds of fragrances, even though we spend very little time together- Got to be some genetics in there.

The great thing about the human mind is that we don't just behave thoughtlessly, but that is overlaid on what is sometimes called the lizard brain. And I'm not a behavioral geneticist, so I'm not speaking as an expert here. But our minds are a whole additional informational layer laid over our basic biology. It's like a separate genetic code that is better developed in us than in anything else.

Bimala Tagore: Plenty of interesting subjects. Some scientists and doctors have devoted their entire lives with the study of life and living organisms. You have the “Abbey” and “Gardens” on your “sim”.  It is a tribute to Augustinian abbot Gregor Mendel. Why is it so important to become acquainted with Mendel?

Max Chatnoir: Mendel was the first person to articulate the "rules of inheritance" for sexually reproducing species. The amazing thing was that he had no idea what a gene might be. He just followed the inheritance patterns. The name "gene" wasn't even in use in his time.  He just called them "elements." Other people had done crosses similar to those Mendel did, but he was the first to offer an interpretation. Each parent provided an "element" for each of their traits. And that the offspring got one from each parent. For Mendel's traits, one of the two parental traits was always dominant to the other (but that isn't always the case);  that the parental elements sorted into the gametes at random and with equal probability. He did the mathematical analysis, and probably nobody could follow his argument at the time he first presented it. Yes, doing the mathematical analysis was unusual for biology. Although William Harvey had done something similar to prove that the blood HAD to be circulating. It couldn't just be made and destroyed all the time -- there was too much of it moving around. But most of biology was natural history.  Like Darwin was doing collection, describing, classifying. If Darwin and Mendel could have got together, they would have been a Force! But they didn't. However, they were roughly contemporary.

Bimala Tagore: Your explanation about Mendel’s positions as founder of genetics is pretty relevant. On the other hand, leading this interview toward ethics aspects, there are numerous thorny sides of genetic research that may lead to ethical and social quandaries. Gene therapy could lead to a dark side. What is your opinion in this respect?

Max Chatnoir: Sure it could. Imagine if we did start making "designer babies. Think of the social inequity, even assuming that all of the biology worked as we anticipated? And it won't. Do we really know enough about ourselves to design whatever we might think an ideal human is?

We can discover a lot about fruit fly behavior, because we don't agonize over the death of a fruit fly, but we can't do that with humans. So we have to depend on the "accidental experiments" of nature. And I'm not sure that even that is very nice.

Bimala Tagore: Regrettably, polemics about ethics are crucial. For this reason, genetics research information should always be open to frank human dialogue and Genome Island can communicate to non-expert too.

Max Chatnoir: I think that it can help with what the average citizen needs to understand about science and scientific thinking. Everybody doesn't need to know how to run a centrifuge, but everybody should be able to understand a scientific argument.

Bimala Tagore: I really appreciate the opportunity for this stimulating interview. Thank you very much.

Max Chatnoir: My pleasure

More information:

Visit Genome Island: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Genome/121/145/53

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Avatars on top: How does Second Life empower you? Bimala Tagore Reporting…

How does SL empower you? How does this virtual world provides you resources, opportunities and personal growth motivation? Do you think SL has permitted you to create an environment where you can realize activities that expand awareness and identity, enhance talents and contribute to the realization of visions and desires?

We are talking about any kind of growth whether daring shows, fashion magazines, unexplored business, boundless love, discovering your hidden talents, etc. Empowerment in SL includes a background which holds opportunities for reaching any kind of goals.

La Freese, Sagia, Subtlety Dalglish, Eugenia Calderon and Nino de Amore were recently interviewed about this topic. It is so inspiring to appreciate how they spread their interest, thoughts and inspirations with dedication and commitment.

Eugenia Calderon: Devoted professor

Bimala: I appreciate people around the world who defend their own cultural values. Many times when we expose to foreigners cultures you can damage you own identity. Eugenia Calderon (2008) protects her Mexican roots with wisdom and dedication. She is Spanish language professor and commitment on to impart education that promotes Mexican culture in Second Life.

Eugenia:  “Second Life empowers me because it has allowed me to develop both personally and professionally and of course it has allowed me to get money at the same time.  I mean, I have had the opportunity to meet wonderful people from around the world. I have learned a lot from them, not only on how to seeing life but also on professional issues. Many wonderful teachers have given me several ideas to improve my work. In addition, SL has given me a new way to develop professionally and to evolve as a Spanish teacher. It was a big challenge to access new technologies for teaching languages. I'm not a digital native as young now, so make use of the internet, virtual worlds and social networks has not been easy. But I'm learning and that's great.”

Subtlety Dalglish: passionate poet

Bimala: Subtlety Dalglish (2008) is provocative and maybe she ignores this inner clout, because she always incites a certain intense reaction in some of her writings. Her style reveals not only intelligence but it is also exciting eroticism. Her poetry is very intense, deeply suggestive and constantly recreates imaginary natural exotic ambience.

Subtlety: “I truly do not feel I am empowered with any special ability.  I feel and believe that I am an ordinary person who loves doing a variety of things on Second life that any number of persons can accomplish or have accomplished. I love to create poetry and short stories; I love to sing; I love to decorate houses and recreate them from their original state into something that I love even more.   I have even built a few houses of my on Second Life, but not to sell, they are for my own personal usage only. I also try my hand at building furniture every now and then. It is tedious but can be very enjoyable.  I taught myself how to terraform my land, which is very amusing.   At the present time, my sim resembles a tropical island.  And yes, I can draw/sketch, but have not done so in many years. So i suppose it is safe to say, that Second Life has empowered me in many areas of my existence therein.

La Freese: noob Guru, music promoter and eternal friend

Bimala: Through my eyes she is live music warrior. This woman is always  dancing in her club. La Freese’s venue holding its own in fierce competition in the world of entertainment in SL with bravery and audacity.  She has the capability to have patience and tolerate any noob without losing her cool. 

La Freese: I am inspired by all the wonderful creative people do in sl. I mentor singers, djs   and  others to   do what they wish to do in SL. I also enjoy helping all newbies, because if you enter to SL knowing you are appreciated, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with. But overall music is my passion. I darling all  types of music  as music is talks to the heart or it parleys to my heart,  with   stories of my life good and bad  and  future wishes. It lifts the mood and spirit. I am known  for  full theme  decorated   shows that  not only  try to put you   in the mood for the music  but    adds  to   the visual  senses.  

Sagia Monroe: biosphere of mode

Bimala: Sagia (2008) is behind the scenes of good show events with impressive clothes designers, stunning models and professional editors. She reflexively surrounds herself with elegance and luxury.

Sagia: “Second Life empowers me to bring joy and fun to others who have come to Second Life to get away from the stresses of real life.  This is done by my tribute shows in my Swinging with Sagia Group and Show Style Entertainment.

In my heart I care much for people and in Second Life I am also able to give others opportunities in which they cannot get in real life.  For instance, I am a fashion show director and co-owner of a modeling agency.  So many love this opportunity so I teach them how to model and they rock the runway in elegance and style.   Reputation is very important, so Second Life empowers me to try and elevate its culture.”

Nino de Amore: Capone vocalist

Bimala: The lights dim, the music begins to play and I fly to the moon with Nino de Amore (2010). This man owns an Italian swing. I'm thoroughly impressed with what he does in every performance. He seduces women by building charisma. His voice pays tribute to the seductive Italian singer and his chorus will absolutely melt your heart.

Nino: “I am the same person in both worlds. I sing any kind of good Jazz, Big Band tunes, Blues, Bocelli, DMartin and Sinatra. “I drank music from the bottle”. Music is expressively attractive to me and I can't pretend I'm someone else here”, confesses Nino with his raspy sexy voice.

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