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The beauty of Second
Life may not be understood by people who are not immersed in the culture and
get to know others in this virtual community. It is a combination of
personalities, cultures and experiences that only the people who spend time in
Second Life understand. To some it is just a game. To many others it is a
journey of self discovery. Second Life helps people have a voice, go beyond
physical limitations and disabilities, share their skills, talents and even
make profound connections with people they would have never met in their city,
state or even country. Having the ability to communicate with people from all over the world has fascinated me from the very beginning and I am still
amazed by the people I meet today.
I don’t consider myself an expert in Second
Life. I am an elder and with that institutes wisdom. I still bump into walls
and struggle hanging pictures on the wall but I do understand the community and
how it works. My observation of people and their actions has inspired the
majority of my writing. I wonder if my experiences would make a best seller one
day.
We each have a story
to tell as we branch off into our own interests and journeys. For me
Second Life has been a part of my life for nearly a decade. It grew from an
idea I had sharing my experiences as a newbie with my circle of friends in The
SIMS Online. I never thought that documenting what was happening around
me would go viral and turn into one of the top news sources in Second Life.
The SL Enquirer is a
true testament to just how special this virtual world is that I would dedicate
years of my life to provide a platform for not only my writers but a bridge of
communication between the residents who share the many things that happen here.
The positive growth in my personal life has been doing what I love and earning
a Bachelor’s degree in Communication & Technology in the process. I have
Second Life to thank for inspiring and helping me achieving that goal.
My journey has
not been easy but my achievements have been worth working hard for. I
understand the power of media and the role it plays in the lives of
others. At times the pressure of it can be stressful and overwhelming
being pulled in different directions and being spread thin. Pleasing people
while upsetting others is a hurdle I must get passed often. Sometimes I feel
like I am holding a scale and struggling to keep it balanced.
I had to accept
I cannot please everyone and at times I would be faced with difficult people
and situations. In order to survive the demands of my position I had
to trust and surround myself with my closest friends for protection and
guidance.
All media
sources in Second Life (Not just SLE) play a very important role in the
community. Being a leader takes strength and courage. I respect other sources
in SL that do what I do. I am sure they can relate to the struggles I
face. We are the record keepers documenting SL history and should be
respected for how significant our job really is. I’ve been told I was
insignificant before, even a useless individual. Those things can be hurtful to
anyone but I know what I do is not useless or insignificant.
Virtual world media in
all genres (blogs, in- world magazines, Machinima and radio) provide a window for the real world where anyone with access to the internet can read about us,
listen to or watch pieces of our culture. Fans of our work get to
know more about the people that make up Second Life. That is why it is
important to remember there is a human being behind ever avatar and our actions
will define who we are as individuals.
None of us are perfect but if we are
capable of managing in a virtual world despite the drama and issues we are
presented with, we are competent to make choices that do not disrupt other
people’s virtual experience.
I speak for us
all when I say WE are all connected like pieces to a puzzle. No
matter what we contribute to the community our individual actions create a ripple
on the grid that can affect others in a positive or negative way. Those
emotions may include excitement, happiness, love, lust sadness, angry,
confusion and betrayal. Each of these emotions can linger with us even after we
log out and into our real world. Sometimes lines get blurred leaving us to deal
with new type of emotions not yet fully understood by the psych
experts. In Second Life we all live inside our own heads and meet
others from the inside out; most of the time through text communication.
Sometimes things
get misinterpreted or lost in translation when facial expressions, hand
gestures and voice tones are absent. Yet, we have adapted, erased the global
lines and barriers that keep us all apart and we have grown as a virtual
culture.
Together we will continue to exist as long as we all strive
for one common goal; survival as a community and not as insolents who cannot
handle our own freedom of expression.
As we approach Spring, the season of renewal, let's bring with us a brighter perspective on the world, strive for personal improvements and celebrate life.
-Lanai Jarrico
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