You’ve got to love tabloid media. Hot on the heels of Tuesday’s radio feature on Second Life, Channel 7’s Sunrise program has run a story called “Second Life Controversy: Is the online community ruining our reality?”.
No, you haven’t missed anything, this is the same ‘controversy’ that got so much media attention during 2006. There’s no new issue that’s led to this media coverage – it’s just the sad reality that someone on the Sunrise show was listening to the radio on Tuesday and decided they’d better do a story.
Now before you think I’m sounding too cynical, I do have to give credit to Sunrise for attempting some balance. Psychologist Les Posen is given some good airtime to give an overview of some of the great work going on in Second Life. Rhett Woods from Linden Lab doesn’t get much chance to say anything really aside from emphasising the creative basis of SL. Anyway, have a look for yourself:
Given this same mainstream media focus has been going on for over five years now, you have to wonder when things will move to a more nuanced perspective?
Over to you: would love to hear your thoughts.
this is not so negative. the message is Second Life use is ok if it’s balanced, which is true. as in all things.
Good, thoughtful post Lowell. Although no longer active in SL, I am glad to see you keeping this all in perspective.
“Sherman, set the Wayback Machine for… oh, 2006.”
I knew about time zones, but had no idea that Australia was 6 years behind CST. 🙂
Typical Australia TV morning show. If they’re going to focus on SL now, why not highlight ABC Island, which has just had a facelift?