People are using the same cognitive tools in their social interactions within virtual environments as they would in the physical world. A recent study has confirmed this happens even though our avatars do not necessarily represent a clear picture of the people behind those avatars, with regards to gender, race, and all those other things that we have biases against. The … [Read more...] about Taking our biases with us into virtual environments.
WA Police “Step Forward” into Second Life: detractors in hot pursuit.
The WA Police “Step Forward” Virtual Recruiting Pavilion was launched this week in Second Life. The plan is for the pavilion to be run during a three month trial period, after which this method of recruiting will be reviewed. "Trudi Karu" and "Dreibergs Lannock" are the avatar names of the recruiting police who will be attending the pavilion at various times over the weeks to … [Read more...] about WA Police “Step Forward” into Second Life: detractors in hot pursuit.
Second Life is my wheelchair.
There's all sorts of talk about accessibility, particularly around making computers, the Internet, and online services like Second Life accessible to those who are differently abled. From the chaps in Japan, with their innovative solutions that allow folks with very minimal physical capabilities to use Second Life, to the Imprudence team and Jacek Antonelli - just one of a … [Read more...] about Second Life is my wheelchair.
A match made in Second Life.
Public services. Education. What do these two things have in common? Typically, people outside those fields would consider them to be necessary but uninteresting. Many people have experienced the rough ends of these services. You'd think it would be difficult to create a useful and engaging experience in a virtual environment that combined the two fields. In this case, you'd … [Read more...] about A match made in Second Life.
ZOMG … Terry Pratchett!
Terry Pratchett. In Second Life. No, your eyes do not deceive you. On the 9th of October, 2008, at 8pm (BST), Pratchett will appear in-world on "Nation" island to take part in a Q&A with fans from across the globe, as a part of a month-long Second Life promotion of this new children's novel by UK Publisher, Random House. Pratchett's latest work, Nation, is set to be … [Read more...] about ZOMG … Terry Pratchett!