Over the past few days a product announcement and some interesting research have come together for me in illustrating some of the downsides of heavy regular use of virtual environments. I'm talking specifically about the physical impacts here: we've covered the psychological positives and negatives repeatedly (e.g. here and here). In regard to the psychological side, I've … [Read more...] about The physical health impacts of virtual environments
health
Suicide prevention, stories and Second Life
Suicide remains one of the issues that pretty much everyone feels queasy discussing. For the survivors of suicide, there's not choice to discuss it and it's one of two reasons a presence in Second Life has been created. Located in Haetae, the purpose is is expression and support. There are two floors, Life and Death. Death is an art exhibition depicting the feelings of those … [Read more...] about Suicide prevention, stories and Second Life
Interview – DeeAnna Nagel and Kate Anthony, Online Therapy Institute
DeeAnna Nagel and Kate Anthony are psychotherapists and founders of the Online Therapy Institute. The pair have only recently expanded their work to Second Life, but they have extensive experience in working with people therapeutically online. The pair now have a presence on Jokaydia in Second Life. I caught up with them to talk online counselling / therapy. Lowell: Can you … [Read more...] about Interview – DeeAnna Nagel and Kate Anthony, Online Therapy Institute
While you’re dancing in the flames
The key to managing crises, is to keep an eye on the long-term, while you're dancing in the flames You may have heard of TED talks: some of the world's best thinkers (and doers) speak on some consciousness expanding topics. At the 2009 TED Conference, Juan Enriquez made a fascinating presentation on how the convergence of cell engineering, tissue engineering and robots would … [Read more...] about While you’re dancing in the flames
Therapy and the metaverse
Mark Kizelshteyn (SL: Chronos Laval) is a virtual world researcher and one of two principals at virtual worlds developer Popcha!. As part of his recent university studies he completed a paper called Therapy and The Metaverse: Second Life and The Changing Conditions of Therapy For Convalescent and Chronically Ill Users, which will be published in Washington University's … [Read more...] about Therapy and the metaverse