The Dawning of the Age

When I explained to Werther what little I knew about Second Life, he told me that what he likes about me is that I broaden his horizons. I said, "it's not deliberate..." Well, anyhow, what does a fifty year old guy know about tech society these days? I thought I'd look into Second Life — not because there isn't enough in 'First Life', not by a long shot — but because some interesting things seem to be happening there. For one, the Yearly Kos convention in Chicago next week is having a simulcast in Second Life, which I will attend. For another, quite a number of educational institutions are establishing significant presences in SL, as are several foreign governments in setting up Embassies, and even the UN has an office. And there are real/virtual libraries.

What got me thinking was something Sam Smith said a while back, to the effect that when old-fashioned political organizers used to organize they'd do two things: they'd make political plans and figure out how to undertake them, and they'd have fun. It's the latter that, in terms of community, seems to be lacking somewhat on the everyday internet.