Second Life and Web 2.0
What the hell is Web 2.0 anyway??
I can more easily define what Second Life is because it is a tangible platform with certain definitive attributes while web 2.0 is a memetic discourse that takes different forms depending on who you are speaking with.
I just read a great account of how Web 2.0 and Second Life fit in our world together (or separately depending on who you ask) by Tateru Nino. I agree with most of it. Here are some of my highlights although I urge you to read the whole thing.
- In reference to creation, "That … spark leaks through the cracks and crevices of all our worlds, a relentlessly postmodern agglutination of the conscious and the subconscious; the life and the times.
- Working in space
- When you’re in Second Life, you’re in the world. This world
- …it takes something like Second Life to lift you out of your chair and give you that crucial juxtaposition that makes you more than just a few words on a page.
The last point is amazing!
The idea that Second Life is more of an active medium than the Internet at large is truly profound.
People are still getting used to the fact that the interactive space is lifting people from their TV sofas while Tateru is one step ahead talking about how Second Life is bringing people out of the lurker mode of the 2d web.
Great Stuff!
Tags: Tateru Nino, Joseph Jaffe, Lurker Mode, Web 2.0, Second Life, Life after the 30 second spot, Active Media, Meme
Nov 15, 2006
Very kind
While being mostly agreed with is nice, I’m interested in the bits where your opinion differs. I’m as prone to error and failures of reasoning as any, of course.
Nov 15, 2006
Tateru
Just like me, you took a barrage of compliment and found the one needle in the haystack, I love it!
I do not disagree fully with anything you said but, there were a few points that rubbed me the slightly the wrong way, for example you write:
“They remix, fold, spindle and mutilate your content and turn it into something they like better. Or, they make something entirely new and mix it in.”
Perhaps you did not intend it as such but the connotations here seem almost negative “i.e. mutilate”. Being a huge fan of the mash-up style conversation I did not love this line although, perhaps I am focusing to much on the subtleties of language.
Also, I do feel there are elements of collaboration and co creation that get users to be an active part of media outside of Second Life (i.e. Podcasting) but i see your point that users are not required to be active in podcasting.
The bottom line is I never fully agree with anyone as, that would be too easy and it would not be fodder for good conversation. I have read a lot about web 2.0 and second life in my day and your ideas rank way at the top.
Thanks!
Nov 15, 2006
“Fold, spindle or mutilate” was a common phrase when I was growing up, that grew a little larger than life. So mutilate isn’t necessarily quite what I meant, however I guess mutilation is in the eye of the beholder now that we’re on the topic.
The (now legendary) Hot Coffee mod for example, has very different subjective assessments depending on whether you are a gamer, the creator, Rockstar games, Take Two publishing, or Jack Thompson.
I’m sure at least one of those would use the term ‘mutilate’.
Likewise I’ve seen fans of a particular anime series gasp in horror at the remix of it’s material into an anime music video that changes the tone or theme.
But really, the term mutilate’s used in a very soft way, mostly as a part of the canned phrase. One person’s meat is another person’s vile misuse.
Nov 16, 2006
Tateru
Not being a gamer, I was not familiar with this but, thanks for the lesson
Now I see your point. I guess this was an exersice in semantics anyhow as I knew what you were saying.
I also like this saying,
“One person’s meat is another person’s vile misuse.”
Thanks for all the new language!
Adam
Nov 16, 2006
I’m happy to oblige
Of course, even if all of these many parts dovetail together into a singular, complete and beautiful whole….that doesn’t actually mean they will. Good, working ideas just don’t always work out.