What is the appeal of ‘acting out’ in such a forum? Is it something different from ordinary life or a projection of it?
I think that ‘acting out’ in a forum appeals to some people because they can do whatever they choose, talk to strangers and do things they may not usually do in real life. I imagine some people like the idea of Second Life because it’s an imaginative ‘game’, or even as the name suggests, they can create their own second life to live in a different way to their real life.
I think it can also be proposed that some people can use their avatars as the person they want to be in real life, but don’t have the confidence or skills in reality.
In a way, Second Life is a projection of ordinary life as you meet people, talk, visit different places, host events, have business’ and even their own currency; the ‘Linden Dollar’. It could be described as a very creative, imaginary version of life, which residents can altar according to their wishes.
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Do you agree then that Second Life could be described mostly as 'wishful thinking'?
ReplyDeleteAs Second Life can be described as a projection of rela life, I think in a way it can be seen as wishful thinking, because many users will create avatars to express sides of their personality that they feel they can't in RL.
ReplyDeleteThey may wish to do this because they want to be able to be like their online persona in reality, which could be described as wishful thinking.
Why can't they just play a computer game like Sims then to play real life, do they really need to go to the extreme?
ReplyDeleteI don't think Second Life is that different to Sims really. I certainly don't think it's an 'extreme' version. I think it depends how comfotable you are making friends. Also - if you wish to maintain long distance friendships or relationships I think it's a good way of simulating face to face conversation. I was in a relationship when I was 15 with a guy from America. I'd have loved to have been able to 'go for coffee' etc with him online. It depends how much your imagination works and how satisfied you are with real life.
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