RSS SL

1. The Proteus Effect in SL

   It was reading Tolkien as a child, becoming mesmerized and immersed in the beautiful way he described other worlds, especially worlds with mountains, that became a main impetus for my creating regions with heights for others early on 2nd Life.

2. What is peeving you now, while logged into Second Life

   Ya, for poses or a freaking shape!!\o/

3. What is peeving you now, while logged into Second Life

   Probably explains why everyone I meet on here behaves like they’re three drinks past their limit.

4. The Proteus Effect in SL

   Interesting theory as to why games might be more addictive. Not that one example proves anything, but I had a stepdaughter who became addicted to books an we had to make her do other things. She was lost in them and avoiding some painful facts in her life.

5. The Proteus Effect in SL

   When I was a kid there was a period of my life where I was addicted to reading. I'd read as much as possible, and when I couldn't I’d fantasize about the worlds, what was going to happen next or what would happen if x was different, or if I was the main character what would I do, etc. I'd dream about them, too. My mind was totally occupied by books and I definitely shunned reality. When my circumstances improved I came to enjoy other things and eventually stopped reading altogether. I think it's possible to have unhealthy levels of escapism with other forms of entertainment, but like you said it's harder. Games benefit from the task and reward dopamine loop, and a lot of people feel accomplished while playing them. In MMOs and second life I've met people who remind me of the kid addicted to books, hopelessly in love with their virtual playgrounds and completely disinterested in reality. I think maybe that's the line we're searching for, not enjoying a bit of escapism but preferring it to reality on a regular basis, and I think that mindset turns into what you mentioned before, the desire to convince yourself and others that it is equal, or a viable alternative or even BETTER, that sets off alarm bells. I think you're right to be concerned altho I can see how it feels offensive to those who take comfort in this place. Another important difference is that the characters in the books aren't telling you that the book is better than reality and that it's totally okay to stay there forever… not trying to dismiss the real human connections that occur online, but just that when you take a bunch of escapists and put them in a virtual world together it's not really surprising that they don't want to leave 😂 idk where I'm going with this but I think it's an interesting subject, maybe I'm projecting a bit of my own experiences onto others and they're not as deeply invested as I think