Second Life isn’t a Life.

By Winnie Wong Sing Yih (49427)

Second Life is an interactive virtual world reachable through internet where people spend a great deal of time and money. Participants in these increasingly realistic life and engage in activities ranging from simple conversations, financial transactions, to stimulate sex, violence, and rape, or even marriage and divorce (Furber, 2009).

Apparently, it is a video game. I mean, you wouldn’t say it is your career, or hobby even you are earning or spending so much money and times on it. This virtual system remains virtual eventually. The most interesting part is about the behavior of people who are on Second Life, no matter consciously or not consciously willing to try and get into it for some reason. That’s the beauty of today worlds, only the choice you could not expect instead of no choice.

One of the highlight about Second Life is free role play. In terms of both choice and charge. Avatars may take any form users choose such as human, animal, vegetable, mineral, or even a combination of them. Of course, residents may choose to resemble themselves as they are in real life if they want to. I believe that some images and characteristics of avatars will be the projection of user’s desire. For instant, a fat girl wanted to get a fit body in few minutes, she goes for second life. If a man wants to be a girl in few minutes, he does not have to buy a dress but goes for Second Life. The instant projection can’t actually satisfy the urge but might trigger more questions about real life identity. In real life, identity like father, husband, leader, and daughter is an obligation, in Second Life, brand new identity is your creation without duty but interest or even curiosity which means, and it could be obscene in certain condition. 

Moreover, many users try to entertain themselves by getting a “second life” under real life pressure and problems. Actually, it is pretty sarcastic when a person could not manage their real life issue but having a great second life in virtual. As our lives are full with unpredictable and uncontrollable condition, Second Life would be too manual to compare with. Users can build their own castle; buy their own fancy car with a finger click which is never possible in real world without any hard work. In fact, we cannot just selectively skip or ignore the steps of succeed because it is a bad practice of humanity. Well, if users try to compare Second Life with real life, it is definitely not a solution of but an excuse.

Here is the real deal, would you like to trade off or give up everything for this virtual life? There are so many things that genuinely beautiful and meaningful in our lives. Our life which cannot be pause and reply is what Second life could not present with. A successful and charming avatar character cannot define who you are to your beloved family, friends and significant others. It cannot make a difference, contribution and development for your community, country and world. So, when you spend your creativity and intelligence to build up this virtual avatar, ask yourself just one more time: Is this Second Life worth to risk it all?

Reference

Furber, M. (2009). Ethics & virtual world: Second life as a case study. Tabah Analytic Brief, 9, 1-33.