Gee, where to begin? I said in my last post that I would talk about what to do in Second Life. The problem is, there’s so much to do, I’m not sure where to start to explain it.

I will begin by introducing the elephant in the room. Human nature being what it is, anytime an environment exists that is user-created and [for the most part] user-controlled, there is going to be some morally questionable behavior involved. SL has its share of nude beaches, strip clubs, bizarre people and weird places … if you can imagine it, it’s probably there.

When I talk to classes about this aspect of SL (b/c someone always brings it up in Q&A), I explain it this way: Some colleges (like my alma mater, Stephen F. Austin, for instance) have the reputation of being “party schools.” I don’t doubt it one bit; there was plenty of partying going on at SFA (not by yours truly, of course!). 🙂

However, you choose whether you’re going to spend your time at the frat house or the library. SFA, like SL, has a lot to offer in many positive ways, but the trouble-makers seem to garner the most attention.

There are some really amazing things inworld concerning distance learning, theraputic alternatives for people with autism and other disorders, digital design & programming, and sociological research, to name just a few. It makes me frustrated when people hear that you can make your avatar have sex, and they assume that SL is just some sordid playground for weirdos.

So, I thought I’d share a little about some of the things I enjoy doing inworld. I already mentioned about building and designing; that’s a lot of fun. I also enjoy a couple of role-playing (“rp”) environments in SL.

In one case, I pretend to be a medic in the old west town of Deadwood. It can be quite exciting at times, what with gunfights in the street and childbirth sans epidural! lol

The other rp venue that I enjoy is a fantasy/medieval realm with knights, elves, mages, faeries and other creatures. It is a facinating world of magic and adventure. I can shoot a bow, wield a sword and fly around with scripted wings that actually flap.

There is something cathartic about delving into a character and creating it, acting it out and watching it evolve over time. It’s very much like writing a story, only you get to observe the story as you write. The story, however, remains your own to devise.