There are so many different types of music and entertainment in Second Life. I think this is very beneficial in order to expand audience interest and reach fans or new listeners via the Internet. There are obviously many benefits to having this type of entertainment online. Fans are able to enjoy concerts from the comfort of their own home and performers are able to be both live and online at the same time. RL artists are able to expand their business and talents into SL and play in different venues for diverse audiences. In their presentation, Kelsey and John highlighted the changes that have occurred in the music industry such as online file sharing and performances in virtual communities. I agreed with the comment made by a classmate that it allows new artists to gain exposure and older artists to expand their audience. Artists fate are now not determined by a record company because they can share their music without being signed by a label. This also benefits the fans, since as Ebare stated, audiences can have few choices with music - so this gives them more exposure to a larger variety of music and allows them to chose from a variety of different artists. Overall I believe that the online distribution is positive although it appears to benefit fans the most, followed by artists and then the actual music companies.
I have visited a few music locations in Second Life. One was a bubblegum music place where you could do different dances (picture on the side). I also went to some music stores but did not want to spend the money to buy the music. I went to what appeared to be a German bar where they played poka-ish music – I also got stuck in the rafters, as is pictured above! I was able to listen to music and dance, although no one else was there. This experience is relatable to issues discussed in class, since in real life I would likely never go into a bar like this, especially since the cards i received was in a different language and also this doesn’t seem like the type of music i would choose to listen to. I was also able to observe the different ways music was advertised – through sales, posters, clubs, concerts etc. There are many different types of music available on Second Life in very welcoming communities. That’s one thing I noticed in my experiences, apart from the friendly, generic welcome message, people in the Bubblegum music place were very friendly and tried to start conversations with me. Obviously, the growing trend of online music has penetrated Second Life. Music itself has an ability to unite people to despite differences, and different types of music are able to do just that online and increase its borders even further. It is also a helpful way to purchase music, since you don’t have to leave your house to purchase a song or cd – this could be very helpful to certain people. I would be very interested in experiencing a concert in second life to interact with fans and see what it would be like to listen to a concert in virtual world. That is hopefully another element of the VW music scene I will experience. Overall, my experiences in various music stores highlighted arguments that were brought up in lecture and in the seminar presentation about the online distribution of music, the variety of music, the easy purchasing methods of music, and the online marketing of music.
Agape
A Picture Taken Of Me During My Presentation
Monday, February 25, 2008
Theory & Identity
In class we discussed the idea that identities aren’t always fixed or determined by biological characteristics. It is interesting to think about identity when you can actually create one from scratch (although, as I mentioned previously, you do start with something...such as the girl next door and immediately slot yourself into certain characteristics). It is also interesting to consider Goffman’s Dramaturgical Approach, and the idea of front stage and back stage. In Second Life there is definitely a certain amount of performance involved and the role you want to play will be translated into the physical identity you create for yourself. It is worth considering if our virtual identities reflect our real self, or how much of our real self they reflect. Although we are performing, we are also aware that it is not “really” us and therefore can engage in activity we would not normally engage in. The idea of performing gender is also fascinating. My avatar is very feminine with slight features and a flowing purple dress. The reason I know this is feminine is because I have learned it through my socialization. These ideologies are therefore evident in Second Life since people are applying beliefs from first life into second. It’s unsurprising that there are so many similarities between the two worlds. What is perhaps most different is that everyone is thin and to the most part (from what I’ve experienced) attractive. However, I am yet to discover subcultures such as furries...Overall, there is a lot of evident intention when creating an avatar whether conscious or subconscious, and these ideas are from pre-conceived notions of gender, appearance, race etc.
Presentations
I have been very impressed by the progression in the presentations. I also found it helpful to talk about tips, suggestions, downsides and benefits of SL presentations in class. I especially liked the presentation today. I thought it was very effective, and really enjoyed the 2 field trips to Obama’s HQ and the Darfur exhibit. It is evident that people are starting to get used to SL since last presentation it took a long time for people to TP and for people to get organized. I found today’s presentation very efficient and found the class participation flowed smoothly. I will be interested to see how the presentations continue to improve, especially with the additions of things such as voice presentations. I was talking to a member of the class today about how different this class is than anything I’ve ever taken in University. I’m really learning a lot about virtual world and had no idea about the depth and vastness of it all. I’m sure that the popularity of things such as SL will only increase as technology advances and more people become participants so I feel privileged to be aware of some of these “cutting edge” technologies. I think I would have been a bit intimidated to join Second Life on my own and I had never heard of it before this class. Yet, it is clear that what was once an underground world is now emerging and spreading to the surface.
Culture Industry Continued
Another way SL can be situated within the culture industry debate is that people have trouble distinguishing what is “real” life and the lines are blurred between what is real and what is created by culture. As well, the participants in second life can be seen as targets of advertising and consumerism. However, this is highly debatable since participants are given options in what to look like and whether or not they want to buy things. So if an individual does what to go against the norms of appearance and entertainment they are able to do so. However, it is clear that a lot of the activities in SL involve shopping for items for your avatar or building things for your avatar. As well, although it is possible to enjoy activities for free – such as the cruise ship we explored – most things do cost money and you do have to become a consumer to access certain forms of entertainment.
Collision of cultures.
Going along with Flickr pictures, I really like taking pictures in second life. This isn't very surprising since in real life I really enjoy scrapbooking and taking pictures. As well, the picture possibilities in second life seem virtually (pun intended) endless. I really like the picture I took of me (Agape) infront of the picture of the child in the Darfur exhibit. I really like how it is a RL person face to face with a virtual person. A child and an "adult", and both are the same size and both are from very very different worlds. In general I find interesting the idea of worlds colliding in Second Life. People from all over the world in this world. Different cultures, genders, ethniticities and ages. All coming with different worldviews, relgions, beliefs and opinions that can be expressed through their appearance or through buildings, or through different forms of activism. Ofcourse there are challenges presented here as well. As someone mentioned in class today, it can be hard to establish laws and methods of conduct since people are coming from different legal systems and may have varying views of right and wrong. Overall, however, I just find this a really unique community of individuals who are using Second Life to express themselves and their different interests and passions.
Flippin through Flickr
There are many second life pictures on flickr. Some of the pictures are similar to the ones shown in lecture where you can see how much an avatar looks like the real life person. Other pictures show businesses, people, architecture, and advertisements. There is also pictures of people in real life at SL conventions or meeting others they know from second life. I absolutely love second life pictures.
These pictures of avatars who look very similar to their creators can be situated within the debate about Virtual Worlds and Cultural industries because these pictures are reproducing images from real life. Since the term culture industry implies that popular culture standardizes goods and ideals, it is easy to see how these pictures are promoting and reinforcing particular ideals. As well, even on second life, avatars express themselves through consumption. I was just in a clothing store called Chalet Bazaar and they were having a model search, which I found soo interesting! Especially since people have complete control over what their avatars look like...so really, everyone could be a model..Too fat? Edit Appearance. Nose too big? Cut it down! How can there be model searches when everyone has the potential to have the ideal look. However! It is clear that those with more money, more often than not, have better looking avatars because they have the expensive clothes, hairstyles and even skins! Also, I found that a lot of these pictures had avatars who were scantily clad, if wearing clothes at all. This could be explained for numerous reasons –people wanting to show off their avatars body, being more comfortable in SL since it’s not really “you”, to live out fantasies or ideals etc.
What was also interesting about these pictures was the photos of avatars in big office buildings or mansions. People are able to create the life they may want in RL. This also ties into the idea of true and false needs. False needs are needs that are created and maintained through capitalism. These are needs such as appearance and entertainment. SL reflects ideas of success that are portrayed in RL. In order to become successful in SL you must obtain an attractive appearance (debatable) and acquire things such as property. Second Life itself is just very visually based. You are able to talk to people, but a lot is lost from lack of body language, eye contact ect. This emphasis on the visual reinforces dominant worldviews such as the importance of appearance and aesthetically pleasing housing, buildings, work environments etc.
Also while searching flickr, I saw pictures of SL weddings! I am still amazed at all that happens in this virtual world. Someone could be married on virtual world to one man and to a different man in RL. Even ideas of marriage and having kids are continued into Second Life. I’m not going to say marriage is a false need it’s just interesting how every detail of real life has poured into the second life.
Absolutely, however, Second life can be placed within the culture industry debate. It undeniably reinforces dominant ideologies and emphasizes false needs and uses these false needs to further a capitalist economy.
These pictures of avatars who look very similar to their creators can be situated within the debate about Virtual Worlds and Cultural industries because these pictures are reproducing images from real life. Since the term culture industry implies that popular culture standardizes goods and ideals, it is easy to see how these pictures are promoting and reinforcing particular ideals. As well, even on second life, avatars express themselves through consumption. I was just in a clothing store called Chalet Bazaar and they were having a model search, which I found soo interesting! Especially since people have complete control over what their avatars look like...so really, everyone could be a model..Too fat? Edit Appearance. Nose too big? Cut it down! How can there be model searches when everyone has the potential to have the ideal look. However! It is clear that those with more money, more often than not, have better looking avatars because they have the expensive clothes, hairstyles and even skins! Also, I found that a lot of these pictures had avatars who were scantily clad, if wearing clothes at all. This could be explained for numerous reasons –people wanting to show off their avatars body, being more comfortable in SL since it’s not really “you”, to live out fantasies or ideals etc.
What was also interesting about these pictures was the photos of avatars in big office buildings or mansions. People are able to create the life they may want in RL. This also ties into the idea of true and false needs. False needs are needs that are created and maintained through capitalism. These are needs such as appearance and entertainment. SL reflects ideas of success that are portrayed in RL. In order to become successful in SL you must obtain an attractive appearance (debatable) and acquire things such as property. Second Life itself is just very visually based. You are able to talk to people, but a lot is lost from lack of body language, eye contact ect. This emphasis on the visual reinforces dominant worldviews such as the importance of appearance and aesthetically pleasing housing, buildings, work environments etc.
Also while searching flickr, I saw pictures of SL weddings! I am still amazed at all that happens in this virtual world. Someone could be married on virtual world to one man and to a different man in RL. Even ideas of marriage and having kids are continued into Second Life. I’m not going to say marriage is a false need it’s just interesting how every detail of real life has poured into the second life.
Absolutely, however, Second life can be placed within the culture industry debate. It undeniably reinforces dominant ideologies and emphasizes false needs and uses these false needs to further a capitalist economy.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The process of creating my avatar!
When we could choose a prototype to start with I choose the girl next store because I identified with that character more than the clubbing girl, furry, goth girl or whatever else was offered. It is interesting how you immediately have to categorize yourself, or at least choose who you WANT to be..not necessarily who you are. From there I adjusted all the features slightly. The avatar is only somewhat like me. On paper, we would both seem similar: blonde hair, blue eyes, tall...But I don’t think we look very much alike. Although, it was important to me that she reflected me in some way. I never even considered choosing brown or red hair just because that’s not who I am. What I don’t really like about my avatar is her eyes. Her center of her eye is way too far up and I’m not sure how to fix it. Besides that, and her looking somewhat unnatural, I’m pretty satisfied. My avatar is wearing a light purple dress which is my favourite colour. I’ve also been looking for a hairstyle similar to my own. But there are definitely differences. My avatar is a lot skinner than myself. She also has a bigger chest, although nothing outrageous (since chest size can get pretty huge in second life!). She has a more muscular build, thinner limbs etc. Of course, in real life I would love to be in better shape and have ideal features, so I would definitely agree that an avatar is a way to express some of what you wish you could be and also some of what you are. I also found it interesting that in class someone brought up that there were not a lot of fat avatars. It never occurred to me to make my avatar fat. It seems like people are trying to make enhanced versions of themselves.
Culture Industries
Commentary on Culture Industries
Adorno and Horkheimer have argued that mass culture produces standarized goods which can be consumed by the “passive” population. Culture Industries can create false needs which can be met through capitalism and consumption. It’s easy to situate Second Life within the debates surrounding culture industries. The theory of culture industries suggest that culture reflects and shapes society through commodification and standardization. It is apparent that Second Life reinforces “real” life and dominant worldviews. As was discussed in class, many of out avatars look similiar – caucasion, skinny and attractive. As well, consumption is a huge part of Second Life. As avatars, we define ourselves by what we are wearing. With body language and speech somewhat limited, what we are wearing is our first impression on the rest of the Second Life society. In Second Life, I feel like I need to have nice clothing and hair, but this is a false need that has been naturalized. As well, capitalism is present in Second Life through the various businesses, and we can also recognize corporations that are present in “real” life as well. The culture has been commodified and a lifestyle can be bought. It seems that the more money you have to spend in Second Life, the better your life will be. This is because events and activities can cost money, as well as clothing and accessories. You can look like a celebrity if you want to, but you have to pay to look like that. What was also addressed in class was that we reflect ideologies that are present in our “real” life. For instance, Susie commented that she wouldn’t wear hooker boots to class in real life because that would be inappropriate. These are ideas that have carried over from one world into another. Overall, however, it is evident that these two worlds are very similar in some ways. Both societies’ seem to create and cultivate false needs while simultaneously naturalizing them. As well, the societies’ seem to be capitalist driven through standardization and commodification.
Adorno and Horkheimer have argued that mass culture produces standarized goods which can be consumed by the “passive” population. Culture Industries can create false needs which can be met through capitalism and consumption. It’s easy to situate Second Life within the debates surrounding culture industries. The theory of culture industries suggest that culture reflects and shapes society through commodification and standardization. It is apparent that Second Life reinforces “real” life and dominant worldviews. As was discussed in class, many of out avatars look similiar – caucasion, skinny and attractive. As well, consumption is a huge part of Second Life. As avatars, we define ourselves by what we are wearing. With body language and speech somewhat limited, what we are wearing is our first impression on the rest of the Second Life society. In Second Life, I feel like I need to have nice clothing and hair, but this is a false need that has been naturalized. As well, capitalism is present in Second Life through the various businesses, and we can also recognize corporations that are present in “real” life as well. The culture has been commodified and a lifestyle can be bought. It seems that the more money you have to spend in Second Life, the better your life will be. This is because events and activities can cost money, as well as clothing and accessories. You can look like a celebrity if you want to, but you have to pay to look like that. What was also addressed in class was that we reflect ideologies that are present in our “real” life. For instance, Susie commented that she wouldn’t wear hooker boots to class in real life because that would be inappropriate. These are ideas that have carried over from one world into another. Overall, however, it is evident that these two worlds are very similar in some ways. Both societies’ seem to create and cultivate false needs while simultaneously naturalizing them. As well, the societies’ seem to be capitalist driven through standardization and commodification.
Futher Exploring..Sprinkled with Frustration!
I have definitely had lots of experiences in Second Life since my last blog. I’m also starting to go on a lot more on my own time. However, I’m finding it very frustrating because my computer is crashing a lot. Even during Monday’s class Second Life crashed 3 times. Frustrating. I have not yet been able to take and post a picture of myself because every time I try it seems to crash. I think my best bet is to use the computer at the library but even then there's no guarantees that it won’t freeze up! Shopping...I bought a dress for my avatar at Fashion Fruit. It didn’t look exactly like the one on the poster but it was close enough. Since I spent a lot on the dress (about $350) I made my own shoes of the same colour with what was available. The only thing i need right now is hair. Right now I have sample hair from naughty by design but I'm not sure how to get a hairstyle and not just the colour. I’ve also adjusted my avatar’s features a lot. I’ve been searching lots of new places to see what I can find. I searched hawaii and ended up going to a studio with sets, so I took a picture of me in the set anyways! So lots of exploring but still lots of frustration...especially with not being able to get all the tasks done that I’m supposed to on time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
