The Disruptive Power of Second Life

This week blog assignment is interesting because, second life can mean several things. As a gamer, I understand this theory. I play the game of World of Warcraft. It uses the technology of 3D graphic interface, charter creation, social network by forming guilds, groups to complete quests.

How is Second Life a disruptive technology?

• Second Life (SL) is a virtual world developed by Linden Lab launched on June 23, 2003, and is accessible on the Internet. A free client program called the Viewer enables its users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars. Residents can explore, meet other residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, and create and trade virtual property and services with one another, or travel throughout the world (which residents refer to as "the grid"). Second Life, is for people aged 18 and over, while Teen Second Life is for people aged 13 to 17. Built into the software is a three-dimensional modeling tool based around simple geometric shapes that allows a resident to build virtual objects. This can be used in combination with the Linden Scripting Language which can be used to add functionality to objects. More complex three-dimensional sculpted colloquially known as "sculpties", textures for clothing or other objects, and animations and gestures can be created using external software. The Second Life Terms of Service provide that users retain copyright for any content they create, and the server and client provide simple digital rights management functions (Linden Lab 2009).

What technology or innovation did it displace?

• Second life has changed the way computer games are developed; movies have become more interacting and draw the viewer into the story world. This technology has come and will get better as we see technology advance. This technology replace animation, modeling, move set building, and camera operators. This technology has affected both movies and game development. Computer games use this technology to create virtual worlds that the player has control over. The player is presented with a full 360 degree view, other player interaction, and with each other. See MMORPG to better understand the role second life is used in gamming.

How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?

• IT is the best time for second life, I don’t see it going anywhere for least 10-15 years. Because the results from the technology, everyone like what they see and is demanding more. Developers want to make money and they will get the consumer what they want.

What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?

• The movie Avatar is a perfect example of second life. If you didn’t see the movies it was a group of scientist that were studying another culture. The scientist developed the technology that allowed them to transfer their mind into a avatar that looked and acted like the creatures that they wanted to study, The life form was untouched by all other humans except the scientist. In the movie, the film makes used a combination cinema graphics and modeling, and digital technology. The technology that was used was cutting edge; the visual effects were so real that some viewers complained that they were feeling motion sickness. It was the most grossing movie in the year. As of yesterday the announced that they are going to make two sequels. The filming will start during the summer of next year and planned to be released in 2014. For a few hour people can escape all their troubles and image that they are someplace some were else. As for games, people build friendships, groups and guilds that they meet and communicate to do projects.

Reference

Linden Lab Inc(2009) retrieved October 28, 2010 from http://work.secondlife.com/en-US/