Second life is the greatest example of modeling reality with virtual worlds. People use it to do things they are not capable of doing in real due to various reasons. They can create their own avatar and they can do whatever they want to do in second life. some people use it just for the sake of playing a game while other use it to improve certain skills or do the things which are not possible to do in real life. It's more like living in a dream where you can do anything you want to. You can visit different places of the world where you can't go in real life due to money, lack of time or different reasons.
On the corporate level, alot of big companies including IBM using virtual traning programs for emplyees where they can go and learn. they can do it over and over again in case they don't get it the first time unlike real life. furthermore, it's time flexible too.
What are the benefits of these technologies to society? Be specific.
It's helping people to imrpove their deficincies. As we discussed in class that people who are not good publis speakers, they can go to class rooms in virtual worlds where they interact with other people and talk. People can also improve different skills and prepare themselves for real life experince. You don't have to pay money, get out of the house and other things in order to do that unlike real life.
Is there a "dark side"?Make sure to include your opinion of the way these technologies might evolve in the future.
I think Virtual life or gaming is making people more isolated. They don't go out or do physical activities but spend hours gazing at the computer screen and play games. it's making them less socially active person.
Cite at least 1 (preferably more) of the assigned readings.
"So you're not going out into the real world meeting people, you're going meeting people online and in your own home, so you're perfectly relaxed. It's just a fantastic tool to use to bring people together." As described in the article "iReport: 'Naughty Auties' battle autism with virtual interaction" by nicole Saidi where she describes how virtual life is benefiting people with autism to feel relaxed and talk within a group of people.
"BM Learning Programs Get a ‘Second Life’" they say "t’s also likely to give the nascent field of training in virtual environments such as Second Life a major boost, says Mark Oehlert, an associate at consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton". IBM is using second life for training and orintation in US, china and india by creatin avatars in virtual worlds. They want to improve mentoring, interact and share ideas from different places in the world.
