UgoTrade covers some earlier thoughts I had about SL and disabilities.

Now, virtual reality plays a big role for people with disabilities, not just because in a virtual world many disabilities are not the factor they are in RL. Mitch Wagner reports, “one woman whose cancer was quite severe, for whom Second Life had become her first life.” And, on Second Life there is a community using SL to aid in the recovery of stroke victims. But, also, Wayne Porter notes that HUDS that simulate disabilities in Second Life can offer a way to educate people from a new perspective (also see Wayne’s review of the groovy and free SLtweets HUD (Heads UP Display) available at SLTweets.com).

With a little bit of luck, inspiration and support the next suave lady and gentlemen you meet on SL, gliding and twirling on the dance floor in “tails” and “bling heels,” may really be 95!

I am sure Bleys will like the feedback on SLTweets! and thanks Ugo for keeping my thoughts focused…I think the 2nd disability scripting is really interesting, by Fez Rutherford, and shifts thoughts for me. It has me so intrigued I am going to bother Bleys and probably Fez about it- if I can track him down. I listened to Sam Harrelson’s video last night about the upcoming iteration of Planet Beta. (BTW Sam Harrelson brings to the table the real brilliance behind the entire fusion- an open mind.) and it reminded me to keep my thoughts in beta.

Virtual Worlds What You See is not What You Get

Recently I was interviewed for an article by Marketing Sherpa on marketing in virtual worlds. As with any interview you send in a lot of points, but it some of it, sometimes none of it, makes the final cut, but let me rehash a point or two here.

It is very important for marketers to understand the fabric of the metaverse before they jump in and setup shop. This means they should spend significant time in avatar form, participating in real world events, exploration, and talking with other Avatars. It is preferable you try different shapes, looks and feels to see what type of reactions this will bring. One will discover that people, functioning as avatars, do not always respond to situations the same as you might expect in Real Life. Knowing this one can expect they may not react to one’s brand as might be expected in Second Life.

More importantly with the avatar form, language and communication will be different. The typical non-verbal body language is missing, although this is can be augmented with gestures or scripts. Meaningful communication can take time and real effort. What we see on-screen does not always represent what is behind the screen. Because we “see” or perceive a 3D avatar in (hopefully) very fluid motion, this does not mean that person feels or is even able to do these things in real life. Second Life is not really a game, although one can certainly game in the Second Life metaverse. There are no preset goals, predermined monsters to slay, or chests of gold to find. It is really a lush social platform. For many people it exists as an alternate reality that is very real and potent.

What we Take for Granted

Based on lengthy travels and discussions I have found many people who have debilitating diseases that make travel or functioning in real life difficult. Second Life allows them a form of theraputic escapism, but more importantly, a fulfilling outlet that allows them to socialize, travel and take part in many activities healthy people often take for granted. Just because an avatar “looks” healthy doesn’t mean the person behind the avatar is healthy. Unfortunately we don’t have statistics on this theraputic use yet, but I believe, anecdotally, there are a large number of ill or disabled individuals. Perhaps far more than we suspect.

So based on that the 2nd Disability Scripting concept really got me thinking. If it can be theraputic for some individuals who are ill could it not be used in reverse, as Fez Rutherford has done, to sensitize people to the realities of life with a disability or even the final stages of cancer? An Avatar, to a certain degree, could “simulate” or experience blindness, or a grand mal seizure- an experience I have had that is truly terrifying or something as mundane as stuttering- another battle from my youth that I spent years overcoming. Furthermore, if meshed with say Bley’s SLTweets HUD (using some automated scanning ability to record public conversation while say one was “unconscious”) one could “experience” a simulated seizure and then later go back and see how people reacted…in real life they usually do not react well- I have no idea how they might react in a virtual world. Sometimes I cannot tell if we are hyenas or human beings…

Who do I think could benefit from these HUDS or scripts?

Probably every damn one of us.

As I go out across the datasphere, and I think the Kathy Sierra case comes to mind, and people’s justified outrage- I have to wonder if society has become so interconnected, so plugged in, so wired up that we can’t step back a few paces and look at things with a more sensitive heart? We forget to walk a mile in another’s shoes.

Twittering to Humanity

Perhaps that is why twitter has been such a hit- because we aren’t allowed to go beyond the confines of 140 characters of text, and our life is reduced to very simple and very human actions. I know it was an epiphany for me- my job forces me into attack mode. Yet while we twitter, we are just simple human beings, stripped of our “post human” digital trappings, flashy graphics, hand crafted avatars, rolling text, need to defend or the ridiculous bars we have set for people- who are just that- just people.

So back to VR scripting surely everyone could benefit to some degree, but I am not so naive to believe that Second Life can replace Real life, the ones open-minded enough to try such experiments are not sympathetic but already empathetic. I often get teased over my enthusiasm for the nascent platform- in a society where we say we value creative thinking, lofty ideas, and breaking new ground, we seem to spend alot of time tearing apart people who try to embrace these qualities.

I accept that. I still like the thought that there is a place where anything or any situation can be created- although I have to wonder why we keep creating the same damn trainwrecks in a virtual world? Given a “do-over” we seem to have learned nothing. Our priorities still seem out of whack. I have been as guilty as everyone else.

I think the best uses might be with our youngsters- not yet jaded, where life is magical and much like a “game”. Perhaps more importantly teachers, doctors, nurses, and health care professionals. Maybe a politician? These people are often empathetic, but due to the nature of the job or the litigious nature of our society they are forced to become muted and less sensitive to whom they serve- people. Second Life…a second chance?

As a wired society I really think we need it…and I think we would still probably blow it- but I have hope.

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