For each of my audiences what I had to change was the tone. Writing to my parents took on a different direction and tone than did writing to a friend of mine where I could be more casual and even use some slang. In writing to a professor I was much more formal and it was almost as if I was writing a recommendation for what we could do instead of telling him what we should do. So specifically it is the tone that the writer takes with regards to each audience that changes. 

Dear Mom and Dad,

There is a world, much like our own that exists in a realm without limitations. Anything is possible at any given time. I own a Mercedes SL-500, wear custom tailored Armani suits and roll only with the elite entourage. No this isn’t the University of Richmond I am referring to, but it would be amazing if it were so. This world unfortunately is not real. In fact it’s called Second Life. It literally allows you to create a virtual better version of yourself. The main thing that I noticed in it, was that anything is possible I literally saw a man fly and then drop a car out of thin air and speed away. I was amazed to learn that I could alter every aspect of my physical self. Anything can be adapted to fir your mood at the time, your face, body style, any sort of physical attribute even hair can be altered. Hair is extremely important as it is a defining characteristic of your avatar. Most new players nicknamed “noobs” have a very basic hairstyle and can be mocked mercilessly for it. I would know first hand as it has happened to me several times and I have only been online for a few days. Currently my hairstyle is long and stylish much like Robert Downey Junior in Iron Man. In fact that is exactly who I modeled myself after. I cannot wait to explore this fascinating new world in more depth and see what else there is to this new Second Life that I have created. 

Dear Brandon,

Living a "Second Life" in game form is often seen as being given a chance at a "Second Life" in reality, by those who participate. But it is a game though and thus a fantasy.  It is fun to pretend that you are one such as Iron Man, given how very rich and cool he is. However I have found that turning your imagination into real life isalmost always better. In reality your limitations are only restricted by you own efforts and dreams.  I like the essence of your "New World", but prehaps also add what your future may hold such as being an Iron Man type Lawyer that takes on all the ills of the world but allows you to profit wildly, so you can also own as much material wealth as you desire!

Love, Mom

To a Friend

 Hey Peter have you ever heard of Second Life? Second Life is an  incredible place. It is nothing like I have ever experienced before in my life. What fascinates me is the connection that all the residents have to one another and how they interact on a seemingly constant basis. I am also intrigued by the fact that residents can do anything at any time for almost any reason. On my first day there I was able to buy a designer suit as well as drive a luxury car. I was most impressed by the fact that as a resident you can do anything, including flying to anywhere in the world. There was even a model of the University with academic buildings, called Richmond Island. My first observation was that anything is possible. something that still sticks with me is the appearance of everyone. There are people who are 8 feet tall with green hair and then there are some who look like supermodels, it’s incredible, I recommend that you start an account, it’s pretty sweet.

Brandon,

I played Second Life a few years ago when some friends of mine got into it. It was pretty cool but I didn't stick with it. I didn't like all the random people coming up to me and doing weird things but other than that it was cool.  

To a Professor

 Dear Professor Andrews,

  I have an educational tool that I think you would find very useful for instructing our class. It's a virtual world called "Second Life" where "residents" can design what they look like and interact with other residents. I feel that if we integrated this into our CORE class it would provide a way to have class related discussions or visit places such as Greece and listen to a virtual Socrates be didactic in front of a crowd. That would be incredible to experience although it would be real, it would be real enough for our purposes. It would provide a means of conducting class even if class could not be held physically, we could all meet in SL. SL would also give us discussion topics on topics such as morality and we could possibly even tie them into what we are reading at the time as a supplement.

 Brandon,

 I agree that this could be a useful learning tool for our class it would be interesting to see how it could possibly be integrated with our class.

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