Below, I have written a different entry regarding Second Life to various people, including a classmate in my editing group, my mom, and my leadership professor. As I wrote each entry for a different person, I kept in mind what they were interested in. For example, I talked about the affects a virtual world would have on leadership for my leadership studies professor. In addition, I referenced a tv show I watched with my mom. Each proceeding entry below becomes more formal, as the way I would address my classmates versus a professor is dramatically different.

Chelsea,

We’ve just begun college and now we are being thrown into this whole new virtual world! It is so daunting at first to travel around Second Life, as I’m sure you’ve experienced.  However, as I’ve taken more time to learn different tips and tricks, I find myself appreciating all the educational elements that Second Life has to offer. I view the most beneficial part of this virtual world to be that I am able to travel the world and view and experience various cultures.  For example, I was walking around one day when my avatar overheard a conversation between two other avatars that were from England. I find this so fascinating as in Second Life, there is no currency barrier as Second Life has created its own currency. In addition if either of us decided to start learning an additional language, we could start talking to other avatars in that new language. This would not only help us build our language skills, and acquire new vocabulary, but we would be able to explore the culture of that particular language. How do you feel about this new technology? Are you enjoying traveling?

See you later,

Sarah 

Hey Sarah,

I'm glad you also like the fact that we're able to travel the world while experiencing  other cultures because that was also my favorite part. I can't believe we can transport to these places in a matter of minutes; its fascinating. Have you tried talking to anyone yet? I have only encountered conversations in different languages so far. I'm glad you sound like your enjoying Second Life! My travels are going well, I'll tell you more about them in class. See you tomorrow!

From,

Chelsea

Response September 29, 2009: Unfortunately Chelsea I have not gotten the opportunity to talk to any other avatars in Second Life. When I went on my scavenger hunt I was unable to find anyone else...I even used the chat box to ask if anyone was around me but I recieved no answer! Thank you for your response!

Dear Mom,

I had previously told you about my English 103 class and how a program entitled Second Life is incorporated into the class. Without too much background knowledge on this new technology, I’m assuming that the CSI we watched together tainted your view in a negative way. On the contrary, this virtual world is not “creepy” but has some amazing educational elements. The first question that comes to your mind is most likely my safety, as I interact with avatars all over the world with an avatar I have created named Jamey Wonder. Rest assured, as one can decide how much they link their virtual self to their real self. This aside, I am able to travel all over the world in Second Life! If I want to explore various study abroad options, I can travel to other countries and view their virtual cities. Often times these places have key points of interest that you can also visit. Imagine yourself in France and being able to view the Eiffel Tower! This technology is very advanced, and it is interesting how my professor has intertwined Second Life with writing. How do you feel about me becoming involved in this virtual world? Do you have any questions or concerns? If you wouldn’t mind replying, that would be fantastic, as I will be posting your response onto an additional technology called a wiki for a class project.

Love,

Sarah

P.S. What do you think of my avatar picture?

Hi Sarah, 

You’re right; the only exposure I have had to Second Life, or virtual world, is through the CSI that we watched together!  My concerns most definitely would be centered on the avatars that Jamey Wonder would interact with and the exchange of any information which could potentially enable someone to find out who and where you are.  That being said, I think it is an interesting idea and I am interested to learn more about how you will use it in class and how it will be intertwined with writing.  Will you do research on certain topics using this technology and then have to write about it?  How do other avatars fit into the picture?  Do you interact with other avatars from other countries to get a real life picture of their culture and history?  If that is so, then are students from all over the world using this technology and interacting with you for the same purpose?  Ah, so many questions!  But I am glad you have asked me to become involved and I am looking forward to learning more about this fascinating technology!  

-Mom

Response September 29, 2009: Don't worry mom, as Professor Essid has commented, I can put up filters or block certain avatars if they are bothering me. I have used a made up name and have not revealed where I am in any way. Yes, we will be doing research using this program. For example, we explored different parts of the world in Second Life and commented on them (scavenger hunt project).  When I am walking around, I can approach other avatars and hold conversations with them if they are interested. These avatars are from all over the world, and many speak other languages. By visiting the places that they are from, I can get a sense of that country's culture and history. There are multiple colleges just like Richmond that own virtual land. Therefore, other students, like myself, are using this program for educational purposes. It was good to hear back from you!

Dear Professor Kaufman,

Technology is rapidly changing to allow each individual to customize and filter out what he or she desires to see everyday. This is demonstrated through “the daily me” we’ve read about in class. What if though, you were also able to create a virtual avatar in a program called Second Life? In my English 103 class, Professor Essid has incorporated this virtual world program. I’ve created my own avatar named Jamey Wonder (pictured above), and am able to teleport to any place in the world! How might this affect the study of leadership? Well if everyone, in addition to their own real self, has a virtual self, could their values and morals become dependent on what realm they were living in? Unfortunately, I do not know the answers to these questions, but I am having an exceptional time visiting these places across the world, and examining how avatars from numerous other countries interact with me. As a project for this particular class, I am writing you this letter to see how you feel about this new technology and all that it has to offer. If you have time to respond, I will be posting the response onto my wiki for a class project. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and I hope you are feeling better.

Sincerely, 

Sarah Lucier

Sorry to be late with this—the flu has made me delinquent. I am a true technophobe. I’m not familiar with the avatar experiment but worry that we are so fragmented without virtual twins that twinning and tripling could lead to chaos. Happy, tho, that you have it under control. Right now i have trouble putting myself in one place at one time. Good luck.

peter

Response October 1, 2009: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to respond to my email.  I agree that today with all the numerous forms of media, it is both exhausting and confusing to "put yourself in one place at one time." I see this being a problem with Second Life as it is already difficult to figure out who you are as an individual, before even considering creating a "new you" in a virtual world.