Wherein Second Life makes me Scream like a 13 year old Girl - Papermakis

Papermakis by Romy Nayar  (moderate)

The words I use on this blog post will provide the usual staid, boring, moderately adult type of description that you are used to reading from me.  In my head though I sound like a 13 year old girl screaming "OMG, OMG, OMG! You HAVE to SEE this!".  I am a long way from 13 and do not gush (well not normally) but I really want you to listen to her and go visit this new art installation.  The more mature me will try and provide some background and helpful information in a manner more consistent with the dull individual you know but, OMG!

MetaLES is a homestead which hosts art installations - each lasting approximately one month.  Last month it was work by Bryn Oh and next it will host new work by Maya Paris.  Until August 7th though you can have the pleasure of experiencing an astounding piece by Romy Nayar.  This is an art installation with performance components - and you are part of the performance.

Papermakis by Romy Nayar  (moderate)

Romy has created the world of the Papermakis.  I received two major assists in navigating this world - the first was the notecard which is written in Romy's native Spanish but provides an English translation.  It reveals that every time a drop of ink touches a piece of paper a tree is created which gives life to a Papermaki.  These are a curious and fun loving life form - each of them knows only the letter used to create their tree but in concert they complete words and sentences.  A very social group of beings - they need each other to make sense of the world.

I received invaluable help as well from Maya Paris.  She sent me an im to find out if I had visited this installation yet and I replied I was already there but confused. (not a state foreign to me unfortunately)  Maya helped me find the landing spot I should have used and explained how to get my own Papermaki av - it's important that you not scare them by appearing different from the life forms they expect.  That is Maya on the left in the top photograph explaining how to click on the box to receive my av and then use the chair to teleport down to their world once I was suitably disguised.

A word of advice here.  The av comes to you in parts and they aren't together in a folder.  If you're smart (and I wasn't when I first got them) you'll put them all, including the skin and shape, into your own folder and then use it to "replace" your current outfit.  If you don't do that you'll be adding bits and pieces and then having to detach all extraneous attachments you might have had on.  However you approach it though make sure you wear this av.  It will add enormously to your enjoyment of the installation and make it possible for you to interact with the delightful Papermakis.

Papermakis by Romy Nayar  (moderate)

The photo above shows both "native" Papermakis and two outsiders.  The individual on the far left in the distance is the artist Romy Nayar.  One of the group interacting in the foreground is Ux Hax, a co-owner of Perf4mance ..O.., the group which operates this art space.  The animations and interactions are superb.  In addition to the more traditional ability to sit on objects and be part of the scene, you will also be able to use the animations to become part of the Papermaki society (in an undercover, surreptitious manner).

One of the joys of this installation is the sound.  Turn off your streaming media and make sure your sound effects are enabled.  What you hear will be as quirky and charming as the culture you are exploring and essential to your understanding of their world.

Papermakis by Romy Nayar  (moderate)

It is true that I've been banned from using any type of inworld vehicle on most parts of the grid.  But nobody told the Papermakis!  There's a group joiner when you first enter their space and I was grateful because this is a group I certainly want to follow.  As a side benefit of joining you can click on the object and rez a car just perfect for your new form.  What a blast!  The sound effects on this little beauty luckily don't include crashes so I'm hoping nobody noticed the inevitable result of putting me behind the wheel of anything which requires steering.  I'm sure the dents I created were only temporary.

I tried different windlight settings in the Papermaki world and finally settled on Torley's Puur - you will of course find your own preferred background.  :)

One last note - the Papermaki love to party.  Make sure you click on things as  you explore - you might get lucky enough to join them.  They really are adorable, fun loving and social beings.  We are very very lucky to get this glimpse into their world.

Papermakis by Romy Nayar  (moderate)

Don't Panic! Avatars do not carry the Plague, Cooties or even the Swine Flu.

This is the Profile Pic I dared to use

I touched briefly yesterday on Google + and its apparent policy which, in line with Facebook, disallows avatars from creating accounts.  Well it doesn't really because many of us have, but it seems we're doing something bad and must expect that a guillotine will descend at some point and cut us off from many of our Google tools.  

If I read the policy correctly, everything now associated with my Google +  spawned profile would be out of my reach should my profile be suspended.  I'm still trying to understand which components that would be - it should become clear on the day my attempt to infiltrate a different class of society is detected and I am punished.

In the meantime, while I await my inevitable fate, I've been pondering the reasons why avatars would not be wanted on some social networks.  If it's just because of the giant corporations wanting to sell our information to advertisers well, they should really take a look at the amount of money we spend and get a grip.  In addition, word of mouth is a very powerful selling tool and avatars love to share their latest finds and broadcast product information.  This can't be the reason we're not wanted.  Marketers are smarter than that I hope.

I could have used this one I guess

My mental exertions have resulted in only one possible conclusion.  I could certainly be wrong but this is where I've arrived so far.  I think Google and Facebook try to ban avatars because the general populace is afraid of us.  After all, the one thing scarier than upgrading your operating system is the possibility that somebody on your social network is lying to you.  So I'd like to address that issue and the remainder of this post is addressed to you, the avatar-fearing social networker.

I've seen comments over the years that avatars are "pretending" and that we "aren't real" and, therefore, can't be trusted.  For reasons I'll explain further on these concerns are moot but for now let's address them and I'll do so individually.

The one thing avatars are not doing on social networks is "pretending".  We are quite open and honest about being avatars.  Our profile pics show you a representation of our inworld identities and our locations and descriptions relate to the metaverse and our activities therein.  We aren't 49 year old women pretending to be 16 year old boys to bully 13 year old girls.  We aren't sex offenders pretending to be contemporaries to groom young victims.  We aren't stealing identities by pretending to be somebody else.  Our avatars have friends and colleagues and work histories and established identities in the metaverse and by being up front and honest about that there is no pretense involved.

OK I admit this one is scary

As for not being real ...... I have some news for you.  It might be difficult to read so I'd like you to prepare yourself.  The fact is that the internet is not real life.  Take your time dealing with this revelation.  Get yourself a glass of water, maybe pace for a while or do some breathing exercises. This is something you must face.  The internet is a wonderful tool which, in addition to other things not relevant at the moment,  removes the barriers of distance, language, ability and even on occasion time to facilitate interaction with other people and information.  But it is not real life. 

On the internet my avatar is just as real as you are.  Along with you and everybody else on the social network scene, she chooses what information she will share with others.  She has acquired a history of interactions with others using technology.  She has a sense of humour and ethics and her personality has emerged as a natural consequence of her activities on the net.  Everybody around you that you have met solely through online interactions is projecting a persona.  They hide or embellish or deceive at will. 

One thing that avatars learn very quickly is that they are forced to deal with people without preconceptions based on gender, race, age or even culture.  Avatars learn that trust must be earned and you must learn the same.  Even if the photo is of a girl or boy much like you and their name is John or Jane Smith it is not real life.  Don't assume they are telling you the truth.  At least avatars are honest about their identity as an avatar.

and this one might be a little "out there"

I mentioned earlier that the concerns about avatars are moot and they are.  So here it is - the real reason not to care about avatars.  We aren't interested in you.  The truth is that you really have nothing to fear from small enclaves of self admitted avatars within the giant social networks containing hundreds of millions of people.  We socialize online with other avatars.  With very rare exceptions usually having to do with mutual interests in certain topics, we don't interact with people who don't share our preoccupation with virtual worlds.  In fact we're quite insular and don't want to talk to you.

So to you fine folks who are terrified of avatars on your social networks.  Do not fear.  There is no possibility of contagion or contamination.  The gene pool will not be corrupted.  Your children will not be born with fur or blue horns or fairy wings.  You are quite safe from us.  Better you should worry about that person pretending to be "real".

Bird Flu is just a vicious rumour, really!

Opie, Andy and Google Plus Musings in the Heartland of Second Life

Psy City (moderate)

I know that the name Psy City and a self proclaimed description as an "Industrial Style" town will call up images of a futuristic post apocalyptic creation full of role players who look like mutated cyborgs.  Well it does to me.  However, I found instead a virtual Mayberry which, although dedicated to all kinds of electronic music, would feel comfortable to those who like to imagine the simpler times a number of decades ago.

I began my journey today after seeing this photo by Shoji and thinking it looked like a place with a sense of humour.  On that count at least I was correct.  This is a very cool place with some truly funky details and deserves a good look around.

Psy City (moderate)

One of the things that struck me is an apparent obsession with automobiles and the obvious need for remedial driver training in this town.  Even the police can't drive straight - unless the officer was trying to climb the curb and hit a pole.  The citizens of the town though are optimists. When you get to the car wash (billed as the "Best Hand Job in Town") a group of you can work on one that once was a classic.  I don't think a wash will be enough to fix it.

There is a nice ambience in Psi City.  It's quaint without being "cutesy" and it has some lovely touches.  The small city zoo is fun and the town park comes equipped with a photographer.  As with most even slightly urban areas you'll find street work in progress although the workers themselves must be taking a long lunch.  You can also explore the sewer system - lots of trash here and there but the smell isn't too bad.

Psy City (moderate)

The animations and poses that lurk in various locations are sophisticated and far more realistic than I had expected.  The details and textures in this town are impressive and it gives you a feeling of welcome and warmth.  The life you'd live in Psi City is much more low tech and less complicated than the one we live now.  Wandering around made me a little nostalgic to be honest.

Part of my being drawn to a simpler time might be explained by the fact that I finally joined Google +.  I was just settling in and wondering how many windows I'll now need open to try and keep on top of things when I heard that Google might, in common with Facebook, have decided that avatars are not welcome.

Psy City (moderate)

The logic of banning avatars has never made sense to me.  If it's for advertising purposes, well my searches and activities are all done under this identity so targeting me isn't hard just because I'm an avatar.  If you want my real life name because you need to find me for the police you can still do that.  If you want it to give to somebody else then you can go suck on the hind end of a rhino. 

This real or imagined dismissal of avatars from "mainstream" networks gives Second Life a chance to enter that realm.  Add circles to web based profiles and make the new chat features there work properly and I'll use it. 

I'll keep exploring Google + til such time as the company clarifies their position on "identity".  If it turns out to be slavishly following Facebook's bigoted trail then I'll quit.  I'm probably as networked as this brain can handle already so I would like one location that handles most if not all of my needs in this area.  It would be cool if SL could deliver that.

Psy City (moderate)

Murder, Madness & Sex Beds in Second Life

Alice: Madness Returns (adult)

I surfaced from my post SL8B attempts to get my physical world in order (apparently it's a bad thing when the small dog gets lost in the overgrown lawn) and thought that I'd go back to exploring the grid.  People occasionally send me suggestions for locations to visit, and I appreciate that, so when I saw a message from sweet, innocent, demure Uccie I thought I'd check out her suggestion.

I was a little startled to see this was an Adult site but then started to remember a few Uccie - related incidents (I don't want to talk about the flamingo, I don't even want to remember the flamingo) and decided some caution would have been smart.  But having arrived this intrepid explorer continued on.

Alice: Madness Returns (adult)

It occurs to me that Second Life has a lot in common with Midsommer County or St. Mary Mead - we have a very high per capita murder rate.  Not even taking into consideration the shootem/killem games or military types inworld, there seems to be an alarming number of murderous types roaming around the grid.

In this case the build is based on The Game Alice: Madness Returns.  I received that information when I arrived so my expectation was that I would be reporting on a game build.  By the time I finished my coffee I had realized my error and promised myself to do some research first on any suggestions for exploration I might receive in the future.  At least then I'd be somewhat prepared. :)

Alice: Madness Returns (adult)

I need to point out that even in the midst of my confusion as to the purpose I did recognize that this is a tremendous build.  It is, I'm sure, faithful to the spirit and characters of the game although visitors expecting to see representations of a favourite story from their childhood might be a bit startled.  I mean even a teapot looks evil and, as unappealing as those soldiers are, what the giant Alice does to them is not an example of the behaviour you'd expect from a child.

I stumbled over one apparently benign scene in the midst of the mayhem.  I didn't examine it too closely because I wanted to cling to the illusion that at least something would provide me with sanctuary should the bloody path of Alice's adventure become too much.  A caterpillar would be safe, right?

Alice: Madness Returns (adult)

"Why" you might be asking yourself, as was I, is this site rated Adult?  Certainly murderous individuals and evil deeds don't usually require more than "mature".  The answer is that this is actually the extraordinary setting for a group of stores.  Or one store with products in it from multiple sources.

FireStarter DesiGns, Xstaxy, and Tiger Paw sell adult wares.  I didn't examine them too closely but can report that (according to the signs) the sex beds are Xcite compatible.  As a shopping environment this is far superior to the usual mall and it's certainly a reason to go check out the goods on offer - particularly if you're in the market for that type of thing.  I'm not but I'm glad I went to visit even if it's going to be a long time before I forget that Cheshire Cat.  Somehow I can't imagine Stephen Fry's voice coming out of this beast.

Alice: Madness Returns (adult)

Second Life is Very Hard on Cows

One Day My Cow Will Come (moderate)

Really.  Where's the love?  Second Life residents adopt and lavish affection on chickens, horses, cats and Meero's but who takes care of the cows?  In recent weeks I've seen people riding them, mocking them, using them as footstools and there was one unfortunately unforgettable incident involving a cow and a banana.   Today I saw one thrown through the air via catapult.  I was the one who put her there but I'm now feeling the anguish which comes from knowing I'm just as guilty as everybody else of abusing these poor creatures.

I should start at the beginning I suppose.  I found an art exhibit called One Day My Cow Will Come by Eupalinos Ugajin.  It is high in the air above Rose Borchovski's Susa Bubble Story and it is a fascinating, bizarre and totally wonderful creation.

One Day My Cow Will Come (moderate)

When I arrived at the site the "City" was closed but there was this tourist office.  Make sure you read the notecard or you will miss much of what this build has to offer - and as strange and bizarre as it is you don't want to miss anything.  Also make sure you're wearing the flight feather - it may be the only thing that saves you.

Clicking on the box made of concrete bricks opened the "City" and now I know how Alice felt.  Think of the opening as a rabbit hole and brace yourself.  Use the teleports to visit all of the various areas of the "City" but be very careful of Mrs. Bones.  That chainsaw didn't get covered in blood because she was crocheting doilies.  Oh and there are also aliens and you are warned to have your umbrella or laser gun handy.  There's also a hud available and you get advice from Buster Keaton.

One Day My Cow Will Come (moderate)

I'm forgetting a number of things you should watch out for but by now you should have some idea of what you're going to face.

I met the artist while I was trying to get photographs that might convey some of this intriguing build.  Eupalinos' avatar is fitting for somebody who could create an installation as complex and surreal as this.  Unfortunately it was in constant motion and I couldn't get a reasonable picture - but trust me, it's odd.  Of course that might just be my middle class reaction to the headless bodies that appeared to be attached to it.  Eupalinos gave me a link to a photo of the avatar - turns out those bodies have heads after all.  :)

One Day My Cow Will Come (moderate)

Back to the cows.  Overhanging the "City" is a giant catapult.  Eupalinos has loaded it with 3 pages of potential projectiles - objects from a long list of other artists who are credited in that invaluable notecard.  You can also load your own temporary ammunition if you desire.  Click on the box with the leaf to load the catapult and then click on the box with the plane to fire it.

I succumbed to temptation and loaded an innocent cow into the device.  I won't tell you what happened - it is a sight that will haunt me for a long time.  There is a great video the artist did of this build - it might help you prepare for the experience.  Another video documents the tragic end to an entire herd of innocent animals.

Go visit One Day My Cow Will Come - ride the poor donkey, have a drink at the outdoor cafe, pet the dinosaur and avoid the chainsaw.  Then if it will help, fling away your stress with the catapult.  I'm going to go adopt a cow and smother it with love.

One Day My Cow Will Come (moderate)

A Flaming Bloody Scarlet Red Ruby of a Build in Second Life and Video Card Insecurity

Locus (moderate)

I don't know about you but when I see something I don't expect I immediately start to worry that either my system or its components are starting to fail or deliberately messing with me.  I know they're sentient and I figure they have an evil sense of humour.

Such was my reaction this morning. I was using the map to island hop and saw one that is a lot of red.  When I landed I first thought that my video card had acquired some strange colour obsession so I hopped somewhere else, confirmed everything looked normal and went back.  It's definitely red.  It's also gorgeous and, once you start exploring, it's very difficult to leave.

Locus (moderate)

Many of us, I'm sure, remember the story of DB Bailey the architect in Second Life.  In the physical world he is David Denton and he built an  inworld model of a project he was bidding on and walked the client through resulting in a win and the subsequent construction of the Cleopatra Water Courts in Cairo.  I have visited his builds a few time but this was my first exposure to his new headquarters on Locus.

DB's parcel information describes Locus as a sim devoted to the exploration of new building and art  forms unique to the virtual world. It is also the studio of DB Bailey (David Denton architect in RL).  Art, Architecture, Design, Art Gallery, Art Museum.

Locus (moderate)

This build is not a uniform colour of red - although it appears to be when you first arrive.  Adding shadows allowed the local lights to pop and the various shades of scarlet and red and ruby and more to emerge.  Then you start to see the touches of contrasting colours used very sparingly but to great effect.

It's easy to ignore the strength of the build if you just focus on the colours.  Give yourself time to start appreciating the extraordinary design once your mind accepts the palette.  And please give objects a chance to rez - there are a lot of sculpties used in the design - the hands are just one of the things worth waiting for.  I can hardly wait for mesh and really hope he uses it - the results should be amazing.

Locus (moderate)

After I managed to pry myself away from the build I did a little link googling for this post and found a recent interview with DB done by Crystal Rehula.  The build they were discussing had to be this one except it was apparently done in shades of green.  I went back inworld and checked my screen in various sites before returning to Locus.  My insecurities aside, I swear it's now red.  But who knows for how long that will last.

 

Go see what somebody this talented can do with the tools available in Second Life.  But, if it looks different to you please don't tell me.  I have plenty of neuroses as it is.  I don't need a new one.

Locus (moderate)

Taking Second Life Photographs is like Buying Toothpaste

DDLE2 (moderate)

When I was a young explorer (yes, this is an "in my day" reference) you'd go to the store to buy toothpaste and there were 3 choices.  Didn't take long.  These days there is a 50 foot aisle with hundreds of options and I find myself just standing there, eyes glazing over, trying to remember which one I bought last.

The number of features available to the inworld photographer is starting to make me feel the same way.  I'm still playing with buttons and settings.  Frankly if we get too many more graphics and lighting options I'll never get a photograph of anything - it's just too much fun to "see what happens if I click this".  Choice is good and the results are a major improvement - it's just not an environment which breeds speed or efficiency.  At least not for me.

DDLE2 (moderate)

Today's destination is DDLE2.  DDLE apparently stands for Designing Dynamic Learning Events (DDLE)  course in Second Life.  My google powers have deserted me because I can't find any information on this island apart from the name and the fact that this is a really cool location for arbitrary button pushing.  :)

Some things I have managed to figure out.  I normally use ctl/alt/left click to control my camera and the same combination allows you to define the object to be in focus when using Depth of Field.  This is very nice for an old brain that really makes little attempt to memorize keyboard shortcuts.  I leave that to my 18 year old cat who seems to know all of them and invokes them periodically just to keep me humble.

DDLE2 (moderate)

Unless you choose otherwise, an avatar will always be in focus.  I will never be great at portraits and I'm not really interested in portraits of me at anytime.  But I was the only one there so I took this shot just as an example of the default depth setting.

DDLE2 (moderate)

I promise to get back to focusing on the regions I visit. :)  In the meantime buttons for shadows/depth of field/windlight/atmosphere/east angle and more await.  If you encounter me somewhere standing like a lump and being non-responsive, well I'm probably just wondering what will happen if I "do this".  It's nothing personal I just have too many choices in front of me and I'm finding it difficult to make decisions.

DDLE2 (moderate)