Sitting on the ledge in the Sistene Chapel. I feel like I was really there. I seen pictures and heard about it, but I never knew how beautiful it looked in real life.

Second Life Being A Teaching and Learning Experience

Although Second Life is just a game, it can be viewed as a learning experience for students. Majority of some students can't afford to travel the United States, let alone travel outside the States. Going on Second Life and discovering different cultures can be really experimental. For example, if someone was to visit Vassar College, they can go to the Sistene Chapel and see the historical paintings. If they were to visit the real Chapel, they probably wouldn't be able to see the paintings. However, on Second Life, they can fly high and get close to the paintings. So, all in all, Second Life can be more than just a game.

Amsterdam

I visited Amsterdam and and found it to be exactly what I expected. The area was very well done with multiple tunnels, shops and things to do. There were storefronts available for rent, but alas, I had no wares to sell. The were definite adult themes in the red light district and on more than one occasion I was offered to partake in questionable smoking practices.

Flying over Central Station

Art and Society

It is clear the art implication of Second Life is to be as creative as possible with your imagination. Art references life and that goes the same for Second Life. A person's creative power is limitless in SL (Second life). SL bends the physical rules of reality to make within itself art. As for societal aspect of SL, it is indicated in our opinion a connection between people of the real world. In Second Life gives the meaning of unity among all people no matter what background a person comes from. SL has a culture all its owe. It really tries to mimic real life to a certain degree.As one person said on Second Life " It (SL) is just a way to show people who they are inside. SL provides a medium to express that."

Second Life Group Meeting

We met up at Vassar college as it was on the list of sites and we just needed to get the meeting setup and picture. The online meeting was fine but we didn't accomplish anything more than we couldn't just do though a standard chat client or another tool such as Wiggio. The extra graphics of second life didn't add anything to the experience and maybe took something away as it is to easy to go off and do something else like fly away.  But I must say it was much better than BB Vista as anything is better that BB Vista.

Chameleons at Vassar College

Spaceport Alpha

Spaceport Alpha was another science site. There was some interesting history and I enjoyed the large rockets, but I think you miss the true awe inspiring feeling these would produce if you saw them in real life. The Saturn V rocket that took man to the moon was and is still the largest space traveling vehicle man has ever built. I did enjoy the lunar lander as pictured below. There was a great amount of information at this site.

ISM Entrance

Lunar Lander

The Exploratorium

The Exploratorium was definitely a scientist's creation. There were exhibits on lunar and solar eclipses, a large amphitheater that was empty but could hold a large gathering, and all kinds of NASA and space video. There was no eclipse going on when I visited but I did enjoy the destination Mars video.

Hoping for an Eclipse

The Universe!! What a Ride!

Virtual Morocco

Virtual Morocco was a very cool place. There was a lot to do and many interesting items to visit and interact with. I liked just sitting on the beach and checking out the cool photos and history of Morocco. I also enjoyed the spice market where I got some new clothes, but I think a real spice market may have been a bit more sensual and fun than this virtual one.

Morocco Spice Market

Vassar College

Vassar College was a small site with a few areas to explore. There was no music playing at the site so it seemed very quiet. When I first arrived I took the flying tour in the tour car they have. My favorite parts were Vassar Castle and the Sistine Chapel. The artwork was done very well in the Sistine Chapel and is neat for someone to see if they do not have the ability to visit the real thing. Although as good as the virtual representation is, there is a great sense of awe that one feels when in the real Sistine Chapel.

Taking the Flying Tour

Sistine Chapel

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green was a very well built location in Second Life. There were many things to do and explore at this site. Including a performance center where music was playing and my character started to dance, a well done botanical garden, and even an Australian Outback. My favorite things at this site were the Art exhibits and the Zen garden. I though the Art was very well done, better than I had expected.

Sitting in the Zen Garden

Student Art Exhibit

In World vs Real World

The Second Life virtual world allows almost full freedom to do whatever an individual wants. There are few limits on what an avatar can do and they have no way of getting physically hurt. Users can fall off building and fly over whole towns. If they want to move from place to place characters can just teleport. This instant gratification simulated world can become very addictive. Individuals with personality disorders or other addictive traits can easily get to engrossed into the experience and let the real world pass them by.  And as good as Second Life or any future virtual world is, there is no replacement for the real world. The experiences that are truly what we are about as a human race can not be replicated in a virtual world. There is no physical contact, there is no smell and there is no taste. No experience that leaves out 3 senses can ever replace the real world.