“Synthetic worlds […] provide a forum of interaction that is potentially beyond the reach of any Earthbound power” (254). Well you got that right Castranova.
Although not even completed yet, our group project for Second Life has already proved this to me. Our group is setting up a charity event for the Project Jason foundation. We have been advertising for the past few days and the response has been incredible already.
Growing up and playing in bands, I’ve promoted many shows in my day. But, I’ve never gotten so many responses and gotten them so quickly than when promoting this show. I sent out a tweet about the event and within a few hours, I had about 6 retweets and one of which was from Second Life itself (which has over 27,000 followers woohoo!).
All of these people wanted to help support the cause. If I were advertising for a real life performance, it would take at least 4 or 5 posts before anyone even acknowledged me.
On top of this aspect, synthetic worlds like Second Life can really achieve some of the same things that we can achieve in real life in a much quicker time. Our group has set up a benefit event in less than a month. We found a charity, found a space to rent out for free, and found a performer within this time.
And the event has the potential to draw in as much money as a charity event in real life would. THAT IS AWESOME. It is virtually no cost to anyone, and enough people enjoy Second Life that it can draw the same sized crowd. Actually, it has to potential to draw an even bigger crowd because people don’t even have to leave their house to attend.
It’s a really interesting experience and I’m pretty shocked by what these synthetic worlds are capable of.
(Relay for Life event on Second Life)
