Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

What are different ways these virtual worlds can be used? What are the pros and cons? Be specific. How do virtual worlds foster creativity? What do you think the future of virtual worlds will look like?

Virtual world can be used in many ways. Some parties or organizations use it for meeting purpose. Some people use it for gaming and socializing. Some use the virtual world for entertainment. Some uses it for business and money making. According to Linden Lab, businesses are easier and budgets are cut lower in this way.

The pros of virtual world is that it allows users to have easier communication, less travel and budgets. According to Linden Lab, creators of Second Life, more than 1,400 organizations use Second Life to hold meetings, conduct training and prototype new technologies more efficiently. Many organizations and businesses are trying to lower on travel and make it time consuming by using Second Life. They create extra security for safety issue. They create altered avatars of themselves and the enterprise tool allows them to do so. There are other possibility as video conferencing.

The cons of virtual world is that some information or avatars can be fake. People are anonymous online. Different behavior on the network than on reality. There are money fraud that goes around in virtual world as well. Cheating and meddling with other people’s privacy as well. Or even if the avatar are a girl or guy, we do not know if it is a girl or guy in real because it could be false.

Creativity in the virtual world varies a lot. There are old and new media, entertainment, games, colorful thoughts and ideas. For example, for an avatar of yourself, you can change your hair color. You can change your skin, height, hairstyle, eyes, mouth, and more. To be anonymous, you can use a different name. You can lie about your age and job. For example in Second Life, the creator can design different house, apartment, bars, restaurants, store, museums and etc. He can change and add in portraits on the wall. He can have it a comfortable brown or orange colors. He could also make it scary if he wants to. He can create events for example, Halloween -- He can create green wallpapers for the wall and floor. Black or white curtains on the window could be used. In Hotel Chelsea, Mr. Brown took his time and created a building in Second Life. Many avatars were entertained and interested in his work. It was undergoing a great process at first.

Nowadays, virtual world are pretty common because technology advances so fast. Everyone uses the network for entertainment, gaming, streaming, downloading and discussions. There are some cons and pros, however everyone is learning to cope with it. Reality is reality and virtual world is virtual world. Maybe in the far future, if possible, they will mix better.

"In Room 100, It's Sid and Nancy All Over Again,"by Saki Knafo, The New York Times, May 3, 2009, p. CY6. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/nyregion/thecity/03virt.html

Going to the Virtual Office in Second Life, CNN.com: Nov 5, 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/11/05/second.life.virtual.collaboration/index.html