Second Life special on NBC?

[Dover]

I saw an advertisment for an NBC special about the virtual world called Second Life. It was supposed to be on after Law And Order tonight, but now it seems there is something else on (another L & O episode). Anybody know any more about this, and if the Second Life special was rescheduled?
I am really fascinated by this 'virtual world' and was looking forward to learning more about it.

Thanks

[Mind_your_head]

1. What a coincidence....I just heard about SecondLife.com

and There.com for the first time about an hour ago - had never heard of it at all before. I went to the website, but didn't try the free trial, yet. Do you 'do' this? Can you tell me anything more about it and do really a lot of people play it?

[Dover]

2. No, sorry. No first hand experience to offer. I've only read articles.

Was trying to understand how people could actually earn a living in these worlds.
I'm fascinated but not tempted to enter that world. I really enjoy the real one too much and don't have the time/interest in entering another.

[Mind_your_head]

7. I was reading in a (realty ) magazine that these 'metaverse' sites

and other online communities, like MySpace, would be important places to network for business in the future.

I'm not sure that I believe that claim, but was intrigued that perhaps it was a bigger phenomena than I was aware of...like when you mentioned that there is to be a teevee special about it.

I agree with you and Connie Corleone's comment below....I would rather do this in 'real life'. I wonder how many people ARE really doing it/playing the game, who/what kind of people are they - adults? kids? college-age?, and why are they doing it in virtual rather than real life?

[Connie_Corleone]

3. Second Life

What is Second Life?

Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by a total of 4,123,161 people from around the globe.

* From the moment you enter the World you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business.

* You'll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow residents. Because residents retain the rights to their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other residents.

* The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the in-world unit-of-trade, the Linden dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online Linden Dollar exchanges.

http://secondlife.com/whatis/

(It sounds interesting, but I would rather do all of this in real life.)

[Dover]

6. Looks like NBC has a 'studio' of sorts in this virtual world >>>

http://www.secondlifeinsider.com/2006/11/29/nbc-universal-in-second-life/

I agree, I prefer my real life, and would have difficulty doing both.
And I would imagine that it would take a commitment of real time to enter and participate in another world.

[and-justice-for-all]

4. I participate in SECOND LIFE...

..I am still new to it. Its ok so far, its kins of EVERQUEST like in a way. I think it needs to be more "Real World" like rather then Fantasy, it could be however and I may not have discoverd it yet.

[Dover]

8. That's an interesting statement....that you want this virtual world to be

more like the 'real' world rather than fantasy. Hmmmm....
Do you really want it to be like the real world as it IS right now or as it 'could' be?

[and-justice-for-all]

9. 'As it could be'...

I guess what I meant to say come out a little differently didnt it?...LOL

[Dover]

5. Did ANYONE else see the advertisement for this special?

Strange that there was absolutely no mention of it on NBC's web site. The ad I saw was on t.v., not in print.

[shadowknows69]

10. I'm a second life-a-holic

it is fascinating stuff. You can start businesses and create objects, live music, full length movies, casinos, everything. I started a lione of protest T-Shirts actually. I was wandering around all the online mardi gras parties in a Tee with a pic of Bush playing the guitar that said, "While New Orleans Drown, Nero fiddled." I'm taking the message to the Matrix DU, wish me luck!!.

[Mind_your_head]

11. Sounds like Lady Luck has found you!!!!

I just saw this thread that you started. Congratulations on this opportunity - very cool!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x311640

[shadowknows69]

12. I know my wife will be pleased

and less likely to divorce me if my rampant videogaming finally produces a paycheck.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. I'm hearing Twilight Zone music....lol

I was researching new avenues for online marketing and came across a big conference coming up for Second Life and similar online communities, and how "real world" big companies are tapping into this world in the hope of generating real-world customers and revenue.

So, it's cool to see it being discussed here. Congrats to you!!!

I'm clueless about Second Life, though. I need to look into it more. I can't wrap my brain around how this could be a marketing tool for real world promotions.

I'm being a bit of a jane-of-all-trades of late: editing a novel and gearing up to help with PR for it; writing/editing a new workplace magazine w/online community; helping a friend in India with a new mobile content contest/promotion. I'm a huge fan of how the Internet can be an authentic tool to promote things to the appropriate audience but it's really hard to keep up with things! I refuse to participate in scam-type approaches and truly believe being transparent and authentic is THE best marketing tool.

Do you see a way for SL to help someone like me promote products/services to my target audience?

Again, congrats and best of luck to you!

[shadowknows69]

14. Second life is amazing

and there are lots of opportunities for free promotion. There are book discussion groups, poetry workshops, whole libraries that let you read public domain (and some not so public domain) novels. Copyright law is going to have a real headache with this place if artists and companies pursue it because tons of people are using photos and such they probably shouldn't be. I'm hoping the artists see it as free pub more than thievery because that's really what it is. It's an amazing thing i have to say and it may well be the future of the internet. That is the goal of its makers in my understanding. I recommend it for anyone with a decent ISP and graphics card. You really won't beleive how massive and intricate it is. It really is "The Matrix". Addicting as hell too. Like having a free open pass to disney world.