- How is Second Life a disruptive technology?
Second Life is disruptive because it quickly added an ability for people to meet, collaborate, and create virtually through technology. We could now do a lot of new things using this "virtual world" without the costs of doing it for real.
- What technology or innovation did it displace?
Theoretically, this could replace the phone, video conferencing, email, etc. One example from the assigned resources mentioned how a professor was able to offer office hours "virtually" through Second Life. I found this interesting because I also teach at a college and rarely have time to meet with students. However, I could possibly set up office hours, or even just use "My Office" as a place to congregate and the students might even be able to help each other.
- How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?
I think Second Like does not have too much longer because, it is very useful, but only the tech savy people will truly use it to its greatest capacity. The interface and programming is not necessarily for the basic user (or could be very intimidating to the the novice). With computers becoming ever powerful, the abilty of this software along with ease-of-use will help make this software more user friendly which will increase the percentage of adoption.
- What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?
The benefits are definitely the ability to communicate in a virtual world (which mimics real life) and allows people to communicate regardless of locale. It also gives the ability for those who have difficulty communicating in public an alternative. HOwever, the social implications of this is that people lose the social interactions from having interactions face-to-face. People can get too comfortable communicating from behind a computer that they lose the abilty to communicate in person.
"We may prefer our digital life"
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with your comment regarding the lack of real social interaction. It's the one thing I try to express to students about texting and facebook, it's not the same as face to face. People talk about all of the friends they have on facebook, but these are not truly friends in most cases, just acquaintances.
Richard:
ReplyDeleteI do also believe that Second Life is for the tech savvy and not for the average users. It would have had a more powerful impact if it were. I disagree that people will lose the face to face communication touch. Humans will always communicate face to face, my family members for example. There will always be the need for face to face contact/communication. However, what second life does is to help others to communicate and socialize with people who are unable to do so face to face because of time and coast, for example socializing with someone in Japan, maybe once a week while living in the US. It enhances or provides another form of communication.
Soushira
Richard,
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting when you talk about people losing the abilitiy to communicate in person. What do you think this will look like? Do you think kids will learn to speak as babies via computer? I am not sure that communicate is out but really just being redesigned! What do you think?