[MD] Inorganic, organic, social, intellectual,.... virtual

[MarshaV]

At 04:33 AM 9/4/2008, you wrote:
>A short while ago Krimel posted about an experiment designed to induce an
>out of body experience where subjects get to see themselves from outside
>(behind) themselves; coincidentally, I read some articles recently about
>Second Life ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Life) and decided to give
>it a try.
>
>Second Life takes you into a virtual world where you can make things,
>teleport and network socially - you do this through your avatar
>(incarnation) and it induces a similar experience described in Krimel's
>experiment. I read that this amasing software was partly developed by a team
>of Asperger's sufferers and has gained favour as an empowering tool for
>people with disabilities.
>
>In Second Life you have a body, avatar, but the biological restraints of
>eating, sleeping, relieving etc are removed. This world came out of
>Intellect but to exist there, one quickly learns, depends on conducive
>social interaction. It mirrors the 'real' world and then some. I asked
>others there where they are from in real life and how old they are etc; one
>long term user told me that who you are in real life does not matter and we
>began a discussion about who is my self.
>
>I had heard of such virtual worlds before and had a dim view; I told some
>family and friends about it and could sense their uncertainty when they
>advised caution; since using the program over the last 10 or so days I have
>found myself walking down the real streets of my local town with a smile on
>my face. Sad or what?
>
>Anyone else here tried it?
>
>Regards
>
>-Peter
>


"``Dad?''
``What?'' A small bird rises from a tree in front of us.
``What should I be when I grow up?''
The bird disappears over a far ridge. I don't know what to say. 
``Honest,'' I finally say. "

  (ZMM, Chapter 22)






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Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.........
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