The UN Foundation just sent me this interesting notice about a contest they are running with MTV called “Your Turn to Get Exiled.” Apparently this is associated with some MTV reality show called "Exiled." All that matters is that if you win you get to go on a "net observation trip" to somewhere in Africa…
Category: Travel
Beijing’s Forbidden City as a virtual world (a mini-review)
I did a short fly-through of the new virtual world "Forbidden City: Beyond Space and Time" created by IBM and the Palace Museum of China. The goal of the project is "to provide the means for a world-wide audience to celebrate and explore aspects of Chinese culture and history" through doing a virtual tour of…
The importance of getting your bike fitted for your body
I have been biking pretty heavily all summer — back and forth from Brooklyn to Manhattan, about 5.5 miles from my apartment in Fort Greene to my office in Curry Hill. Sometimes twice in the same day, if I have a class or dance that evening. It’s been a great workout that I enjoy, but…
Draxtor’s video report from the Second Life Community Convention
Check out this silly video montage from the 2008 Second Life Community Convention produced by my friend and master machinima journalist Draxtor Dupres. Lots of my friends and colleagues on it it, including Tuna Oddfellow, Nonny de la Peña, Barry and Rhiannon Chatnoir from Global Kids, Frank, Paul and Kerria from Ill Clan, and a…
SLCC Wrap-up: Virtual educators dominate the Second Life Community Convention in Tampa
The three day Second Life Community Convention from September 5-7, 2008 in Tampa, Florida firmly made the case that some of the most vital and innovative work in the virtual world is being done by the education sector. With 400 some real world participants (plus others beaming in virtually) converging on the grand Marriott Waterside…
Tuna Oddfellow’s virtual magic performed live at SLCC Tampa (video)
Today we got to see Tuna Oddfellow performing his "virtual magic" at the Second Life Community Convention in the bar of the Marriott. Trippy, cool stuff!
Rafi’s feedback to Linden Lab on improving Second Life for educators
Here’s Rafi Santo giving his feedback to Linden Lab during a session today in Tampa at the Second Life Community Convention on how to improve Second Life for educators. Claudia Linden was there carefully taking notes of everyone’s comments during this feedback session. It’s great to see a concrete example of how that the Linden…
What happens at Strokerz Ball stays at Strokerz Ball (not really)
"Hi, I’m Stroker Serpentine, and I’m a pervert," announced the bald man with devil ears. So began yet another incarnation of "Strokerz Ball" at SLCC 2008. Infamous adult industry purveyor Stroker Serpentine threw another of his raunchy bachannals at the Second Life Community Convention last night, in a sweaty, dark party room in a Tampa…
Metanomics’ Beyers Sellers explains “Why Johnny Can’t Rez” at SLCC / SLEDcc ’08
Beyers Sellers, Professor at Johnson School at Cornell University and host of the popular "Metanomics" talk show in SL, gave a really neat keynote address on “Why Johnny Can’t Rez.” Beyers addressed the difficult issue of how to convince your higher-ups and colleagues to support your virtual education project. It was a nice capstone to…
Me breaking in Second Life at SLCC (sorta)
Here’s a cute picture of me doing a break freeze "in Second Life" using a green screen and a digitally super-imposed backdrop. Linden Lab set up a fun photo booth at the Second Life Community Convention where people could get their real live selves placed in a virtual background, from drinking in a pub to…