DestroyTV is an impressive project put together by the Electric Sheep Company to create an interactive web window into the virtual world of Second Life. Basically you can see through the eyes of an avatar in Second Life, move her around a bit, and even chat with other avatars in the area. All from your…
Making my doppelganger: getting closer!
Man, it’s tough making an avatar that actually looks like you. Which I guess is why people have jobs making avatars for other people. After struggling with the somewhat maddening slider controls this weekend, I think I’m getting closer. You be the judge. My girlfriend has already critiqued it: "Your jaw is more square and…
Four new studies ask “Does Bigger Media Equal Better Media?”
Tomorrow my program at the Social Science Research Council will be releasing four important studies on the media during a telephone press conference at 1pm EST. Specifically, the studies focus on four areas: The Radio Industry. Peter DiCola, of the University of Michigan and the Future of Music Coalition, examines how the concentration of radio…
Castronova announces Shakespearean MMORPG
In a surprise announcement, Prof. Ted Castronova of Indiana University clarified today his earlier statement that he was building a virtual world based on the texts of William Shakespeare. "Some have asked me whether anyone will be interested in visiting 3D representations of plays that they were forced to read in high school and have…
“Does this avatar make my butt look big?”: the perils of creating your girlfriend’s avatar
I’ve somehow been tasked with creating my girlfriend Cindy’s avatar in Second Life. Some guys might think it sounds fun to re-create your girlfriend in whatever dimensions, shape, hairstyle and outfit you want. Let me tell you, it’s no picnic. How exactly does one safely respond to, "Why did you make me so ugly?"
Liveblogging from MacArthur Press Conference on Digital Learning
The MacArthur Foundation announced today at the Museum of Natural History their new initiative to provide $50 million to fund universities and non-profits for work on using technology for education. I'm at the press conference right now. MacArthur President Jonathan Fanton's summarized the proceeding with the following six points: This is a paradigm shift in…
MacArthur Digital Learning event today (webcast and SL broadcast)
The MacArthur Foundation announced today at the Museum of Natural History their new initiative to provide $50 million to fund universities and non-profits for work on using technology for education. I’m at the press conference right now. Here’s the details on how to connect from the web and Second Life: Thursday, October 19, 2006 ,10:00…
Second Life hits a million+ registrants!
Yes, I know it doesn’t mean there are 1 million RESIDENTS, still 1 million REGISTRANTS is still a pretty big deal, at least as a sign of the media-savviness and popular culture invasion of Second Life. Pretty much every day I’m running into newbs who just registered that morning, wandering around, looking for the porn…
“And the nominees are”: Four SL Machinimists up for “Mackies” awards
The Academy of Machinima Arts and Sciences has released the nominees for this years "Mackies" machinima awards. An impressive number of the digital films include works by Second Life machinimists, including: "Game Over" by Pierce Portocarrero nominated for Best Technical Achievement and Best Visual Design "Silver Bells and Golden Spurs" by Eric Call nominated for…
Fun Swedish swing dance video
Damn those Swedes can swing. Here’s a sweet dance video of the Swedish swing performance team confusingly named the "Harlem Hot Shots." Recorded at the Herräng Dance Camp in July 2006. I know the band doesn’t look like they are playing, but…