"It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." Wherever you are, you can bring light into dark places, even in Second Life. Two sims have offered up spaces where residents can go and light candles to which you can attach your own wishes and prayers. One is in Darkwood Cathedral (pictured) and…
1st FCC hearing on Media Ownership Oct 2 in LA
The Federal Communications Commission has announced the first of a series of public hearings on media ownership, to take place October 2 in Los Angeles. This is an important opportunity for Americans to get their voices heard on the kind of media they want. From the press release, FCC chairman Kevin Martin is quoted as…
Joystiq on Gov Warner virtual campaigning
Dennis McCauley in his latest column on Joystiq has a nice summary of the Second Life virtual campaign stop of Governor Mark Warner. He makes the important point that Warner’s visit was good for the reputation of online gamerz everywhere: For the online game community, the former Virginia governor’s Second Life stop was a definite…
How to build a tiki bar (1999 Atomic photo-essay)
The killer tiki website Humu Kon Tiki has scanned and re-posted one of the most entertaining and informative articles in the retro-style magazine Atomic, edited by my old friend Leslie Rosenberg. Entitled "Build a Real Tiki Bar" the article ran in the Fall 1999 issue. Balancing helpful advice on how to construct one of these…
Swinging at Elfay’s Jazz Party (video)
The lovely and talented Elfay Pinkdot has been hosting and DJing a great jazz and blues party on Saturday mornings in Second Life. She plays an ecclectic mix of great tunes interspersed with her sultry voice that’s great to wake up to. Here’s a YouTube video of her recent party yesterday, and a larger Quicktime…
Remembering the “Greatest Bar on Earth”
As the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attack approaches, I am feeling nostalgic and sad about the loss of the “Greatest Bar on Earth” on the 107th Floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. It was my most direct connection to the WTC, my regular Saturday night hangout for awhile. The “Greatest…
Shikima’s virtual World Trade Center: tribute or mockery?
I stopped in briefly to check out Shikima Riel’s tribute to the World Trade Center in Second Life. It’s not finished, but already I find it difficult to visit. (Direct teleport here.)
Second Life 9/11 Remembrances Planned
I just got word that the Second Life Library is planning a display of replicas of the World Trade Center and a space for people to share their memories and emotions on September 11 at 9pm EST. Sounds like a really great idea. I’ve also heard rumors of another group planning a Second Life re-enactment…
Harvard Law class taught in Second Life this Fall
In May I had the honor of hearing Dr. Charles Nesson, head of the Berkman Center at Harvard, map out his conception of educational institutions in an internet era: From Harvard’s point of view, this is a new world of education we are entering. Stressing open access to knowledge. The core value of a university…
Leopold the Katrina cat
One of the lesser tragedies of Hurricane Katrina were the hundreds of displaced animals who were seperated from their owners by the disaster. Hundreds of them were round up by caring individuals and humane societies and sheltered and fostered around the country. My girlfriend Cindy has been caring for a Katrina cat named Leopold for…