Abby Dawson has her own version of the Serenity spaceship (or "boat" in Firefly parlance.) Head over the "Abby’s Serenity" in Rua to check it out in person (SLURL link). Or just see my pics here.
The American Memory Exhibit: Using virtual environments to teach about American history
The Second Life Librarian Shadow Fugazi has created an American Memory Exhibit on Info Island featuring a larger than life Declaration of Independence. The exhibit draws from the Library of Congress’s American Memory division, which provides free access to "written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps and sheet music that…
Serenity gets a Second Life! (pics)
I just found out about a cool new sim in Second Life devoted to the short-lived but much beloved sci-fi series "Firefly" and the subsequent movie "Serenity." Called "Washtown," the sim is a place for Firefly fans to role-play as browncoats and Alliance troopers or just hang out with other fanatics (like myself.) (Click here…
“Play Money” and the ethics of MMORPG cheating
I just finished Julian Dibbell’s informative and entertaining new book on virtual economies Play Money. If you will recall, I purchased both the virtual and real world versions of the book last month, opting to read the dead tree edition. It’s a quick read, told from the wry and clever personal perspective of the author,…
Sneak Peek at Aloft Starwood Hotel in Second Life
I dropped in on Aloft Island to check out the upcoming release of this much ballyhooed "Aloft" virtual hotel being sponsored by the Starwood Hotel chain. It’s set for a September launch, although it looks still pretty raw right now.
Idlewild, SYTYCD and the problem with dance on TV & Film
Thanks to a reporter friend (you rock, Alligator!), I saw an advanced screening of the Outkast vanity project "Idlewild" on Wednesday. (This is not a movie review, but if you are dying to know, the movie was just okay.) As an amateur lindy hopper and hip hop dancer, I was excited about the prospects of…
“Virtual Poetry Slam” for the environment: Win $500!
My friends at Citizens for Global Solutions have created a number of innovative campaigns and contests on various global issues. Their last effort to come across my in-box was a "Better than Bolton" home video campaign, urging people to send in short videos saying why they oppose the re-nomination of UN-basher John Bolton to the…
Gift Assistant provides no gift and no assistance
I don’t know why I haven’t blogged about this earlier. I guess I was waiting for the slow wheels of justice to grind. But the Better Business Bureau has just told me I’m SOL, so I’m resorting to complaining about it here. Don’t shop at the Gift Assistant . Last Christmas, I decided, instead of…
Andy Carvin heads to NPR
After a few weeks of silence, veteran blogger, Digital Divide activist, and cool dude Andy Carvin just announced that he has accepted a position with National Public Radio as "senior product manager for online communities." Andy writes that NPR is basically hiring him to be their Web2.0 strategist, which is a position he is perfect…
Slavery Still Exists: AP reports that sex slavery widespread in US
On August 15, authorities arrested the owners of 20 suspected brothels on the East Coast, where they rounded up 70 possible sex slaves from Korea. Experts and advocacy groups like Free the Slaves contend that slavery and human trafficking is alive and well, according to a recent AP story. The US State Department estimates that…