I still remember the first time I read something about immersionism and augmentation and it immediately caught my attention. The subject is so interesting because it's about the meaning of this world to its inhabitants.
I have (more or less) followed the recent discussions, but with a growing feeling of wonder about the rising emotions being showed. Maybe it's because I feel familiar with both views: I agree with Dandellion that the two are not definitely opposites.
For me, it actually depends on my own mood, the place I am and the company I'm with, which way the needle points.
Nevertheless, no matter what definitions of immersion and augmentation you use, it's a fact that people with different views on the topic are living together on the grid. And - like in the atomic world - it's tempting to fight each others ideas. But it's an illusion to think that one day you will convince "the other side": we are bound to live together, if we like it or not.
Argent Bury has got the point and gave a good example in the positive way, showing us her principles and goals . And I will gladly accept her invitation to tell about my rules for living in SL.
We should stop debating, and find our common goals instead.
And pondering about this, which song would fit better, than this one?
When trying to describe my "rules", the first thought that occured to me was that they aren't (and shouldn't be?) different for my first and second life.
My main principle is RESPECT.
I won't judge anyone because of appearance or view of life. And that means more than "live and let live" to me. I will ask people why they are doing or thinking like they do. I want to understand, I'm curious at what's driving other people and I like the discussion. Understanding makes it easier to accept and "let live", and it does not necessarily mean that you agree.
If I disagree, I will say it. Showing respect is also being true and open. My human can't lie: her face (eyes) will always show what she's thinking. In SL the opportunities to "lie" are various. But I won't use an alt to avoid people, I won't hide my online status to hide for friends, and I won't say that I like something that I think is disgusting. In the worst case I will stay silent ;-)
Sometimes showing respect also means that you have to adapt. Adaption is ok with me, as long as I can be myself. For example, I'd never visit a church without covering my body (SL and FL), and when I'm visiting a roleplaying sim, I usually try to dress according the theme. But I'll never take off my neko bits for that purpose.
Finally, to my opinion respect is about politeness. I'll always approach people friendly and you won't hear dirty talk from me.
My other big rule of life is ENJOY
I'm pleased easily with simple things. It's the conversation with a friend that makes me happy, or the great song played by a DJ, or a visit to a skillful built sim.
But what gives me most joy is when imagination is used. And one of the most powerful tools for imagination is speech. Words can describe anything. Words make cybering fun, and the best parties are those where in chat the bottle (or sushi?) is passed on, instead of the "Howlzzz" and "Rrrrruuba" (or even worse: IM silence).
Imagination means to me feeling free of the atomic world limitations. I'm not here to copy my first life. I don't need a house with a fully equiped kitchen, but live in a tent on a beach. And I love that.
March 05, 2008
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5 comments:
This is terrific, Zippora, and good for my soul after a week of bigotry and nastiness on the subject.
Thank you for sharing your principles and your beautiful life!
Soph beat me to the punch this time.
I really needed to read something like this this week. Thank you.
By the way, I'm very happy to hear that your human has turned a corner in her life. I'm going to be a bit selfish, though, and say that I hope they let you come and play and share your wisdom with us from time to time.
Please come visit us in Extropia sometime. Always more room for a kindred spirit.
Best,
Argent
Words of wisdom. Thanks dear.
*blushes* These kind words of people who's blogs I like to read mean a lot to me. Thank you all *smiles happily*
Very well said, sister! I was nodding all the time, as those rules are very close to how I feel about SL.
For me, the whole discussion about immersionism and augmentation is a mirror for our lives, and it shows how many people have problems with accepting others who are "different" in any way. As most of you might know, I'm somebody who often mixes up his RL and SL activities and is not very secretive about it (at least not on this side of life, as I'm mostly hiding my SL from RL actually), but I fully accept that there are fellow SLers out there who choose to be "somebody else" in SL and therefore don't feel the need for sharing RL stuff with people on here.
Certainly, I'm always curious about the people behind the avatars (I'm a neko, after all...), but exchanging any information beyond SL should only be done if both parties are willing to do it. As you said, Rule Number One must be RESPECT and that includes respecting the privacy and decisions of others!
OK, I thought I wouldn't have much to say on this subject, but looking back at this comment it seems I should post my own thoughts about it one day ;)
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