Comments on: Second Life: It doesn’t matter if you like it

By: Case Western Reserve University enters SL « Observations of Public Relations

Fri, 18 May 2007 03:26:40 +0000

[...] bit of time in Second Life the past few weeks to figure out what all the hub-bub is. My theory is, you can’t complain about it without trying it, and we should all keep an eye on the changing [...]

By: Owen Lystrup

Owen Lystrup — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 21:06:14 +0000

So I’m WAY late to this party.

I’m not sure how I missed this conversation, but I think because it was a post about SL I skipped over it. So my apologies, Luke.

Your argument for SL is much like Shel Holtz. He and I have gone round and round on the issue. I’ll repeat basically what I said to him.

I hate Second Life. The place creeps me out.

However, I also recognize that it is gaining some popularity and that there’s tremendous potential in it. Adversely, I don’t think it will be Second Life that fulfills this potential, and I don’t think Second Life is quite as popular as Linden Labs makes it out to be. The numbers are a little shaky.

I also hate the anonymity about the place. It’s hard to take something seriously when you don’t know who or what you’re interacting with (Strumpette). I can understand the use of being anonymous, but it usually doesn’t sit well in the business world.

To sum up, my point is this: Second Life is something I interact with because I have to basically. It’s making an impact on our profession and it needs to be watched.

But it’s not something I like.

I recognize the potential and leave it at that.

Thanks to Chris by the way for throwing my name in. Much appreciated.

The whole discussion about saying something and leaving it be, or having an opinion is a bit surreal. Why not talk about it as much as possible? Lord knows FIR does.

“Why don’t you marry it?” comes to mind.

Conversation is important. And with something like Second Life that, as Shel would like to believe, is supposedly going to change the universe, talking about it at great length will help us understand the whole thing.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 11:16:28 +0000

Hiya, I’ve been a secondlife resident for a year or so now and I totally agree some like it and some hate it, Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and such.

When I’m having discussions with other people about SL, I usually ask them have you tried it? If no what turns you off trying it? IF you’ve tried it what didn’t you like about it?

The thing most people seem to forget is just because you like/dislike something doesn’t mean everyone else has to do the same.

By: Luke Armour

Luke Armour — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 23:11:36 +0000

Chris,
Your points about being passionate are well taken. After all, isn’t it that passion that makes social media work? Hell yes. Even better, as you say, it helps drive social media makers. It keeps podcasters podcasting, bloggers blogging, and the conversation going on those blogs and beyond. I even agree with you about SL, it doesn’t do anything for me. But I understand it’s another thing communicators need to be aware of so that when it becomes something mainstream, we can help clients or the c-suite navigate. It may never. But wouldn’t you rather get headlines from FIR than have to pay attention to it yourself? I certainly would.
“One-trick pony” was one of the eye-brow raising comments, btw. I feel that needs explaining. Perhaps I took it too much to heart.
I agree to disagree in this case. Thanks for offering your side of the story. Nice to see that the conversation indeed works.

By: Chris Clarke

Chris Clarke — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 21:10:59 +0000

While the show does belong to the hosts, they make it pretty clear every now and then that “FIR is a comment-driven show”. I can see that you’d prefer if a person made their point and got on with it, but I don’t think that people like myself and Owen Lystrup have repeated ourselves much at all. We each said our piece, and we’ve moved on. I can’t see why you have a problem with our points being made “with such effrontery”, though.

Don’t you think that the fact that so many people have more than an opinion on SL, but a passionate one, is a good thing? If it means Shel and Neville have to live with an audience of “SL lovers” and “SL haters” then so be it, as long as the audience feels strongly about the show. It’s like a dramatic TV show or movie – people get passionate and voice their opinions when they care about something like FIR. The funny thing is sometimes what those people hate most about the show is what keeps them coming back! God knows I’ll cringe the next time I hear a SL segment, but that will just make me listen more intently and shake my head when it’s over. That’s more than a David Phillips commentary can get me to do!! (Nothing against David, though)

But I see your point, which is to make one and be done with it. The beauty of making your point in this space is that it can turn into a conversation. Owen Lystrup and I have had a few chats about SL’s place in PR, as have a number of other people I won’t mention.

By: Luke Armour

Luke Armour — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 18:02:05 +0000

Chris,
No, you’re certainly entitled to your opinion, as I am mine. But I felt it was brazen to be critical over their bandwidth more than once. The point was made, and that’s fine, but I felt it should have been dropped. My take wasn’t that you (and others) voiced the opinion, it was that it was done with such effrontery. I guess I never made that clear.
I find it acceptable to soapbox here. This was rant on my blog, not over the show that has taught us so much. That would be biting the hand that feeds you, to be cliche’.
I’ve been critical before, of IPR, FIR, and others and told them so, I’m not against that. But I make my point and am done with it. I let them decide the value of my comments, like I wrote, it’s their show, we’re just guests.
SL and FIR should not mix, you write. But it’s their show. So, yes, I believe that they “can do whatever they want.” What makes anyone think otherwise?

By: Chris Clarke

Chris Clarke — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 12:09:11 +0000

Luke, I see your point – sorta. It’s just a bit odd that you’re entitled to your opinion while criticizing others peoples’. How about I have my opinion (SL and FIR should not mix) and you can have yours (FIR can do whatever they want)?

By: Luke Armour

Luke Armour — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 17:59:41 +0000

Neville,
As a wise man once said, “you shouldn’t talk with your mouth full.” Maybe that’s your comm angle.

By: Neville Hobson

Neville Hobson — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 10:55:46 +0000

Edible underwear? That could be an interesting topic for the show.

All I need is the communication angle…

By: Paull Young

Paull Young — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 01:42:15 +0000

I agree with your sentiments here Luke, very well expressed as per usual.

I haven’t tried out Second Life yet. I’m sure I will eventually, precisely because the guys who really know what they’re on about are advocating it so strongly.

The Text 100 Second Life video is very interesting – that’s my first look at the virtual realm. I half expected the avatars to all pull out guns and start shooting though… clearly too much x-box time at uni…

The other aspect of this post that worries me is the insight it gives into your dietary habits Luke. You don’t like fruit and vegies… but you mention edible underwear. I’m trying not too read between the lines…