Socially|Mundane

Mark Kingdon is interviewed by authors of 'The Social Media bible' for some of his insight regarding... social media. I haven't listened to the 20-minute podcast because I don't feel like taking the time or inclination to hear what I've heard before of what I've heard before of what I've hea... Yes. You get the idea.

I am assuming it is that same old same old based on the synopsis description on the Social Media Bible web site. And I have no doubt whatsoever the message is the exact same message that has been coming out of Linden lab for the last few months.

I have been in Second Life since early 2006, (this account since Novemebr that year,) and remember the 'good old days'. I know there are even 'gooder old days' to those there long before me. I could say

"...hey, SL has really undergone a lot of change in the last year, why can't things be like they were before?"

The fact of the matter is that SL has been undergoing constant change since its very inception. The change simply doesn't stop. The change occurs according to the marketing roadmap that no-doubt hangs somewhere on the boardroom wall in Linden Lab. And ever since Mark came in, I am sure that roadmap has been adjusted a bit.

A large part of the vision, as we know it, also has undergone a metamorphosis. If you've been around, or research archives of Philip Rosedale's, (founder and inaugural CEO of Linden Research/Lab,) previous interviews and discussions and public-speak, there was a definate vision there. Big dreams and plans. It was euphoric heaven for all residents present and future.

However, along came ageplaygate, casinogate, ginkogate, verificationgate and all the othergates that kind of caused Linden Lab to stop and take stock. I have a picture in my head of the wild deer roaming the forest who freezes solid and it's ear pop-up, changing direction looking for the threat as its eyes stare into the headlights. Ummm, sorry, I get funny mental pictures like that all the time.

Then there were all the whiner residents. You know, whinergate. All those whom have never heard the old adage 'be careful what you wish for, bonehead."

So uncle Phil gets it through his head that if he isn't careful, he'll drive Second Life into the ground, slam into the ice berg and capsize, shoot across the sky in a blazing fireball of glory... whatever.

So he brings-in some big-wig who hasn't run his company into the ground yet You know, like all the financial institutions we are witnessing right now, which wouldn't matter anyway - as it is known as "failing-up". Where the CEO runs the company into the ground then sits pretty on a golden parachute of a billion dollars while all the other shmucks lose everything they own in the process including their shirts and bras.

Uncle Mark is a different monster to uncle Phil with a whole different vision. Screw the residents, they are just typical unintelligent nurbs with short memory spans, (my words, not his) - so it's pretty easy to get away with a lot as the shrill crowd will be vocal for only a short while until the next feather-ruffling issue comes along.

No, his job is to remove the public voice with regard to second Life. The blog is all but shut down completely. Why? Because it's a public forum where anyone can rant and anyone else can see it. For example: the press. By shutting down the blog, your voice of rants or raves is effectively quieted. No one bothers going to the forums, especially the press.

This returns communication control to Linden Lab.

Thus, the only 'news-worthy' information that comes out of LL will be what is posted on the blog, (practically nothing,) press releases and public statements and interviews by Mark or Phil and the Public Relations department (Katt and the hired firm.)

That control allows LL to steer the perception of Second Life toward a more professional corporate image. Yes, yes, there are homebodies running around in wet latex and playing hide the primdick on multi-colored poseballs all over the place, yes, yes there are issues with intellectual property plagiarism, yes, yes there are real grid stability issues and viewer bugs coming out of our ears, yes, yes...

However, all the press will see in the usual places will be the positive message LL wants to be seen. I am not mocking Mark Kingdon or Linden Lab generally. This is what a 'professional' company is expected to do and it is the CEO's job to be sure a positive spin is put on anything and everything that comes out of the company. And kudos to Linden Lab for allowing the total freedom of choice and eccentric activities of the residents to continue, largely unabated.

When was the last time we've heard publicly from Robin? (I miss her, LOL). [me waves to Robin].

Even Katt's output seems highly restricted. We rarely hear from her as it is and she's in the public relations captain's seat, isn't she? [me waves to katt!] Torley has his own blog so hearing from him is a bit easier. However, in that it's pretty obvious he is speaking for himself and not Linden Lab. Thus his "viewpoints are not those of Linden Lan and does not indicate Linden Labs endorsement of the viewpoints expressed..." or however the old DVD/VHS disclaimer goes. [me waves to Torley]

I'm waving because I know they sneak-peek in here sometimes ~winks~

So back to the thing about 006.5 ...er, MI-5's... er... "M"'s interview: it's the same message he always is putting out. It needs to be put out there and so he will repeat it again and again until it sticks to the wall. Nothing wrong with that.

So, I said all that to say this:

That's why I am not so inclined to spend 20-minutes listening to his interview. if anything special or earth=shattering was said, I... we'll all see it in every news-blog anyway.

Mark Kingdon - CEO, Linden Labs’ SecondLife | The Social Media Bible: "In this 20 minute interview Mark shares his ideas about social media and how Second Life creates the ultimate ‘trusted network’ with more than 1.2 million log-ins every 30 days, and ‘user generated content’ with more than 2 billion user created items stored on the Linden Labs servers.  Mark further explains how Fortune 500 Companies such as IBM uses Second Life to hold weekly meetings and how CIGNA Insurance Company uses Second Life to provide health information and other educational materials to their customers."

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