Socially|Mundane

John Henry Holliday is my hero.

I am an information junkie and I feed off history. All kinds of history. My favorite historical period is the United Sates, circa 1880's. It's the time of the silver-mining town of Tombstone and the infamous "shoot-out" at the O.K. Corral. Well, in reality it happened in an empty lot behind the O.K. Corral, but you get the idea.

Wyatt and brothers Earp always were fascinating to me, but not as much so as Doctor of Dental Surgery John Henry "Doc" Holliday. I have studied him wherever I could, read his biography and all that stuff.

The man was cordial and overflowing in charismatic karma, but he also didn't take any shit from anyone. He was a southern man who went west into the dry air to help alleviate tuberculosis symptoms and because of this infliction, he may have had a death-wish. Because of of this, people were scared of him. Yet, his compelling charm caused everyone who's ever met him to report liking the man enormously.

I said all that to say all this, and there is no segue:

/me wonders just how common in the good ol' virtual world of Second Life this is...

I created a Second Life account online. After being in it three months, I met a male avatar (who knows what is on the other end?) and I have started a very kinky sex relationship with this person.

My husband found out I have an account. He doesn't know what I do, but he's not happy! I know this sounds stupid, but I enjoy what is being done to my avatar. I find that if I pleasure myself at the same time my avatar is having kinky sex, I get very satisfied.

[From Miss Lonelyhearts: Miss Lonelyhearts | Winnipeg Sun]

Unfortunately, whether it happens to be sensationalist or deeply-spun alarmist 'news' stories or even simple letters-to-the-editor or, in this case, letters to Dear (insert name here); Second Life always will get a sad-rap.

Yes, there is a lot of good news coming out of Second Life, too. Especially in the areas of education, science, healthcare and so on. Second Life is a stunning platform for art, including many striking, interactive art such as Immersiva, even the United States Military .

Unfortunately, people always are looking for, or pay closer attention to the loudest sensationalism because it's 'more interesting.' Especially if it's controversial. I suppose this is how our opinions on ethics and morality form.

/me stands with stoic expression.

Ask any man how hard it is to find a good barber. And once that barber is found, he will go that barber until death do they part. No, really. It's hard to find that good barber where you end-up on a first name basis and all you need do is sit in the chair and don't have to answer the obvious question that never needs be asked by them: "how do you want it?" I've been going to my same barber girl since 1992.

I find the same is true with 'news' media.

So much news is presented by junk 'journalism' that it's flat-out laughable, misleading, spun a certain way, completely unreliable and sometimes flat-out lies. News these days is completely unreliable.

It's easy enough to prove.

Then there are those few names you run across, read often and decide for yourself 'hey, this guy or gal is on the ball. Doesn't bullshit around, is a good writer and tells it like it is.

For me, Mitch Wagner has been that guy for as long as I can remember. It's just a bonus that he, like I am, is a Second Life enthusiast. Now, isn't that the right way to describe us all?

"Enthusiast".

Not "losers" or "bums" or "weirdoes" or any of the other condescending descriptions so many detractors of Second Life tend to lump us all into, especially a lot of the radical media and shamefully, the so-called 'mainstream' media as well.

Hey, Mitch, dammit...you don't write enough. I always look forward to your stuff, especially when you set people straight about SL. Oh, and by the way - get a new head-shot. This new one looks goofy. -winks at you-

As a journalist and Second Life enthusiast, I'm annoyed by irresponsible articles that take it for granted that the virtual world is dying, or already dead, or a failure. In fact, Second Life is healthy and growing -- I say this based on personal experience, and statements made by officials of Linden Lab, the company that created, develops and operates Second Life.

[From Rumors Of Second Life's Failure Are Just Lousy Journalism - Digital Life Blog - InformationWeek]

On second thought, that mug-shot is actually goofy in a "cool" way. I vote you keep it.

For the rest of you, if you haven't read Mitch's stuff on SL - try it.

You'll like it.