tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post5028274742214812241..comments2023-11-30T10:48:52.952-08:00Comments on Musings: Second LifeKen McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15876529036315470763noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-14021743191213160552012-08-09T06:46:25.384-07:002012-08-09T06:46:25.384-07:00Howdy, truly needed to say thanks to you for
the ...Howdy, truly needed to say thanks to you for <br />the blog posts on your site. My partner and I know that this is <br />not your most recent writing, but yet this seemed the best place to leave a comment.<br /><br />;)<br /><i>Also visit my web page</i> : <b><a href="http://tribesascendhackdownload.com/tribes-ascend-hack" rel="nofollow">continue reading</a></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-79178775215541307162010-02-06T12:10:01.324-08:002010-02-06T12:10:01.324-08:00My computer skills weren't quite up to the Sec...My computer skills weren't quite up to the Second Life. I wasn't able to get in until the end.<br /><br />Having said that, I do plan to learn how to do Second Life.<br /><br />Despite thinking that the name is a bit "Dim," I like the DimDim system. Have taken several courses that way facilitated by a lot of technical support from Greg.<br /><br />I think Ken has been teaching me as much about the technology as he has about Buddhism!sharonyogarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16935267772393837820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-90360357774819429162009-12-24T03:49:55.551-08:002009-12-24T03:49:55.551-08:00This conversation about the cost-benefit of variou...This conversation about the cost-benefit of various forms of interaction over the internet would probably be of interest to many more people. I'm delighted that my blog post has stimulated this conversation. I certainly don't feel that you've highjacked the blog, Margaret, but I do suggest that AI and you open this topic up on our ning site, where many more people will have an opportunity to weigh in with their thoughts and experiences. <br /><br />AI, in particular, a fuller description of your experience with your Zen teacher in Second Life would be most welcome. That you find the Second Life interface works better than Skype is most intriguing. <br /><br />As I work with many students through Skype, I'd like to hear more about this.<br /><br />KenKen McLeodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15876529036315470763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-67322163115688380592009-12-24T00:16:02.513-08:002009-12-24T00:16:02.513-08:00AI, that's not what I was saying. Or even seem...AI, that's not what I was saying. Or even seemed to be saying. I was asking you a question. And I agree everything costs. I'm interested in the cost-benefit analysis of SL as opposed to other available forms of Internet communication.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12509090717552254302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-60344408106312002712009-12-24T00:11:16.751-08:002009-12-24T00:11:16.751-08:00You seem to be saying that since SL doesn't re...You seem to be saying that since SL doesn't replicate the flesh and blood effects of a meeting (from mannerisms to someone's garlic breath), it isn't terribly useful.<br /><br />My primary teacher is over 2,000 miles away and I have regular koan practice with him. Skillful means includes using the tools we have to the best of our ability given the situation. <br /><br />I'm still afraid that I found it a bit hypocritical to complain on the Internet about the non-greenness of SL. Let's go back to writing letters (oh wait, that uses trees!). :-) Everything has its costs and, frankly, electronic communication is far less wasteful than many options when meeting in person is not available.Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04561666880371974930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-25234244284443302902009-12-24T00:03:52.420-08:002009-12-24T00:03:52.420-08:00AI, you're right. And yes, the Internet is (ca...AI, you're right. And yes, the Internet is (can be) very useful. But given that the Internet already uses more energy on a daily basis than the entire airline industry, why pile on all the additional energy use of Second Life? Is the additional benefit worth the additional cost?<br /><br />Anonymous, Second Life is NOT available to many. Only to places with high bandwidth and even then the viewer doesn't always work. Bandwidth (lack of) can also limit the availability of services, a friend told me of a 'meeting' he attended where avatars were asked to check their hair at the door or there wouldn't be enough bandwidth to include everyone in the gathering.<br /><br />AI, how does Second Life work in conveying the fine details of facial expression and involuntary body movements? I understand that you can only deliberately move an avatar, they don't have any of the twitches humans have. Have you tried Dimdim as an alternative to both Skype and SL?<br /><br />(Ken, I think I've hijacked your blog.)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12509090717552254302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-55803413585378401812009-12-23T09:24:29.228-08:002009-12-23T09:24:29.228-08:00Margaret, the same comments could exactly be said ...Margaret, the same comments could <b>exactly</b> be said about any use of the Internet, with its massive servers and electrical needs, yet I do not see people debating using the Internet to spread the Dharma in some form.<br /><br />Ken, I am sorry that I missed your "appearance" there. I'm part of the <a href="http://www.fivemountain.org/" rel="nofollow">Five Mountain Sangha</a> but have been a fan of your writings and podcast for a few years. We have a zendo on the Kannonji site off in a corner. We've been using SL recently instead of Skype or the phone for remote interviews and have experimented with it for koan work between teachers and students who are not local. Given the choice between voice only communication (or floating video heads) and SL, we've found that the limited embodiment of SL adds some extra dimension to things once you get used to using it. There are frustrations with it at times but it is a tool.Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04561666880371974930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-62404722028537779152009-12-20T16:30:49.789-08:002009-12-20T16:30:49.789-08:00The format is a little sci-fi to be sure, but some...The format is a little sci-fi to be sure, but some people may not otherwise have the chance to be “present” to a teacher or community in this way, let alone have Q&A en directe. So contact with a teacher may be rare and precious for them.<br /><br />The virtual world creates, as you say, another layer of separation, a veneer. And the esthetic of the avatars, opposed to the zendo, is rather distasteful, no? It would be nice if Adam could tweak the graphics so that we could all materialize as white clouds without distinguishing marks, and sit together lightly touching as one mind… <br /><br />That said, it is accessible to many and offers "presence" as much as other kinds of interaction, albeit with its own set of obstacles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-50803298241249662702009-12-20T00:31:15.703-08:002009-12-20T00:31:15.703-08:00There's a problem with Second Life which most ...There's a problem with Second Life which most of its fans ignore--the HUGE number of servers necessary just to keep it running. Vast amounts of energy, which means electricity, which means generators... There's a serious environmental impact to all those avatars and scenes and movements; and although you can buy a carbon offset for your avatar (in Linden dollars, of course)... is it really worth it? and is it really an ethical way to be teaching the Dharma? <br /><br />I would like to see this environmental issue debated, but any discussion about using Second Life usually just turns into Second-Life-is-the-way-of-the-future versus you're-an-antiquated-old-fogey-if-you-don't-like-Second-Life.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12509090717552254302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782199382259953578.post-19574979765625980352009-12-20T00:09:34.865-08:002009-12-20T00:09:34.865-08:00Deciding to teach in Second Life is a good risk to...Deciding to teach in Second Life is a good risk to take, It shows your innovative.<br /><br />-----------<br />Signature<br />-----------<br />http://virtuallife.onlinewebshop.net/free.htmlSL watchhttp://damnbenski.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com