Is there Status and Class in Second Life?

hehe, you're right, but I think you made one invalid assumption... that the majority do have those things and doesn't place importance on those things . IE "it's a minority view" not.

Yay!!!! Lynn is back!!!!
How was WoW?

It's all in your mind Rickard.

Of course theres a class structure in SL. Have you ever played any online game where there wasn't to some degree? In fact, have you ever been in a job, or a school, or a group or any other assemblage of humans where there wasn't? SL has war, SL has sex, SL has social heirarchy. If you're completely new and just stepped out of the welcome area, you are lower class, period. You have to go through a period of "earning your stripes" and becoming familiar with, and stable in the world before you will be "upper" or "middle" class. For some this happens faster than others. Humans are a gregarious animal and all gregarious animals have some form of group heirarchy, It is a nescessary part of the biology. This is as inseperable from human nature as violence, curiosity, sex, and all other core human traits.

I think the more important discussion is what defines the SL social heirarchy?

hmmm, I can see that Spider needs more time in the "conditioning" chamber. How many lights do you see, Spider?! How many lights?!

I'm Soylent Green!

I guess that puts me at the very bottom of the social order

Jess

Aww Jessica, you are my favorite newbie

I want to have a newbie one day.....do they come housebroken?

Housebroken Nope, but I can rez a cube! *laughs*

I feel there is status on the forums and in world.
But there is no class on the forums.

If you can rez a cube, I don't think you're a newbie any more. Unfortunately, your ability to rez a cube means you're no longer elegable to be rated positively for building.

Would be funny if it weren't true.

and also...

PHAHAHAHAHA very funny because it is true

How right you are.

i tend to think there are reputations that people acquire over time, based on their actions and contributions to the game. If someone looks at somethin cool an sees someone's name attached to it, then gets somethin else neat an sees the same name attached to it, that person often naturally assumes the person whos name they keep seein knows what the heck they're doing.

Same for the forums, often times people don't directly note names but over time you begin to follow people's chains of thought and give them more, or less, respect, based on their actions and opinions. Theres people i've never met in game that i have enormous respect for, just because of how they have handled difficult situations here in the forums etc.

I don't think money has a big part to do with things, other than generally if you buy a few things made by someone you probably get a lil respect for that person's skill/devotion to makin cool stuff

You know Siobhan, I never realized until recently how witty you are I really enjoy your posts.

I would have to say yes there is a definate class system in SL.

From my perspective (granted a limited one)
Everyone says get a job, learn a skill, etc...
I *will not* be an escort, I tried the dancer routine and wasn't exactly happy doing that, I am doing some script work for different people, but it's difficult because there are scripters out there that are way better because they have been doing it much longer.

Getting a job. Well, thats a lot harder said than done.

I am still fairly new to SL.

If I want to get a job I am entering into a market with
People who have 15 years of experience as a graphic artist
People who have been scripting and using LSL ever since beta
People who have been using the build tools ever since beta
Professional Programmers
Professional Graphic Artists
Professional 3D Artists
People who have all kinds of development experience in Real Life.

I think many of us newer people in SL are very hesitant to try and enter into a market like that because we don't have the REAL LIFE skills using SL's tools, or photoshop, or poser that are necessary to compete in that market. Thats nothing against the people that do have those skills, it's just overwhelming to someone who wants to jump in and try it.

That creates sort of a class system, I think, again, in my limited experience and from my limited experience in SL, a barrier between old players and new players.

Old players are saying, get a job, build a skill.

New Players are resentful of that outlook because.... we feel like we can't compete in an already existing market. Which creates sort of an oil and water mix.

Just my two cents..er... lindens.

Why thank you, good sir. Most of my 'wit' such as it is, though is just plain old sarcasm. Maybe you've been hanging round to many brits

While I do agree that certain parts of the market are saturated or over saturated there are still things you can do. First of all find something you enjoy doing and I'll guarantee that you'll derive an income from it. Try and find that niche market that hasn't been saturated or think of something that hasn't been done yet.

Yes there are people who have come into the game with immence backgrounds in scripting and graphic design....and then there are those of us that learn the best we can and do what we can. I'll hire you if you want to be my semi newbie... all you have to do is follow me around and pretend I'm a god

I can understand people feeling that way. I've personally never viewed SL as any kind of competition, and it seems the vast majority of people who've been around a while don't either. It's one of the things I love most about SL. People are incredibly helpful and enthusiastic about sharing tips and tricks and helping those that want to learn. We all just kind of cheer each other on, and I've really loved watching people develop their skill and start to really shine. Now that the world is so much bigger there's no doubt that it's a bit more difficult for people just starting to establish a name for themselves, but it also seems that it doesn't take people long to gain enthusiastic supporters for their endeavors. I think if people start to develop skills in graphics, animation or socializing, and they do it because they enjoy it rather than out of a desire to compete, that the rest will come in time. Look at SL as a giant sandbox where we all play together mixed with a big art and gadget expo where we all get to show off to one another and share knowledge, and you'll enjoy it a lot more than if you look at it like a competition

OMG You're brilliant!



I thought, sarcastically, okay... I like talking to people and meeting new people... let me try and find a job doing that, LOL, yeah right.

Then I thought about it for a minute, I really could do that.

So, I am going to start marketing and doing research for new ideas.
If you have a new idea that you want to try in second life, and are busy trying to incorporate that new idea as a business and want to know how people in SL feel about that, I will go around and ask!

I won't lie about your business. But I will try and do these things:
1. Get the word out to people about it.
2. Let them know what I think about it and why I think it benifits the SL community
3. See what they think about the idea
4. Provide you with answers about the general reaction I get from others, comments they make, concerns they have, that way your product will be even better!

Do you think that would work?

Sure, it just sounds like work to me. I hate work! *rant*

Actually, that would be great for a really social, enthusiastic person. You could hold a few events, although I'm not sure of the Linden status on commercial events (I think they weren't allowing them?).

That could be really cool. Just be smart about it! Make sure the product you're promoting is actually a cool product, y'know?

Chip, I really like your response, and I try not to look at it like a competition. I really enjoy meeting new people and talking to them, and thats why I play SL. Well, that and other reasons that are more personal.

It's just seems to me the general attitude is, "Go into SL, and *DO SOMETHING*" The 'do something' is what is baffeling me, I am want to do something constructive that helps the SL community, something I have a growing fondness for. I am just not quite sure what that something is yet

Hey, quit trying to poach newbies.

I liked your idea and it sounds like you have a great attitude. Don't feel pressured to have to find your niche right away. Often times when people find it it's because they just kinda stumbled into it. One thing that I see opening up as a new service is people bringing merchants and event hosts together. It seems like a lot of event hosts are shy about soliciting merchants for donations of prizes or monetary support. Donating prizes to events could be a really great way for up and coming designers, builders, animators, and every other thing, to gain some exposure and get their names out there. The most important thing is just have fun. If I can ever be of help don't hesitate to ask, or just drop in to say hello

I will remind you that I offered you a job at 2k a week doing that very thing