Panda in a petri dish

As a college student myself, I find it kind of exciting that more institutions are reaching out to new technology and new "worlds" like SL in which to meet, and teach, and learn. I can't wait for the day when going to class means teleporting off to "English 216 Island" or something like that!
But on the whole issue of "researching" SL society, I think if they are guilty of anything it's maybe just being a little sloppy in how they state things and in this particular student's blog maybe being a little rough on Internet etiquette. If they had nefarious listening devices or scanners or something else that broke normal SL rules, I'd be ready to join the pitchfork brigade to run them out of SL, but they are doing what we all do - watching and learning, interacting some, figuring this place out.
Lots of us write blog entries elsewhere about what we see in SL. People like Cory Linden have written kind of long articles based on observing overall trends and behavior in SL. it's probably inevitable that somebody will write a book some day based on their Second Life. I think our public lives (first and second) are fair game for observation, analysis, and hopefully insight and education.

Lektor, It is a combination of a privacy issue and a heap of others. And, yes, the attitudes do bother me.

These students are studying an issue which I already have a degree in: Writing and Rhetoric. That is why I admire the academic intentions of the class, and find it absolutely amazing that there are still forward thinking professors out there. I hope that the students don't take this for granted, and understand that they are in college to learn, not to preach.

However, if all that the students wanted to do was abstract concepts about digital communication that they could easily explore through interaction, then they should just talk about joining SL and not actually join.

I was named and quoted out of context in a published website. Big difference.

Although, from my previous posts, you can see that I do find the concept interesting, but perhaps poorly excecuted.

Leckt, you got it right on the head. As I previously said, respect.



Satch, please note that I am just a silly, uninformed subject for universities to research, and as such, I am about to speak exclusively from my ass on this one. Linden Lab is bound by a privacy policy. While admittadly they most probably log every single chat character that occurs, they must conform to the privacy policy they have outlined. Please read this before you post pointless arguements.



Well, unfortunately, this happens to not be the case with all research students. So while you may "scrub" information, still, not all have.



But where does the line get drawn when, said socialogist begins to paraphrase and quote. Furthermore, he provides enough detail to either allow people to surmise its you, or infact tells people its you.

As for the tone of your post, Satch, you just demonstrated EXACTLY what prevalent attitude is irking so many individuals such as myself. I recommend you stay on your "closed to the public" island, and perhaps research each other as increasingly a rift will be created between all the SL User base (providing the true value to the SL community) and yourselves. Understand, while you are here to research the occupants of SL, many are here to enjoy, create, socialize and experience SL.

You speak of such a great service university research is doing in the way of advertising? I am not convinced of this arguement, as, the ends are not always a justfication to the means. Until these study papers draw more individuals than google advertisement hits, and referalls from players in world, I remain still unconvinced this arguement hold any weight.

Ok, serious response time...

I have mixed emotions about this newest endevour into SL. On the whole, I fully support and am thrilled at the thought of academic institutions getting some kind of utility out of SL. I sorta wish I was going to one of those places, let me tell ya, especially since they get half priced subscriptions once the class is over...

Anyway, back on topic, I feel that some discrete study of the residents at hand is perfectly fine. However, given that we are being used as subjects for observation, names definitly should not be used in this. In any scientific study I've witnessed or participated in, names have always been replaced with something a bit more vague. Sure, there is a difference between your real life name and your Second life name, but it isn't as removed as these researchers would like to believe. It's not like in many other games where you can just change your name on a whim. I'm Brian Livingston and will be as such for the rest of my time in Second Life, which is the way it should be.

As a whole, I support the right of institutions to set up shop in SL (although perhaps they'd be best off clustered in a specific sim, such as a college town sim?) and for research to take place. However, they need to remember that even though they are studying us over a computer, basic research protocols need to be followed or else they might start getting a less than welcome reception.

I disagree with the original quote.
I think people in SL *show* their true selves, without fear of judgement, not masking them.
They are free to be what they truly are, and a person can't judge them based on the mask they're given by real life.
Ie, you only know about me what I show you.

And hey, since when are you supposed to come to conclusions about your subject matter BEFORE studying it? :/

Sounds like upper-class undergrads in a situation that should have been designed better by the professor. All of the questions they ask in the blog -- and I mean all -- should've been discussed and settled before going inworld. In addition, a strictly-regimented behavioral code should've been agreed on, along with enforcement.

Nearly every college and university has some sort of human subjects studies advisory board, and careful policies and procedures that govern such studies -- for legal, ethical, and professional reasons. Any data-gathering exercise in Second Life falls under that schema. If you want to know what theirs is, go to their website -- the documents and organization should be there. It may help you understand the parameters they must function under, and give you an indication of whether they're staying within those parameters.

Understand also, however, that this is all relatively new to everyone, and mistakes and poor judgements will be made. So it is right and proper for you to complain if you disagree, but it is also necessary to show some tolerance. Such studies do have intrinsic value, if they are conducted well.

edited for clarity on one point.

"The Pitts"....yes, indeed. They are.

This is an incredibly interesting situation. I am rather stunned by the lack of sensitivity these kids and their grade school teacher have shown the community here. This is so typical of academics- they have their heads so far up their asses, they can't see what they're doing. It's particularly ironic in light of the recent Terra Nova posting.

I think it's great that residents are turning this situation upside-down, and I'm sorry to say it, but I'd love to see these academics crash and burn. Not because of what they were hoping to achieve, but how they've completley bungled it up. How will they handle it? Will their blog cover resident reaction? Will the truth be told?

Let's not give them a monopoly on this subject. Posting about here is great, but let's get Second Life's bloggers on the story.

Brilliant Zero

i just saw your post over at the blog. You've just earned a new reader

Sorry, have to link this if Zero Grace won't:

Researching the Researchers

Heh. Just read this. I like how the quote from me depict that I'm a typo-monger who's more interested in my Animation Override than in the conversation.

But just because we're in SL doesn't mean we're fair game to be studied or exposed in this manner. Just like in RL, we choose what to divulge about ourselves in SL. And having privacy in SL is possible. I didn't make any mistake as to say where I live, or my real life name. But just by saying there's a resident in SL named Lash with my text pasted there without permission, I feel like I've been outed.

Just wanted to say that. Adios.

Wow.. lot's of Pitts lurking in this thread. Wonder why they aren't posting?

There are many answers that must be questioned....They didn't start off well by not asking permission to post logs and some of the comments that were made in the blog pissed me off. I would bet they have no clue as to the average age of a second life citizen nor do they have a clue as to the amazingly diverse backgrounds we come from.

Where some of the people in Second Life are students I have personally met doctors, lawyers, people in politics, caregivers, homemakers, scientists, computer programers, artist.....Maybe they should research the enviornment before they try to research its inhabitants because they obviously ( by some of the blog postings ) have no clue what anyone here is about.

I think if some(or all) of the residents of SL are going to be part of a university study, then we should be warned. I'm using SL to relax and have fun, not be part of a study and have my movements analyzed (except by other forum posters - haha!).

My understanding was that any type of school using SL would be on their own sim, cordoned off from the rest of SL. Is LL aware of this study?

I know the university I work at is very strict about any sort of study that involves people, whether you are just interviewing them for study or testing.

A quote from the blog:

"I would have to say that the two really aren't THAT different. Sure SL-Gamers are real people and have real feelings, but I personally have no qualms in deceiving people simply to study them. Deception is necessary in many psychological and scientific studies, for if people know they're being studied than they will most certainly act differently."

All this for a digital communications class?

My my, Sheer-luck, I due believe that you're really going overboard when you could simply ask most of the residents here about participating, and also find out that they would gladly give you their time, answer your questions and also answer any or all polls/questionnaires you would like to offer.

That was before reading your blog entry.

Sorry Professor, but I think Gilligan has missed this class assignment by a mile, and now look, we're all shipwrecked on this island called Second Life.

Then again, you seem to be the expert already on digital communication. By the simple statement above, you've already deciphered, decided, calculated and also communicated to the entire SL community your superior capabilities of effective digital communication showing us your obnoxious attitude toward this 3d online community.

U ROX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! U GOT DA L33T!!!!!!!!!! LOLOLOLOLoooooooooOL.

Decipher that, por favour, in what is referred to as "internet sarcasm." If you're not sure of the meaning, I'm sure you can ask someone in Second Life to communicate the meaning to you.

Sweet irony. The communication students don't know how to communicate.

I hopped over and read the other site. What is so difficult about informed consent and permission to quote. Basic, respected, recognized professional rules for socio-types and journalists.

It's called respect for other people.

Surreal

what i find amusing is that the "Researchers" have now become a subject of a study itself.

i wouldn't be to threatened by a freshman class in digital communication. everyone should take all oppurtunities to mess with thier heads and give them something fun and ridiculous to write about. anyway, by the end of the year half of them will be addicted to av sex.

my only concern is did they pay market value for their land!?!

First, let me apologize that you were taken by surprise, and Panda, that your chat log was both edited and posted without your knowledge.

So here's what's happening.

There are currently 3 classes in SL. Each class has a unique name so you'll know when you run into one of the students. As part of the Campus: Second Life program, they have some land on a temporary basis to use as a 'headquarters' for the class to meet. SL gives these students a remarkable opportunity to be part of an amazing virtual experience, rather than just reading about it. However, it isn't our intention that the community be 'guinea pigs' for study, any more than you would be if an anthropologist or sociologist were asking you questions in real life. In either case you are free to participate in the conversation or not, as you choose.

Each class will be in SL for this semester only. They are:

The Pitt family, from the University of Pittsburgh. This is a Freshman class looking at ways that digital technology has affected the way people communicate.

The Walkabout family, from the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana. This course is part of the Speech Communication curriculum, and the class is learning about onlinel community.

The Fraggle family, from USC is a communications class studying MMOGs, and are are specifically focused on online gaming and gaming culture.

I've explained our policies on posting chat logs, and asked the professors to make sure all their students are familiar with the Community Standards.

I vote we kick the Professor and Gilligan OFF THE ISLAND!

(For those crippled in digital communications, that dear students is internet sarcasm.)

robin,
i find this reprehensible! i can accept that you would offer university groups free accounts but i will not tolerate that you have allowed them escape the tyranny of the barons.
IQUITE!@!@#@

Thanks for the post and details, Robin.

Here's my post from the blog... this is something that will have to evolve along with Second Life, I'm sure. Kind of exciting!

Let's not forget that SL is a private service people pay US$ for. It is run by a privately owned company that has set forth a Terms of Service; so you're entitled to those "freedoms of speech and self expressing" as noted above. Behavior IS covered in the Terms of Service; to play SL, you give up some of your freedom of speech. For example, hate speech is a big no-no; while I'll support the ACLU in RL to allow your right to act like an idiot, in SL, Linden Lab has no responsibility to do so.

Let's not forget, Phil Zimbardo's prison experiments from the 1970s were legal... but by no means ethical. He let his role as a psychologist supercede his role as an ethical human being and community member. He mistreated many college aged students. He went so far as to admit it. We're looking at a similar situation here, but even easier; the anonomity Second Life affords makes situations like this far too easy and a slippery slope.

Regards,

-FlipperPA

No apology necessary Robyn.. I'll pass it over to Lash

I would like to know if this land for University of Pittsburgh will be constantly allocated to universities. If so, I would kindly request to be able to return my land and purchase another 512 plot under the "land for the landless" program.

And about the concept that" SL gives these students a remarkable opportunity to be part of an amazing virtual experience, rather than just reading about it." - I would have agreed before reading the class's blog and seeing the ensuing behavior.

Have you read the blog yet Robyn? Just curious.

A thought I just had......

Is there a point where a group using the Secondlife: Campus program would have this privlidge revoked (the entire group) because of repeated TOS violations or a general lack of respect for the SL community?


edited for spelling and clarity

yeah... kids, grow up, get over yourselves, and leave that kind of professor-pleasing garbage behind. that may fly in school but that's the kind of shit that gets you punched in the mouth in the "real world". you know, that place you're supposedly heading. just remember, in ten years you'll look back on yourselves now and wonder how you were such an insufferable asshole. get a head start on your peers and stop now.