Second Life Forums Archive - SL as a Banana Republic

Sergeant Benton

European Perspective

Join date: 30 May 2005

Posts: 46

06-15-2006 08:26

I was wondering how to describe the nature of operating in SL to some friends, and made the following observation.

Living is SL is like living in a 1970's Banana Republic.

Reasons are as follows:

The weather is generally pretty good
The currency is often unstable, and held up by foreign aid (US$), leading to periods of inflation so local currecy savings get wiped out
The Government is shall we say somewhat lacking in transparency
You can get dragged off in the night if some agent of the Government takes a dislike to your name
There is a Constitution and Rules of behaviour, but this is often unenforced
There is a potential for large profits, but they require big risks and often fail
Many people are not quite what they seem
There's a fair bit of immorality about
People come here to escape restrictions in other places
Periodically raided by terrorist gangs who disappear back into the hills

Now thats not to detract from the SL experience, which I love deeply. But this isn't a safe town in the midwest. Any frontier environment tends to be an exciting place in both good an bad ways, and SL proves the rule that the Cyber frontier is socially the same as any other.

Doc Nielsen

Fallen...

Join date: 13 Apr 2005

Posts: 1,059

06-15-2006 08:36

Interesting perspective.

One point tha needs clearing up, in most '70s banana republics the 'government' was marvelously open to bribes

Discuss...

_____________________

All very well for people to have a sig that exhorts you to 'be the change' - I wonder if it's ever occurred to them that they might be something that needs changing...?

Psyra Extraordinaire

Corra Nacunda Chieftain

Join date: 24 Jul 2004

Posts: 1,533

06-15-2006 08:41

_____________________

E-Mail Psyra at psyralbakor_at_yahoo_dot_com, Visit my Webpage at www.psyra.ca

Visit me in-world at the Avaria sims, in Grendel's Children! ^^

Travis Lambert

White dog, red collar

Join date: 3 Jun 2004

Posts: 2,819

06-15-2006 09:09

hehe - I've made the joke before with new residents interested in starting their own buisness here:

"Set your expectations like you're doing buisness in Haiti, and you'll be just fine"

_____________________

------------------
The Shelter

The Shelter is a non-profit recreation center for new residents, and supporters of new residents. Our goal is to provide a positive & supportive social environment for those looking for one in our overwhelming world.

Cow Hand

Registered User

Join date: 20 Feb 2006

Posts: 292

06-15-2006 09:52

From: Sergeant Benton

I was wondering how to describe the nature of operating in SL to some friends, and made the following observation.

Living is SL is like living in a 1970's Banana Republic.

Reasons are as follows:

The weather is generally pretty good
The currency is often unstable, and held up by foreign aid (US$), leading to periods of inflation so local currecy savings get wiped out
The Government is shall we say somewhat lacking in transparency
You can get dragged off in the night if some agent of the Government takes a dislike to your name
There is a Constitution and Rules of behaviour, but this is often unenforced
There is a potential for large profits, but they require big risks and often fail
Many people are not quite what they seem
There's a fair bit of immorality about
People come here to escape restrictions in other places
Periodically raided by terrorist gangs who disappear back into the hills

Now thats not to detract from the SL experience, which I love deeply. But this isn't a safe town in the midwest. Any frontier environment tends to be an exciting place in both good an bad ways, and SL proves the rule that the Cyber frontier is socially the same as any other.

Tropico!! Anyone ever play it? It rocked.

Sergeant Benton

European Perspective

Join date: 30 May 2005

Posts: 46

Junta

06-15-2006 10:10

Actually I had thought of making reference to an old 1980 board game called "Junta", but the one Banana Republic thing we dont seem to suffer from in SL is dirty tricks power plays between the generals and president with the poor people stuck in the middle.

At least I dont think we do...

Psyra Extraordinaire

Corra Nacunda Chieftain

Join date: 24 Jul 2004

Posts: 1,533

06-15-2006 10:12

From: Cow Hand

Tropico!! Anyone ever play it? It rocked.

Beat ya to it - See above.

_____________________

E-Mail Psyra at psyralbakor_at_yahoo_dot_com, Visit my Webpage at www.psyra.ca

Visit me in-world at the Avaria sims, in Grendel's Children! ^^

Cow Hand

Registered User

Join date: 20 Feb 2006

Posts: 292

06-15-2006 10:28

From: Psyra Extraordinaire

Beat ya to it - See above.

Dang!!! You must have slipped that in as I was typing mine up. LOLZ!

Gabe Lippmann

"Phone's ringing, Dude."

Join date: 14 Jun 2004

Posts: 4,219

06-15-2006 10:52

When is the assassination planned to happen?

_____________________

go to Nocturnal Threads

Desmond Shang

Guvnah of Caledon

Join date: 14 Mar 2005

Posts: 5,250

06-15-2006 14:12

From: Sergeant Benton

Now thats not to detract from the SL experience, which I love deeply. But this isn't a safe town in the midwest. Any frontier environment tends to be an exciting place in both good an bad ways, and SL proves the rule that the Cyber frontier is socially the same as any other.

A safe town in the midwest?

I daresay, people from safe towns in the midwest are STRONGLY represented in Second Life... hence the strong desire for something different perhaps?

_____________________

Steampunk Victorian, Well-Mannered Caledon!

Robert Shortbread

Pilgrim

Join date: 12 Jul 2005

Posts: 1

06-15-2006 14:29

Let's not forget the class divisions. You have the SL land owners and builders (expats) making money off the unwashed masses of newbies and tourists.

Barnesworth Anubis

Is about to cry!

Join date: 21 Jun 2004

Posts: 921

06-15-2006 14:30

From: Desmond Shang

A safe town in the midwest?

I daresay, people from safe towns in the midwest are STRONGLY represented in Second Life... hence the strong desire for something different perhaps?

Really? Maybe its just the people that I run with, but mostly it seems like people are from east/west coast. Rare that i meet anyone from some place like Ohio or Iowa or something like that. Then again its rare I meet people at all im such a hermit.

Although I do like to acuse people of being frumpy housewifes in Kansas with nothing better to do. Then again im a frumpy little man in eastern colorado with nothing better to do haaaaah.

_____________________

Bright Center of the Universe,
Barnesworth Anubis
www.barnesworthanubis.com

Barnesworth Anubis

Is about to cry!

Join date: 21 Jun 2004

Posts: 921

06-15-2006 14:32

From: Robert Shortbread

Let's not forget the class divisions. You have the SL land owners and builders (expats) making money off the unwashed masses of newbies and tourists.

I find that statement ironic considering the 'unwashed masses' seem to be the only ones who have bathrooms in SL....

_____________________

Bright Center of the Universe,
Barnesworth Anubis
www.barnesworthanubis.com

Doc Nielsen

Fallen...

Join date: 13 Apr 2005

Posts: 1,059

06-16-2006 04:23

From: Sergeant Benton

Actually I had thought of making reference to an old 1980 board game called "Junta", but the one Banana Republic thing we dont seem to suffer from in SL is dirty tricks power plays between the generals and president with the poor people stuck in the middle.

At least I dont think we do...

Try ACS v LL

_____________________

All very well for people to have a sig that exhorts you to 'be the change' - I wonder if it's ever occurred to them that they might be something that needs changing...?

Laukosargas Svarog

Angel ?

Join date: 18 Aug 2004

Posts: 1,304

06-16-2006 05:57

From: Barnesworth Anubis

I find that statement ironic considering the 'unwashed masses' seem to be the only ones who have bathrooms in SL....

ROTFL !

surely has to be quote of the month!

_____________________

Geometry is music frozen...

Surreal Farber

Cat Herder

Join date: 5 Feb 2004

Posts: 2,059

06-16-2006 06:22

I guess private islands are the SL compound or enclave where we only venture out in armed convoys to sample the local sleeze.

_____________________

Surreal

Phobos 3d Design - putting the hot in psychotic since 2004

Come see our whole line of clothing, animations and accessories in Chaos (37, 198, 43)

Surreal Farber

Cat Herder

Join date: 5 Feb 2004

Posts: 2,059

06-16-2006 06:23

Just curious... anyone here lived in a tropical, 3rd world country? Belize for me. Very, very eye-opening... especially side trips into Guatamala.

I wonder what the residents from the tropics think of SL. I have a couple of friends in world from Belize. I should ask them.

_____________________

Surreal

Phobos 3d Design - putting the hot in psychotic since 2004

Come see our whole line of clothing, animations and accessories in Chaos (37, 198, 43)

Herbert Ludwig

from Germany

Join date: 9 Apr 2006

Posts: 16

US-controlled

06-17-2006 08:00

as Banana Republics usually are and always have been.

This is a fact for SL also.

/140/d5/113894/1.html

lou Granville

registered pony

Join date: 11 Apr 2006

Posts: 69

06-17-2006 09:14

they say here, belgium, it is also a banana republic, but it's a joke because we don't have bananas.

Crissaegrim Clutterbuck

Dancing Martian Warlord

Join date: 9 Apr 2006

Posts: 277

06-17-2006 15:38

From: Sergeant Benton

Living is SL is like living in a 1970's Banana Republic.

A quick observation, appropos of an earlier thread on these forums: If the word "skinhead" is unacceptable in the SL lexicon, why is the phrase "banana republic" acceptable? To millions, that phrase is a hateful symbol of political repression and cultural arrogance on the part of one group of nations toward another....

No, I am not arguing that "banana republic" should actually be banned - I'm arguing that such a policy would be silly. I am also arguing for international consistency in SL.

Renee Ingmann

Registered User

Join date: 18 Oct 2005

Posts: 37

06-18-2006 22:20

HA I see no Linden has responded yet LMAO So much for an open discussion.

Come on Guys, the powers that be at Linden Labs don't want to discuss anything with us... I mean GEES, what would be the point. If we leave, they will get other people in to take our place and then there is always the Big Wheelers (who shall remain nameless, but we all know who they are).

Linden Labs CLAIMS this is OUR world and that we create it and build it andchange it, but we may creat and build and change, but where is the damn input.....

Thanks for the response LL

You guys are OH SO professional..

Dr Drebin

Registered User

Join date: 19 Mar 2006

Posts: 66

07-04-2006 13:51

From: Barnesworth Anubis

... it seems like people are from east/west coast. Rare that i meet anyone from some place like Ohio or Iowa or something like that.

LL commissioned a survey and it was discovered that 87% of the SL female avatars were middle-aged, over-weight truck drivers named "Butch" with hairy butt-cracks and residents of Ohio or Iowa. LL covered up the poll results for some reason.

True story

Maklin Deckard

Disillusioned

Join date: 9 Apr 2005

Posts: 459

07-05-2006 13:14

From: Sergeant Benton

Actually I had thought of making reference to an old 1980 board game called "Junta", but the one Banana Republic thing we dont seem to suffer from in SL is dirty tricks power plays between the generals and president with the poor people stuck in the middle.

At least I dont think we do...

Ah, the memories of Junta....starting the coup with the ceremonial shelling of the palace by the admiral and his gunboat.

great game that was, still have my copy on the shelf at home. That was by West End Games, the folks that made Paranoia RPG (and I would love to find an IntSec outfit ingame).

SL as a Banana Republic
Sergeant Benton European Perspective Join date: 30 May 2005 Posts: 46	06-15-2006 08:26 I was wondering how to describe the nature of operating in SL to some friends, and made the following observation. Living is SL is like living in a 1970's Banana Republic. Reasons are as follows: The weather is generally pretty good The currency is often unstable, and held up by foreign aid (US$), leading to periods of inflation so local currecy savings get wiped out The Government is shall we say somewhat lacking in transparency You can get dragged off in the night if some agent of the Government takes a dislike to your name There is a Constitution and Rules of behaviour, but this is often unenforced There is a potential for large profits, but they require big risks and often fail Many people are not quite what they seem There's a fair bit of immorality about People come here to escape restrictions in other places Periodically raided by terrorist gangs who disappear back into the hills Now thats not to detract from the SL experience, which I love deeply. But this isn't a safe town in the midwest. Any frontier environment tends to be an exciting place in both good an bad ways, and SL proves the rule that the Cyber frontier is socially the same as any other.
Doc Nielsen Fallen... Join date: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 1,059	06-15-2006 08:36 Interesting perspective. One point tha needs clearing up, in most '70s banana republics the 'government' was marvelously open to bribes Discuss... _____________________ All very well for people to have a sig that exhorts you to 'be the change' - I wonder if it's ever occurred to them that they might be something that needs changing...?
Psyra Extraordinaire Corra Nacunda Chieftain Join date: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 1,533	06-15-2006 08:41 _____________________ E-Mail Psyra at psyralbakor_at_yahoo_dot_com, Visit my Webpage at www.psyra.ca Visit me in-world at the Avaria sims, in Grendel's Children! ^^
Travis Lambert White dog, red collar Join date: 3 Jun 2004 Posts: 2,819	06-15-2006 09:09 hehe - I've made the joke before with new residents interested in starting their own buisness here: "Set your expectations like you're doing buisness in Haiti, and you'll be just fine" _____________________ ------------------ The Shelter The Shelter is a non-profit recreation center for new residents, and supporters of new residents. Our goal is to provide a positive & supportive social environment for those looking for one in our overwhelming world.
Cow Hand Registered User Join date: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 292	06-15-2006 09:52 From: Sergeant Benton I was wondering how to describe the nature of operating in SL to some friends, and made the following observation. Living is SL is like living in a 1970's Banana Republic. Reasons are as follows: The weather is generally pretty good The currency is often unstable, and held up by foreign aid (US$), leading to periods of inflation so local currecy savings get wiped out The Government is shall we say somewhat lacking in transparency You can get dragged off in the night if some agent of the Government takes a dislike to your name There is a Constitution and Rules of behaviour, but this is often unenforced There is a potential for large profits, but they require big risks and often fail Many people are not quite what they seem There's a fair bit of immorality about People come here to escape restrictions in other places Periodically raided by terrorist gangs who disappear back into the hills Now thats not to detract from the SL experience, which I love deeply. But this isn't a safe town in the midwest. Any frontier environment tends to be an exciting place in both good an bad ways, and SL proves the rule that the Cyber frontier is socially the same as any other. Tropico!! Anyone ever play it? It rocked.
Sergeant Benton European Perspective Join date: 30 May 2005 Posts: 46	Junta 06-15-2006 10:10 Actually I had thought of making reference to an old 1980 board game called "Junta", but the one Banana Republic thing we dont seem to suffer from in SL is dirty tricks power plays between the generals and president with the poor people stuck in the middle. At least I dont think we do...
Psyra Extraordinaire Corra Nacunda Chieftain Join date: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 1,533	06-15-2006 10:12 From: Cow Hand Tropico!! Anyone ever play it? It rocked. Beat ya to it - See above. _____________________ E-Mail Psyra at psyralbakor_at_yahoo_dot_com, Visit my Webpage at www.psyra.ca Visit me in-world at the Avaria sims, in Grendel's Children! ^^
Cow Hand Registered User Join date: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 292	06-15-2006 10:28 From: Psyra Extraordinaire Beat ya to it - See above. Dang!!! You must have slipped that in as I was typing mine up. LOLZ!
Gabe Lippmann "Phone's ringing, Dude." Join date: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 4,219	06-15-2006 10:52 When is the assassination planned to happen? _____________________ go to Nocturnal Threads
Desmond Shang Guvnah of Caledon Join date: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 5,250	06-15-2006 14:12 From: Sergeant Benton Now thats not to detract from the SL experience, which I love deeply. But this isn't a safe town in the midwest. Any frontier environment tends to be an exciting place in both good an bad ways, and SL proves the rule that the Cyber frontier is socially the same as any other. A safe town in the midwest? I daresay, people from safe towns in the midwest are STRONGLY represented in Second Life... hence the strong desire for something different perhaps? _____________________ Steampunk Victorian, Well-Mannered Caledon!
Robert Shortbread Pilgrim Join date: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1	06-15-2006 14:29 Let's not forget the class divisions. You have the SL land owners and builders (expats) making money off the unwashed masses of newbies and tourists.
Barnesworth Anubis Is about to cry! Join date: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 921	06-15-2006 14:30 From: Desmond Shang A safe town in the midwest? I daresay, people from safe towns in the midwest are STRONGLY represented in Second Life... hence the strong desire for something different perhaps? Really? Maybe its just the people that I run with, but mostly it seems like people are from east/west coast. Rare that i meet anyone from some place like Ohio or Iowa or something like that. Then again its rare I meet people at all im such a hermit. Although I do like to acuse people of being frumpy housewifes in Kansas with nothing better to do. Then again im a frumpy little man in eastern colorado with nothing better to do haaaaah. _____________________ Bright Center of the Universe, Barnesworth Anubis www.barnesworthanubis.com
Barnesworth Anubis Is about to cry! Join date: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 921	06-15-2006 14:32 From: Robert Shortbread Let's not forget the class divisions. You have the SL land owners and builders (expats) making money off the unwashed masses of newbies and tourists. I find that statement ironic considering the 'unwashed masses' seem to be the only ones who have bathrooms in SL.... _____________________ Bright Center of the Universe, Barnesworth Anubis www.barnesworthanubis.com
Doc Nielsen Fallen... Join date: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 1,059	06-16-2006 04:23 From: Sergeant Benton Actually I had thought of making reference to an old 1980 board game called "Junta", but the one Banana Republic thing we dont seem to suffer from in SL is dirty tricks power plays between the generals and president with the poor people stuck in the middle. At least I dont think we do... Try ACS v LL _____________________ All very well for people to have a sig that exhorts you to 'be the change' - I wonder if it's ever occurred to them that they might be something that needs changing...?
Laukosargas Svarog Angel ? Join date: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 1,304	06-16-2006 05:57 From: Barnesworth Anubis I find that statement ironic considering the 'unwashed masses' seem to be the only ones who have bathrooms in SL.... ROTFL ! surely has to be quote of the month! _____________________ *Geometry is music frozen...*
Surreal Farber Cat Herder Join date: 5 Feb 2004 Posts: 2,059	06-16-2006 06:22 I guess private islands are the SL compound or enclave where we only venture out in armed convoys to sample the local sleeze. _____________________ Surreal Phobos 3d Design - putting the hot in psychotic since 2004 Come see our whole line of clothing, animations and accessories in Chaos (37, 198, 43)
Surreal Farber Cat Herder Join date: 5 Feb 2004 Posts: 2,059	06-16-2006 06:23 Just curious... anyone here lived in a tropical, 3rd world country? Belize for me. Very, very eye-opening... especially side trips into Guatamala. I wonder what the residents from the tropics think of SL. I have a couple of friends in world from Belize. I should ask them. _____________________ Surreal Phobos 3d Design - putting the hot in psychotic since 2004 Come see our whole line of clothing, animations and accessories in Chaos (37, 198, 43)
Herbert Ludwig from Germany Join date: 9 Apr 2006 Posts: 16	US-controlled 06-17-2006 08:00 as Banana Republics usually are and always have been. This is a fact for SL also. /140/d5/113894/1.html
lou Granville registered pony Join date: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 69	06-17-2006 09:14 they say here, belgium, it is also a banana republic, but it's a joke because we don't have bananas.
Crissaegrim Clutterbuck Dancing Martian Warlord Join date: 9 Apr 2006 Posts: 277	06-17-2006 15:38 From: Sergeant Benton Living is SL is like living in a 1970's Banana Republic. A quick observation, appropos of an earlier thread on these forums: If the word "skinhead" is unacceptable in the SL lexicon, why is the phrase "banana republic" acceptable? To millions, that phrase is a hateful symbol of political repression and cultural arrogance on the part of one group of nations toward another.... No, I am not arguing that "banana republic" should actually be banned - I'm arguing that such a policy would be silly. I am also arguing for international consistency in SL.
Renee Ingmann Registered User Join date: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 37	06-18-2006 22:20 HA I see no Linden has responded yet LMAO So much for an open discussion. Come on Guys, the powers that be at Linden Labs don't want to discuss anything with us... I mean GEES, what would be the point. If we leave, they will get other people in to take our place and then there is always the Big Wheelers (who shall remain nameless, but we all know who they are). Linden Labs CLAIMS this is OUR world and that we create it and build it andchange it, but we may creat and build and change, but where is the damn input..... Thanks for the response LL You guys are OH SO professional..
Dr Drebin Registered User Join date: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 66	07-04-2006 13:51 From: Barnesworth Anubis ... it seems like people are from east/west coast. Rare that i meet anyone from some place like Ohio or Iowa or something like that. LL commissioned a survey and it was discovered that 87% of the SL female avatars were middle-aged, over-weight truck drivers named "Butch" with hairy butt-cracks and residents of Ohio or Iowa. LL covered up the poll results for some reason. True story
Maklin Deckard Disillusioned Join date: 9 Apr 2005 Posts: 459	07-05-2006 13:14 From: Sergeant Benton Actually I had thought of making reference to an old 1980 board game called "Junta", but the one Banana Republic thing we dont seem to suffer from in SL is dirty tricks power plays between the generals and president with the poor people stuck in the middle. At least I dont think we do... Ah, the memories of Junta....starting the coup with the ceremonial shelling of the palace by the admiral and his gunboat. great game that was, still have my copy on the shelf at home. That was by West End Games, the folks that made Paranoia RPG (and I would love to find an IntSec outfit ingame).

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SL as a Banana Republic