A Caste System for New Residents
Posted by Anthropologist L1nd3n on 1 Apr 2009 8:02:15 AM
Anthropologist L1nd3n here, saying hello to the residents for the first time! I have some great news for all of you.
======================
Background.
Due to the sensitive nature of my work, the strict code of ethics in my field and strict data privacy protocols, my existence has been kept a secret for the duration of "Phase One" of the Main Grid Social Anthropology Project.
This long and dedicated effort was enhanced by some truly groundbreaking technology developed by one of the in~house Studios, allowing me to conduct my work with cultural sensitivity and the proper academic distance.
Two of these advanced items, the Large Invisiprim and the Potted Plant Avatar, enabled detailed study of the intimate activities of residents without causing them dismay or concern. Using these tools as a field operative in the real world would use a duck blind, I have spent the entirety of Phase One (since I was hired about mid March, actually) collecting data.
And believe me, what I have seen was eye opening indeed.
======================
Focus of Studies.
As all of you may know, there are some Big Questions about our future, and the new online culture forming before our very eyes.
Some of these big questions include:
* "How will people interact in the digital age?"
* "What new social structures will form?"
* "In what new ways will people express art, new ideas, and love?"
* And of course, "How do we cash in big from all of this?"
For no particular reason, I have chosen to focus on these questions in order from last to first.
======================
Observations.
Well, let me tell you, it wasn't easy gathering this data. Resident interaction is very hard to capture without influencing it. It was very difficult to find skyboxes with security orbs shut off, for instance.
Also, some residents are *very* sensitive and have remarkable abilities to note even the slightest change in their environment. A few times the Potted Plant Avatar disguise was detected, skewing results dramatically. It is a good thing those chatlogs will never see the light of day.
Notably, however, there was one main theme throughout all of my cultural studies: "Appropriate Environments."
Allow me to provide an example.
Say a businessman wishes to conduct an online training session. This businessman completes all stages of the activity, including a land purchase, educator contract agreements, construction of classroom facilities and so forth.
Only to find that his august educational facility is next door to the Babyfur Phox Den and the Funkadelic Tripout Rotating Texture Shop.
In this situation, just about everyone suffers. Well, okay, not the texture shop, they weren't making a dime anyway. But you can kinda see the vibe happening here.
======================
Cultural Solutions.
We learn nothing if we cannot learn from our own history. As such, I sought solutions from human history's deep and storied past.
How did people historically cope in such environments? What successful systems were in place for thousands of years in just about every culture?
After detailed study and formulation, peer collaboration and review, I came up with the following on Saturday with my roommate Stan.
Residents will be able to participate in a caste system, as follows:
1. Important Business People
2. Academia Types
3. Tech Geeks
4. Furs
5. Naughties
User types were ranked against a hypothetical mainstream test subject couple, codenamed "Ozzie and Harriet."
Intensive simulations were run to come up with their likely reaction to various online interaction scenarios, and how likely it was that they might be open to marketing. Well, okay funding was limited and I mainly bounced these ideas off Stan, but the grant is still pending. We are sure further studies will support our preconceptions; they always do anyway.
Thus, Important Business People ranked first. This group, by virtue of Bringing Monehs to Teh Internets, will be able to enjoy expanded powers. Such as kicking and banning anybody disrupting their meetings regionwide, or the ability to remove any object. This will clear the pathway to overall growth and wealth, benefiting all. Well, okay, maybe just anyone that matters.
These freedoms come with a cost, however. These Important Businesspeople must conform to a specific dress and appearance code. Some small variances might be considered 'hip', such as a tiny ankle tattoo, but that's where it ends.
Next come the Academic Types. We've all heard them: the pundits that teach us everything we need to know, or think, about The Metaverse at large. They defer only to the Important Business People, and don't even have to make eye contact with the rest.
Their main power is the ability to stop every other caste from speaking while they lay out their ideas, and haughtily dismiss them afterward.
However, if you are an Academic Type, you had better be used to appearing tweedy. It is imperative that all castes can distinguish you instantly from an Important Business Person or a Tech Geek.
Tech Geeks rank next, and are a more focused version of the Academic Type. Their special ability is to be indisputably right all the time on any subject having to do with computers, and the ability to dig through your data, change your interfaces, force upgrades, make you buy a new computer and so forth with impunity.
Needless to say there is no written dress code for a tech geek; it is nearly impossible not to spot one immediately anyhow.
Furs. There really isn't anything special about being a fur, but we just thought they should be given a spot simply because they are easily identified.
Naughties. This includes just about anyone that the Ozzie and Harriet simulation would consider deviant.* It was imperative to separate this group due to its ability to potentially alarm the Important Business People or the Academic Types. All must dress in silks, latex or even less, all the time so they can be identified easily.
*Note that this was at the 'backyard barbeque' level of the simulation, not including what Ozzie or Harriet might do during off hours. We are trying to get grant money to study that in a later phase.
So that's all, folks ~ let us know what you think before 2 April 09 so we can fine tune the system to resident needs!
See me, Anthropologist, in the new Academic Type avatar at my official office hours ~ and you just might see my roommate Stan as a Fur!
Posted by Anthropologist L1nd3n on 1 Apr 2009 8:02:15 AM
Anthropologist L1nd3n here, saying hello to the residents for the first time! I have some great news for all of you.
======================
Background.
Due to the sensitive nature of my work, the strict code of ethics in my field and strict data privacy protocols, my existence has been kept a secret for the duration of "Phase One" of the Main Grid Social Anthropology Project.
This long and dedicated effort was enhanced by some truly groundbreaking technology developed by one of the in~house Studios, allowing me to conduct my work with cultural sensitivity and the proper academic distance.
Two of these advanced items, the Large Invisiprim and the Potted Plant Avatar, enabled detailed study of the intimate activities of residents without causing them dismay or concern. Using these tools as a field operative in the real world would use a duck blind, I have spent the entirety of Phase One (since I was hired about mid March, actually) collecting data.
And believe me, what I have seen was eye opening indeed.
======================
Focus of Studies.
As all of you may know, there are some Big Questions about our future, and the new online culture forming before our very eyes.
Some of these big questions include:
* "How will people interact in the digital age?"
* "What new social structures will form?"
* "In what new ways will people express art, new ideas, and love?"
* And of course, "How do we cash in big from all of this?"
For no particular reason, I have chosen to focus on these questions in order from last to first.
======================
Observations.
Well, let me tell you, it wasn't easy gathering this data. Resident interaction is very hard to capture without influencing it. It was very difficult to find skyboxes with security orbs shut off, for instance.
Also, some residents are *very* sensitive and have remarkable abilities to note even the slightest change in their environment. A few times the Potted Plant Avatar disguise was detected, skewing results dramatically. It is a good thing those chatlogs will never see the light of day.
Notably, however, there was one main theme throughout all of my cultural studies: "Appropriate Environments."
Allow me to provide an example.
Say a businessman wishes to conduct an online training session. This businessman completes all stages of the activity, including a land purchase, educator contract agreements, construction of classroom facilities and so forth.
Only to find that his august educational facility is next door to the Babyfur Phox Den and the Funkadelic Tripout Rotating Texture Shop.
In this situation, just about everyone suffers. Well, okay, not the texture shop, they weren't making a dime anyway. But you can kinda see the vibe happening here.
======================
Cultural Solutions.
We learn nothing if we cannot learn from our own history. As such, I sought solutions from human history's deep and storied past.
How did people historically cope in such environments? What successful systems were in place for thousands of years in just about every culture?
After detailed study and formulation, peer collaboration and review, I came up with the following on Saturday with my roommate Stan.
Residents will be able to participate in a caste system, as follows:
1. Important Business People
2. Academia Types
3. Tech Geeks
4. Furs
5. Naughties
User types were ranked against a hypothetical mainstream test subject couple, codenamed "Ozzie and Harriet."
Intensive simulations were run to come up with their likely reaction to various online interaction scenarios, and how likely it was that they might be open to marketing. Well, okay funding was limited and I mainly bounced these ideas off Stan, but the grant is still pending. We are sure further studies will support our preconceptions; they always do anyway.
Thus, Important Business People ranked first. This group, by virtue of Bringing Monehs to Teh Internets, will be able to enjoy expanded powers. Such as kicking and banning anybody disrupting their meetings regionwide, or the ability to remove any object. This will clear the pathway to overall growth and wealth, benefiting all. Well, okay, maybe just anyone that matters.
These freedoms come with a cost, however. These Important Businesspeople must conform to a specific dress and appearance code. Some small variances might be considered 'hip', such as a tiny ankle tattoo, but that's where it ends.
Next come the Academic Types. We've all heard them: the pundits that teach us everything we need to know, or think, about The Metaverse at large. They defer only to the Important Business People, and don't even have to make eye contact with the rest.
Their main power is the ability to stop every other caste from speaking while they lay out their ideas, and haughtily dismiss them afterward.
However, if you are an Academic Type, you had better be used to appearing tweedy. It is imperative that all castes can distinguish you instantly from an Important Business Person or a Tech Geek.
Tech Geeks rank next, and are a more focused version of the Academic Type. Their special ability is to be indisputably right all the time on any subject having to do with computers, and the ability to dig through your data, change your interfaces, force upgrades, make you buy a new computer and so forth with impunity.
Needless to say there is no written dress code for a tech geek; it is nearly impossible not to spot one immediately anyhow.
Furs. There really isn't anything special about being a fur, but we just thought they should be given a spot simply because they are easily identified.
Naughties. This includes just about anyone that the Ozzie and Harriet simulation would consider deviant.* It was imperative to separate this group due to its ability to potentially alarm the Important Business People or the Academic Types. All must dress in silks, latex or even less, all the time so they can be identified easily.
*Note that this was at the 'backyard barbeque' level of the simulation, not including what Ozzie or Harriet might do during off hours. We are trying to get grant money to study that in a later phase.
So that's all, folks ~ let us know what you think before 2 April 09 so we can fine tune the system to resident needs!
See me, Anthropologist, in the new Academic Type avatar at my official office hours ~ and you just might see my roommate Stan as a Fur!
" - Prospero Linden