What has SL really done to you in RL?

I think this question was asked so much...

What has Second Life done to you in Real Life?

1.) Inspired me to write a series of novels with plenty of references to Second Life. No, I'm not selling the books.
Note: By plenty of references, it means several books of my series will be written as if it was in Second Life. Many residents I know of, including some of the forum-goers will be included in the book! I will make sure everyone is known as if the book is written.

2.) Using different programs to create maps in different games, some pertain to the awesome outlook of Second Life. For example, I did a Second Life club map (read my signature)

3.) Learning the arts of creativity. Torley Linden was one of the biggest inspirators on YouTube. Creativity was the major step that inspired me to write the book and map content.

4.) Making the arts of forums, making us the third forums related to gaming/life that I've joined. WoW was the first forum, and Warcraft III was the second forum.

5.) It made me start my world's first blog, Warder Revestel's Second Life blog, and many more.

It changed my life.

It

1) Introduced me to hundreds of new people from around the globe, with different beliefs and lifestyles.

2) Introduced me to the idea of forums (having never really actively posted to a forum before.)

3) Introduced me to quite a few new people with whom I share deep and abiding affection, thus making a rather theretofore solitary existence not as much.

4) Introduced me to New Worlds and New Civilizations. My five year mission is not yet near completion, and I hope to extend it.

5) Introduced me to the graphic arts, namely GIMP and Blender. I feel that I've become richer, intellectually, because of this. I may never use them in a RL job, but I do feel much more knowledgeable about Stuff That's Out There.

6) Imbued in me, because of 5), a sense that I really can learn anything I want, whenever I want, as long as I put my mind to it.

it made me become a shoppaholic

Been around for about 2 years, now. A little more. In that time, SL has:

1) Brought me to realize that I was being an idiot with love, a couple of times.

2) Given me a Mistress that I'll hopefully be with as soon as RL allows (Quite a test, as that's a few years for really being able to)

3) Pushed me back into the 3D-Creation community, inspiring me to keep up, and learn more.

4) Allowed me to become a relatively good (In my own personal opinion, so there) 3D modeler and artist, outside of sculpts and such.

5) Allowed me to become comfortable in just about every 3D application someone might throw at me, at least to the point of understanding the basics and being able to pick it up quickly.

6) Allowed me a chance to learn and discuss from/with brilliant minds about technology in various aspects, essentially giving me knowledge that I never realized I'd find useful, and would likely not have gained on my own otherwise.

7) Totally screwed up my sleep pattern

Well yeah, that too. I didn't want to admit it, though.

I have managed to keep my shopping addiction in SL - I still absolutely hate RL shopping.

A person will answer the question differently depending on how long they've been using SL. Newcomers will probably be more positive about what they've taken from SL.

In 10 years time I expect to see the OP posting about how SL destroyed his life.

SL brought the whole world to my computer.

It brought me different cultures of people, different belief systems, different languages.

Most importantly, and because of the aforementioned, it brought me my RL fiance from Holland, straight to my desktop in the USA.

-Blu-(Somewhere, out there.)

I have been here about 6 months.

Before I came to SL, my thoughts, daydreams, even dreams were not healthy. SL has made them dramatically more healthy. I feel more peaceful and creative. I believe I am a nicer, more loving person. SL has allowed me to explore expressing love. I have explored roles I've never explored in so-called RL.

I was already a shopaholic. That hasn't changed one way or the other. But things are a lot cheaper in SL. LOL

It turned a relatively normal, outdoorsy person into a part-time geek.

It confirmed to me my long-held belief - that I am always right and, therefore, those who disagree with me must always be wrong

Before I even read this post I was thinking the main thing to which SL introduced me is 3D modeling and learning how to use Gimp. Plus the seeds of entrepreneurship including marketing.

I've been actively involved in several online communities previously, including forums on several topics and have developed relationships from online that extended into RL, but the above is what really leaps to mind in what SL has taught me.

Sadly.... Not much more than contributed to the widening of my ass and made my schoolwork more of a challenge (I mean, who wants to read and study boring textbooks when there's a whole world out there to explore?)

ditto

Most of the effects have been positive, but I'm another one who's become less outdoorsy.

Made me more aware that nothing is fair in business.

1. Got me to stop hanging out at the bar 3,4,or 5 nights a week.
2. I drink less.
3. I spend less money.

Wow, that's cold!

The big thing for me is that I have met some very cool people who live so far away from me that I would never ever have met them in real life. But that's not really affecting my RL, so here goes with answering the actual question:

1. Allowed me to practice my then-dormant German language skills a bit.

2. Made me learn a lot about traditional Japanese culture (including a few words of Japanese)

3. Taught me about running a business

4. Showed me how wonderful some people's minds can be - when they get an opportunity to build their fantasy world.

You all know that I came into SL kicking and screaming cause my friends said no more talking in Yahoo chat I had to come in to SL lol.

first few months yup chatting is mainly what I did.

Then started exploring. Seen so many lovely places that in FL would never be able to afford to go.

Met so many lovely people that I am proud to call friends.

Learned I love shopping in SL but still not in FL.

Met someone so very special in my heart.

Learned that sometimes my thoughts on a building I can actually build and see. SOOOO much better then on paper. And I love to try to figure it out!

Learned that my need for organization still happens in SL. So does my fear of heights lol.

Learned to be more outgoing which is carrying on into FL.

Learned I love voice specially when building.

Learned to ignore my feet when barefoot hehehehe.

You know just got to thinking the FL friends that insisted I come in to SL are no longer in SL hmmmm. We still email and call each other and visit, but yah no SL for them.

Have so many things that SL has opened up for me or is it me opening up for SL?

Bec

Wow.....already some very interesting answers here....

1. SL provided me with a source of entertainment while my man was working away from home. It kept me sane and occupied and basically out of trouble.

2. SL has enriched my perception of the world and the people in it by allowing me to develope freindships globally. To me that is absolutely phenominal. Even being the loner that I am....I do still adore and appreciate the human race.

3. SL has helped me expand my creative skills in multiple ways. I've learned more about photogaphy by honing my skills in SL. I'v learned new graphic skills using photoshop and been challenged as an artist which I so appreciate. SL has brought me back to my creative self which was powerful in me as a kid.....and RL sort of blurried it for me.

4. SL has helped inspire my writing again. Another, larger part of who I am, that has taken a back seat for way too long, and due to so many changes in my life. SL has given me a venue to throw my work out there more easily, which inspires me to do just that.

5. Via SL I have received more encouragement and positive feedback from people to do what I do and do what I love.....and it has been awesome for me because IRL my cheering section is usually distracted with their RL.....and most are so far away....I don't get the healthy doses one should.

5. SL has given me a way to honor my mom by displaying her art.....and at the same time helping raise awareness for MS research. I had wanted to do something with her paintings and it seemed like such an overwhelming task......until I realized I could do it all in SL.....and touch more people, more quickly, and at far greater distances. That has been so amazing and so cathartic for me to do.



If there was any negative at all for me in SL......it passed in my first year.....when I was over stimulated by the whole concept and there for wanting to be on my computer 24/7 to explore explore explore. The beginning was when I briefly experimented with adult content...it was interesting and entertaining at first, because it was so unique in the context it's in......but it passed. My tendancy to be addicted to SL has way leveled out, so I would have to disagree with Whatever for his comment. new folks tend to over-do it and get caught up in drama and excess.......but I think when involved in SL over a long period, you reach a point of balance. You begin to take from it some real value, either in relationships or in new knowledge and experience. I think one ceases to be like a kid in a candy store. And, quite honestly, I think if folks truly do feel that SL has had a negative effect on thier lives.....then they simply leave and move on.

If you believe SL will destroy lives, why are you here?

Unless it is me, cuz I am ALWAYS RIGHT, NEVER EVER EVER WRONG.

I was just exagerating to prove my point. The point being the longer we use something the less we gain from it. Thankfully most of us move on before something becomes totally redundant.

I've got my cases packed.

Changed my sex.

Not entirely down to SL, I hasten to add, the need was there all along. SL gave me a safe venue to start presenting as female, and let me realise I was entirely comfortable with it. Of course it's an idealised setting, with none of the difficulties of doing the same in RL, but it gave me something to build on. It gave me the confidence to make plans, tell my doctor, and fairly quickly, to go out in public in my new role. From there I've eventually been able to come out to friends and family, and move towards living full time.

If it hadn't been SL, it'd probably have been something else (given time), but SL was the pebble that started the landslide.