The sound of silence ...

I'm wondering if this is a common theme for people or if it's just that I am wandering at a loose end in SL today and noticing it more.

People simply don't seem to talk any more - and this is not a voice issue per se unless people are in voice IM, which is about the same as if they are in text IM.

However, I remember when I first started playing - people did chat in general out and about. I just don't see that any more - I don't mean that they don't talk to me, just not much public banter these days.

Is this something you've noticed? Outside of clubs and events I mean?

Sl evolved from the small close knit village to a biig world.

Sadly.

It can be that way sometimes, but overall I don't see it. I'm usually being told to be quiet and go away.. ;P

I think the biggest problem is that the world has gotten so huge, each group of 'talkers' can find their own space to chatter in, way out of range of the next group of talkers. And the few places people used to gather and talk at, the welcome areas, is so drama grief filled, not much actual conversation happens.

*snuggle hugs*! ^^

Maybe that's it Koko ~blows kisses to her~

I've been away a few days and as seems to be the case if I leave something alone it implodes under the weight of idiocy - so I have come back to find everything I know has splintered off into a thousand warring pieces so I am a-wandering about instead.

maybe it's because they know by now what the reply is to "do u wanna do teh sex"?

Unfortunately I think it all started to change when telehubs disappeared.

Hmm I did say not people not talking to me, just not talking to each other. Has it really got so bad that they are the only conversations in town? LOL.

well maybe it's IMing madness or god forbid Voice!

It is a natural progression caused by people walling themselves off via banlines and "Don't go where you're not wanted" threads. Encounter enough people in SL who clearly don't want anything to do with you and of course you stop talking to passersby.

It is much like RL where everybody wants to live in their own little world where the music is only the genre they like, the TV shows are only the ones they want to watch, houses are only in the style they like and rules are only the ones they want to follow. People embrace diversity only so far as they approve of the individual elements.

Yes, I have noticed a remarkable decrease in chat in the almost year I've been in world.

My alt was out on one of his hikes the other day on mainland and encountered a person who said - to paraphrase, "It's really good to see you. I never see anybody." Clearly she wanted to talk to someone, but at the time my alt seemed to be focused on walking and exploring, forgetting that it's PEOPLE and their personalities he may really want to explore.

He just sort of explained about how you see more things by walking than flying or TP'ing, wished her good day and moved on.

If I ever meet him, I'm gonna kick his butt. I need to prepare a list of innocuous questions to get other people to start talking about themselves - without intruding on their real lives. People enjoy talking about themselves and I need to remember that.

Maybe there's also a technical aspect to it? Perhaps people using newer clients tend to leave their communicate window up all the time (like Chat History), and thus do not see new chat scrolling obviously on the screen?

Combine that with the very common AOs that turn off the typing anim and noise, and you have chat that's really easy to miss ...
.

Thanks for pointnig it out. I am still a SL noob so this is all I ever knew. But now I will make it a point to talk to people in open chat when out and about.

Maybe it depends on the type of place you go to.

I mostly go places to look at interesting builds, components, textures, gadgets, art installations, etc. I generally talk to others there and almost invariably get a friendly response.

If I'm in a consumer item store, I usually get on with it and get out fast. I sometimes engage others in conversation, but it takes some significant event, exhibit or 'something' to make people loosen up.

I don't go to dance clubs often. From that *limited* experience : Unless there's a happy banter to join in with, most people seem to be in their own little world. That would except the people going Woot, YeeHawww and AirHorn - who are on another planet.


A rule of sorts:
If you are somewhere imaginative, you tend to bump into imaginative people.

I suspect two possible reasons contribute to this phenomenon.

1. Voice is a more personal and a "closer" form of communication than tapping away on your keyboard, so people probably don't want to use it for casual or impersonal encounters. I wonder how often voice is used between intimate partners.

2. There is little pressure to use voice in SL, so I think often people justy don't start.

In World of Warcraft, voice is more commonplace even though people have to use third-party services like TeamSpeak and Ventrilo. That is because they need it. Most people join guilds to go on raids, which are necessary to advance beyond a certain point, or to engage in PvP battles. In both cases, voice is a practical necessity to coordinate the group. Result: People get used to using voice, and they also spend a lot of time in-game with other guild members, who have become familiar "faces" to them. None of these imperatives exist in SL, except perhaps in RP sims.

In SL, my guess it would be used with some frequency for videoconferencing business meetings, whether SL business (I have participated in one of these) or non-SL business. It can work well for this purpose. I would not be surprised to learn it is used extensively by romantic partners in SL (when the sound of the voice does not clash too violently with the image on the screen O.O). And of course, RP scenes. Otherwise, I would guess it is seen as merely a novelty, which would explain its use in newbie entry areas and not so much elsewhere.

IM's for privacy.

I did turn off my "typing" animation, but turned it on again. Just so ppl should see that I was preparing to say something in open chat.

I do think it's too quiet in SL. Somehow ppl avoid open chat....maybe because they're afraid to say something stupid?

I like that open, friendly chat with lot of funny talk, maybe a bit flirting too..... that doesn't happen so often. My best time in SL is when a group of ppl sit down or dance, and all talk in open chat and have a good time together.

I was shoe-shopping yesterday, and popped into several stores where people were actually chatting! It was a pleasant surprise. On the other hand, I've been working a lot lately, so ANY chat seems like a lot after not talking to anyone for 4+ hours, so I guess it's partly my own darn fault.

Hmmm not really what I am getting at Nika. I can't help but read - and I am used to incessantly scrolling, very fast IRC channels ...

I just don't think people bother to talk any more.

@Sling. Yeah I agree with this but I really mean anywhere out and about, just generally. Hell, I used to see conversations at yard sales etc even!

Yes - I experience the same thing. Also lots of people whose first language isn't English and they often don't want to talk. I often feel quite shy, but I do say "Hello" to people.

Maybe we could have a "let's be friendly in SL day"?

When inworld with others I would be in IM 90% of the time.

I have two of the replicas of telehubs...maybe i'll drop them somewhere and see if people start talking to me more

Sadly i think it has to more with each persons perception of what SL should be and their own little universe.

YOUR world YOUR dreams YOUR Imagination..YOUR.. Second Life!! .Isn't that a slogan for another program? ..well anyways..that typifies the general populus mentality in RL.

No commonality..no group good..only "what YOU can get out of it". People don't feel the need to talk to others. ((oh unless they're selling something..then they script a box to do it for them and give you gifts and notecards that you can discard or mute))

I've noticed over half the people who freely talk on the forums to promote their new skin or build or clothes etc...won't speak at all in public. in world..where it matters.

So if that sheds light on "why" people speak and "why" they reach out. Maybe that'll change if people stop buying their products when others realise they're bitter old jaded snobbish stuck up bastards.

~Lana Tomba

I guess you could call me one of those people because I used to have a build that I promoted on the forums and I am very quiet inworld. This was due to these reasons:

1) On the forum, I can take my time with replies and choose who I want to respond to at any given time without feeling like I am insulting someone waiting for a response.

2) Inworld I am often multitasking: Clearing IMs, concentrating on moving or waiting for things to rez.

3) Sometimes I am just reading what others are saying. The more people doing this, the harder it is to do.

4) I sometimes like to think before I reply.

5) 90% of the time I am IMing with someone who is not present. People with products and builds have customers who contact them all the time, especially if they have not been online for a while.

6) Group chats can be overwhelming, especially if you don't do a lot of group chatting.

7) Someone in RL might be needing some mac and cheese or asking to use the computer to play Tom and Jerry Fridge Raid while I'm trying to respond to chat inworld.

If being quiet inworld means I'm being judged as one of the "bitter old jaded snobbish stuck up bastards", then I must need to change my profile title.

People talk, it's just that no one listens to what they are saying, or disregard them because they don't know them.
much like rl

right..and in my opinion..if someone can't share a few minutes with me in world to speak...((for whatever reason)) why waste my time buying their product.?

All your exscuses sound very nice and well thought out..but they've totally removed the human element. Part of the joy of in world interaction is spontinaity(sp).

Thats why I mentioned the boxes handing out well thought out notecards etc.

I'm in the buisness too..and while I prolly don't have as many IMs as you have..maybe 10 at the most at any given time..I always make sure that whoever is "there"..in world..are placed on a priority list (mainly because they don't understand) they see me standing doing nothing..and dont realise I'm in IMs or another program..so..they assume i'm being rude. Usually if my IMs get too out of control my friends will actually take note of my generalised vanilla responses and say "Oh you must be busy..ill talk to yas laters"

Yes ..There are those who will IM with a HI...nothing more..i have one friend who insists on sending me the same file again and again and again ((not even asking if I'm busy)).


It seems to me that people who can't interact in world anymore have forgotten SLs format..the "people"..if you want to sell your products and have no personal interaction..don't have an inworld store..sell on slex or wherever..put one of those nice little notes up stating that you don't answer IMs..an email to where they can drop complaints and start an alt.

Some of my very richest experiences have been with like minded artists here in SL. Sadly most of them were eaten by the "im too busy" monster. They lose out too

~Lana Tomba

Well I don't think any of my renters ever felt not taken care by me. Or anyone I engage with inworld for that matter. I just don't like petty name calling, condemnation of people without having all the facts and generalizations. And ironically, I would never buy products from people who have that kind of attitude.