Wowzers! Electric Sheep's "The Happening" gets top Slashdot billing!

Coverage of SL is good news for all of us - it brings new people and new opportunities. Instead of bickering over this, we should just be celebrating it for what it is - great press coverage of an innovative event. Congratulations to all those involved.

(This isn't directed at you Moopf, but moreso as a general statement about trends I see in SL) I get the feeling that if anyone other than Flipper had posted a link to the slashdot article about the Electric Sheep event it would not have raised a fic/conflict of interest ruccous that it obviously has? I'm just confused about why this is such an issue and believe me it has nothing to do with Flipper being my RL husband or having been involved with SLB either. Pardon me for saying and I mean no disrespect, but i just find this whole issue to be complete BS and bordeline prejudice.

Second Life is a microcosm of the real world no matter how you slice it or dice it. Yes, there are a great many things you can do in SL that you can't do in the real world - just as there were when that whole new fangled internet thing became popular. All types of people from all walks of life enter into this digital realm and bring different things to the table. Some players have the luxury of not having to work normal 9-5 office jobs, some players are more popular than others for whatever reasons, some make more money some make less, some have different tech skillsets...etc. Its life and unfortunately there is no actual possible way to maintain life as pure 100% equals. It just isn't possible and I am not being elitist by saying so. I am being realistic. Some will move far and beyond the rest of the crowd, most will meander about the middles and some will function on the lower levels. To lambast those that actually have the ability to make it and move beyond the average player is silly and makes people look petty and jealous.

Regards,
Jennyfur

Lash, the slashdot post is thin on content as always. It's better to check out the eSheep's The Happening Page and probably even better to check out the R & B Cafes page.

There will a poetry slam, jazz musicians, fashion show, and dance party, that will all be streamed into SL by ServerCage. The party going on in Second Life will be projected on the walls of the R &B Cafe, and there will be laptops at the event in real life so people can log in and participate in the SL party. Furthermore Phillip Torrone from Make Magazine will have his wearable computer setup on, and will be interacting in both SL and RL spaces.

The event is a fundraiser for independent artists and other non-profits, and is in general supporting an up and coming art district in D.C.

Get a life.

I think you've hit the feeling I've been picking up on head with the following:

"That being said, the time to act is now if you want to be part of the evolution of the metaverse,"

It's that self-absorbed, meek shall inherit the earth, others will be excluded mentality that I'm picking up recently. Thanks for giving me a "sound bite" that encapsulates it nicely. It's an attitude that caused, rightly or wrongly, the great FIC debate of '05. It's just that now, none of you are really pretending that there's nothing in it any more - you're doing it in the open and at full throttle.

I seriously wish you all joy with taking the metaverse by the horns, in becoming the pioneers, the leaders, the movers and shakers. Just be careful what you tread on on the way through.

Wake me up when it's over.

Moof, I've always been a fan of your talent and your products, but I really have to take issue with some of your statements.

There's nothing being done by Electric Sheep, SLBoutique, or any other content provider or project developer that couldn't be done by anyone else in SL, given enough drive and willpower to do so. And I completely include Tiny Seadog in that statement as well. 6 months ago I would have never dreamed that we'd have the opportunities available in SL to work on the kind of projects coming in the door.

What SL provides is an opportunity - not a promise or a guarantee, but an opportunity - to make this kind of dream a reality. If its your dream, and you want to put the hard work and talent and drive into it to make it succeed, then in SL you have the chance to be on the forefront of this kind of virtual business. The playing field is still very very empty, and I'm positive that the next year is going to bring a huge number of new faces to this aspect of SL - and its needed! Healthy competition makes everyone work harder to keep their edge, and will keep SL going strong.

Electric Sheep is in the position they are because they're professional, talented, and hard working - the same ingredients for success in any industry. A person can spend their time looking for conspiracies and cabals and other reasons why they themselves aren't in the position of others, or they can put work into themselves and their dreams to get them in that position themselves.

*EDIT*: I read your response to Flip and instead of wishing you luck if you want to go in that direction yourself, I have to ask, what you are afraid people will be "stepping on"? You seem like you're despairing for something that might possibly happen, but I can't figure out what it is. There are opportunities, and people/inworld companies are responding to them. I'm not sure how that directly or indirectly treads on anyone else's experiences in SL.

I changed my mind. Bravo Moopf.

Happening in SL on Sheep Island, which will be open tomorrow, though still pretty empty other than the R & B. There won't be holographic projection in RL, just projection on the walls, but it still should be pretty cool.

To preregister for the event in SL, join "The Happening" group. The sim will be limited to Residents from that group, and we'll close the group if it gets too full. There may also be impromptu spillover parties for viewing the streaming in other places, if Sheep Island overfloweth.

At the SL party, the main attraction is the chance to share in the live party via our video stream... you'll see RL fashion, musical performances, and other such talent. We also will be organizing some ways for SL residents to interact with the RL event too, by letting RL attendees hop into SL via Phillip Torrone's gear or an SL terminal, and having some hooks for SL residents and the RL events. And of course this is an event about creativity and diversity, which SL is full of, so hopefully a fun bunch of residents will create their own happenings in SL as well.

Actually Jennyfur, this thread was just a convenient avenue for me to say my piece. It opened the door and I thought I may as well come clean on what I'm thinking.

I can't disagree with most of what you've said here by the way, although certainly from my position, jealosy doesn't figure at all, and I do wish that people wouldn't instantly dismiss contrary arguments in such an easy, convenient fashion. It would behoove those involved to try to act with some tact if they wish to be the metaverse and not resort to the easiest, most dismissive explanations.

Having an aversion to the sudden melding of so many people, several of which ooze the kind of self-importance that makes me extremely wary of them and their motives, is what's bugging me. And yes, the tangled webs that pervade the different spheres and acquaintances of Second Life, also have a lot to do with this.

Some of the language being used is, quite frankly, dictatorial whilst pretending that it's empowering and open. But, as I say, I'm not talking directly about this thread, it's about something that's been building for a few weeks now.

Cory, I think Moopf knows what it takes to be successful in SL.

I think Moopf is commenting on the vibe that I have been picking up lately which I would call smug asshated jerks who have modest accomplishments on the internet in a very small circle, but Moopf states it a little better here "It's that self-absorbed, meek shall inherit the earth, others will be excluded mentality". It isn't about what people are doing (I mean really no one is doing anything really important, unless someone just found the cure for cancer on the northern continent under a thong), it is about their funky-ass smug attitudes. It is like Hiro exploded and doused HiroSmugAsshat dust on everyone.

This probably is not the best time to announce that Aimee Weber and I have combined forces and she is now the official mascot of the renamed Flapzilla site, and we have changed the name of the combined Anomations/Preen stores to be simply called * MEAN *.

Hi Cory, I'm glad you're taking issue with my statements, if people weren't I'd be worried! I don't believe my thinking is 100% accurate, but this is the first time I've aired my views in public so a debate on it is more than welcome

Again, as with Jennyfur's post, I couldn't agree with you more on much of what you say. You're absolutely right, again, apart from the indication that I'm picking up, yet it's more veiled in your post, that these views are somehow driven by jealosy.

As for despairing, no I wouldn't class it as despairing as such. My problem's not with Electric Sheep (who, to be honest, I didn't even know existed until a couple of weeks ago), it's to do with the language I'm seeing from several who I'd place into the "cabal" (I do like that word, thanks!), their personalities and how they're trying to position themselves and, by extension, the "selected" whole. It goes beyond companies like yours and Electric Sheep doing work for outside companies, and with that I would be deranged if I had an issue with it! It has to do with a feeling of control that is gradually being exerted, a conformity that may be imposed either directly or by default that's irking me.

HA! Thanks for the laugh.

To address some of the finer points of the discussion:

I am confused mostly as to why the success and innovation of others is so bothersome and almost always a means for a percentage of the population to take the time to tell them how much they suck instead of saying "hey great idea" or "congrats" Lawd knows, I am guilty of that myself from time to time.

I agree that there are a few self-absorbed people whose true motives are self-servicing and do not even remotely account for making SL a better place, moreso, their motives are seemingly intent on making themselves look good in front of their peers and/or to find new and exciting ways to line their pockets at the expense of others (no pun intended).

I know Flipper better than anyone here and I know that of anyone in SL his motives are pure. He honestly does care and does want to help people. Which ironically enough sometimes I chide him about because often I fail to go out of my way to help others and can't understand why he spends so much time helping people. Simply put, he finds fulfillment in helping others any way he can. I know you are not directly attacking Flipper, but it seems that this whole thread has been half congrats and half wary misgivings and conspiratorial musings. Flipper is one of the least self-absorbed people I have ever met in my life. It makes him unique and sometimes quirky and annoying if you have to live with him

Some of the vitriole I see spewed about on the forums does smack of jealousy. How do I know this? Because, the responses that I see as having a basis in jealousy are the same responses I would make if I were jealous of the person etc. I have had to come to terms with alot of my own jealousy issues over the years so I am keenly aware of how things present even if they are not intended as such.

Anyways... I see where you are coming from even if I don't completely understand.

Nice pic.

Wow, I better pick up some roses on the way home!

Between Cristianos and Ebonis last posts I can barely contain my laughter.

This is spectacular news and very exciting both for Electric Sheep and SL. This will bring in new people to SL at an even faster rate and helps the development of our world.

This just adds to the anticipation surrounding 'The Happening' which I'm really looking forward to. This is exactly the kind of innovative event mixing real and virtual spaces which needs encouraging. It'll be late night for me when I log on so don't expect to get too much sense out of me but I will be there!

That's essentially what I got out of his last post too - humility is key. I can totally understand that. I don't dig self-important people either, and honestly that's another reason why I like working in SL - in the experiences I've had in the RL workforce and in SL, I've met a lot more self-important jerkfaces in RL companies that I've worked for.

And unfortunately, there's always going to be some people that have talent and drive but also have an attitude about it. I try very hard not to be one of those people, and I'm sure I don't succeed all the time, but that's part of being a human being - you just keep trying your best.



First, let me apologize if my statements came across as implying yours were driven by jealousy, veiled or not. It wasn't my intent in the slightest If anything, it was more trying to figure out exactly why these issues come up again and again, and if Eboni's interpretation of your statements is correct, then I agree with you as well, to a certain extent.

I guess I'm coming at this from an angle wherein I've worked for some REALLY self-important and pretty damn corrupt people in RL. I can totally relate to the feeling of wanting to scream "GET OVER YOURSELF FOR GOD'S SAKE! THIS COMPANY ISN'T GOING TO SAVE THE WORLD! WE MAKE WIDGETS! AND QUIT BONKING YOUR SECRETARY ON MY DESK AFTER HOURS!" So in comparison, any instances I see of self-importance in SL seem like small potatoes.

Maybe its the fact that there's a fine line to balance between self-promotion and humility? Especially when people in SL know exactly who is behind each company. In RL, how many people can name off who all the CEOs of General Electric are, much less have the opportunity to run into them on a daily basis? The size and scope of the RL business world lend a certain veil of protection against having your business be a reflection of you personally, and that's something SL hasn't reached yet. Just tossing out some thoughts...

Eboni, thanks for the compliments but I'd have to say that what I've done in SL in no way compares to what the likes of Electric Sheep, Tiny Seadog, Bedazzle etc. are trying to do. That's a whole different ball game and, although it might appear minor in the real world, taken within Second Life those achievements are actually quite major. I take my hat off to those who are taking the plunge and making what they can do in SL their RL work. It does take courage to do that, without a doubt.

As for Hiro exploding. Well, I couldn't possibly comment on that.

When I read the news, it was less exploding, and more of a poinging.

I think there's a couple of problems here:

1. You're confusing views such as my own, which are not individually aimed but aimed at more of a group-think or group-influence agenda and the putting down of individual achievements, something which I have no wish to do.

2. This is going to sound like Mr. Pocket-Book Psychiatrist here (and so I apologize in advance) but projecting your own jealosy reasons for saying things onto others who say the same things isn't right. People do say the same things for different reasons. That you might say those things because of jealosy has absolutely no bearing on why others might say the same, or similar, things. It is true that others are no doubt motivated by that, but it is not a one-size-fits-all explanation.

Heh, its funny, because when I started, your vendor was known as THE vendor to use in SL, and still one of the most popular ones! Your skates are in my top 10 of SL items I couldn't live without! The simple pleasures in SL are often the best.

Regards,

-Flip

1. No I'm not, I was speaking generally of what I have seen in this thread and in other threads to a lesser extent from multiple people -- not you in particular. Its probably my fault for addressing multiple issues from multiple persons in my response.

2. Jealousy is part of human nature. Not always a pleasant part, but a part none the less and one which we all possess whether we admit it or not. I was never implying that you were jealous in anyway. I made the ::coughjealouscough" statement in response to something Enabran was responding to in order to make a point. People don't like to be told when they are acting jealous. I know I certainly don't, but like I said, its part of what makes us human. Besides which, even if I see someones behavoir as smacking of jealousness it does not make it a fact - it makes it my opinion right or wrong is purely subjective.

You're wrong about that Moopf. There are certain individuals and groups that you can look to in SL and say that they changed the paradigm, sometimes just in small ways, but still brought about change.

Bedazzle brought a level of quality to their projects that had never before been seen in SL on that level. Chinatown especially made a lot of people realize the possibilities of what could be done in SL. It still remains one of the most memorable places I have seen in SL, and the innovative weather and reflection effects were phenomenal.

Tiny Seadog, while relatively new, has been a vehicle for the unbelievable talents of Cory Edo and Maiko Stygian, and has already done something very unique with the BBC broadcast they were involved in. Cory's style especially is incredibly her own, and has raised the bar signficiantly in terms of visual appeal and realism.

Electric Sheep I am unfamiliar with, but it sounds like their upcoming event is quite revolutionary (and got the press to go with it). The list of people who have caused mini-revolutions in their own sphere of SL goes on and on.

You have actually been a part of that. From your silly-named Vendopf vending machines to your distributed gumball machines (still one of my favorite things in SL) and your skates, your work has been incredible and memorable. In your own little part of SL, your work has mattered to a lot of people, if for no other reason than to entertain them. (I have spent more time just rolling around in your damn skates than I care to admit publicly).

In Second Life we are blest with a wealth of unbelievably talented people. Yeah some are primadonnas (yes you Barnes), many are under-appreciated (Toast Bard is my hero), and so many people add to this world that I don't think any self-appointed cabal is going to have the market cornered on the metaverse. People will move in and out of the spotlight, but there is no opportunity to dominate - the competition is just way too strong, and there is always someone more innovative, better funded, and more driven right around the corner.