Raging Protest Thread

In the interests of saving Jonquille L$20.00 I am starting a ragind protest thread against yet another image of Aimee on the Web Site. Its not fair and it makes me mad: the linden's shrine to Aimee is much bigger, better, and more visited than my own!

Oh to be FIC!


Now in truth I see why Aimee is the enfant celebree of SL. Look at her contributions. Aimee, as much as anyone has taken the SL tool box and made something with it. Yes she makes high quality clothes, and has awesome shops in cutting edge locations. But more than just making content, Aimee creates and sells a brand, image and attitude that are uniquley SL.

I am not sure exactly how to put my finger on it, because there are a lot of very awesome content creators who have made some very lovely clothes. But the PREEN Attitude and image seem to sort of grow from SL. More than say Jonquille's Clothes (which I love she does awesome mens stuff), or even Grimm and Muse (yes I paid L$1800 for a suit!), aimee work always seems to be from SL and not imported from RL.

And of course Aimee herself is a celebrity. She has butterfly wings for gods sakes-its the ability to have whimsical quirks like this that in my mind make SL a bit different than simply a RL simulator. Also Aimee's contributions to the boards, and maintaining her 3d party website enchance the community and make her well known to both LL and to everyone else. (Ok so she makes yankee jerseys but not RedSox Jerseys-even Aimee can't be perfect).

So its easy to see why she gets picked for damned near every SL promotional Image.

To me this raises two questions:

1. What sort of things do you think qualifies someone as an SL celebrity?
2. Who's image would you like to see on the LL promotions based on thier contributions to the SL community?

One of the main reasons I personally love Aimee's picture that is used is because the avatar looks like your average person, but the wings are sort of a fun costume to put on, but also the expression with the hands and tongue really show how different SL is in the terms of animation expressions. The other avatars look great up there, but Aimee's really seems to stand out to me as one that shows a lot of what SL has to offer.

I also really really love the photo on the "join" page for a lot of the same reason. (I don't know if that picture is Francis Chung or not.. but would have been my guess) https://secondlife.com/join/

"1. What sort of things do you think qualifies someone as an SL celebrity?"

I think those that are outspoken, outgoing, and major contributors in the SL world and/or forums end up with a lot of celebrity status. I think there are a variety of kinds of SL celebrities (known for different reasons), so basically I think celebrities in SL are chosen much the same way they are chosen in RL.

"2. Who's image would you like to see on the LL promotions based on thier contributions to the SL community?"

Why mine of course!!

hehe... I think any resident who has a picture of themselves that can caputure the spirit of SL in a way that I think Aimee's (and the other picture I mentioned) does, then I am fine with seeing it used. To me it is not seeing someone's picture on the website that determines how I feel about them though (and especially not SL as I'm already hooked on it), so I don't really consider the photos as something open *just* to "celebrities".

Now I need coffee!

I endorse this product and/or service. Nothing to do with Pens contributions to SL, you understand. Just cuz she's hawt.

Jake, I think celebrityhood just happens -- it happens as a result of a sort of Natural Selection. The attributes and contributions you listed for Aimee make a good template. Of course, your contributions don't all have to be positive in order to be a celebrity. There are groups whose contributions are mostly negative. They, too, are celebrities in a way.

I think the moment you try to box up and label a set of criteria, someone is going to break out of that box and shock everyone. So maybe the prime, unbreakable criteria is that those who break the mold (and do it visibly) are those who attain a celebrity's status.

I've met a few of the major posters here (you know who you are), and in each case I felt like I was asking for a celebrity's autograph I'm very proud to have some of you on my Friends' list.

That is an intersting point Cindy. I guess my purpose was not to define an objective box as to what makes a celebrity, but rather to get some people to share the teh subjective factors they consider when admiring someone? does this make sense?

Marcia Marcia Marcia, they never talk about me.

I want an official system put in place where avatars with wings can email their snapshot portfolio. When the Lindens decide they want a new picture on the front page they'll have to call a meeting and review hundreds of images from the portfolio, while on video so we know they're doing it. (I better see crying complete with boxes of tissue during the process or I'll accuse them of pretending.)

To sate my jealous anger, I demand the Lindens jump through bureaucratic hoops to coddle me and my emotional shortcomings!

~Ulrika~

Moesha moesha moesha, they never talk about me!

So if you label someone celebrity, then you can freely talk about them and start threads in their name (good or bad) and this does not violate the TOS?

Not exactly. A person does not have to be a celebrity for someone to start threads in their name. Only if a person or group is being attacked, would that be a TOS violation. Otherwise every person who has ever started a "Happy Birthday XXXperson" thread (and those who responded) would be in TOS violation.

And Kris.. *BLUSH*!! *hugs*

The Lindens will always have the people they end up picking, and because they are picked they will be famous. But forget that, make yourself famous

I started my own little company, and my how the guys at work did laugh. Nearly two years later my mobile phone chat rooms are still some of the only mobile chatrooms in the UK, and I have a lot of members to my company, and it grows. I feel like a small celebrity in my company, and I'm the big cheese

Start a site, open a store, create a group, be your own celebrity Who needs the Lindens to say you're good?

I've never really cared much about if a person is celebrity or not. I might recognize someone from seeing their name on the forums, but as so far as that getting them any special treatment or extra respect....nope, doesn't happen with me. I treat everyone with an equal level of polite respect until such time as they've proven with their actions and words if they're deserving of it.


(Please note that's not any type of implied statement for/against Aimee, but an observation of mine in general.)



- Newfie

I'M BLUSHING! Jake I think these questions go beyond Second Life. In the RL, what makes a celeb?

I think since ancient times people have enjoyed seeing the common trials of humanity played out in a simple, grand, and symbolic stage. Rather than Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie on People Magazine, they told stories of gods and demons. People enjoyed listening to how these classic Jung archetypes overcame their obstacles and became victorious. They ALSO enjoyed listening to how they were thwarted by their own human-like folly. Like watching a sporting event, it's fun to pick a team and live vicariously through your favorite athlete. You can share their joy, but you need never worry about suffering their fall.

How do celebrities emerge? It's a nickle and dime process where you produce something noteworthy here, piss off some people there, win an event, get caught in a scandal, etc. The more of these little moments you have the more likely people are going to be curious what you have been up to lately. Celebrity status is also very local. You may be the most noteworthy person out of your 10 friends, out of your group, in your sim, your continent, the grid, or the game.

As for me... Let me say that in terms of my relationship with people, I'm exactly where I want to be. Anybody that has spent any time talking to me knows I am a deeply social person and I'm extatic that SL has given me such easy access to so many wonderful personalities...

...BUT I wasn't ready for the "celebrity" thing. Cindy mentioned she felt like she was getting a celebrity's autograph with certain users. OOF, I get treated that way, and it's not my goal. While I am flattered, I do find that the autograph mentality is something I need to overcome with an individual before I can establish a rewarding exchange with them. When SL's population was smaller, I was able to overpower the image of Aimee with the REAL Aimee simply by connecting with them. But as SL grows, this is getting REALLY hard. I can't spend an hour chit-chatting with each resident like I used to with so many people out there!

So for what it's worth, there is my 2$L

I think the Linden marketing types like the way she looks. I do to. She has that innocent girl-next-door appeal with just a hint of sex goddess. And they have several shots of her in various poses with various outfits, including decked out with weapons. They use her pictures because, well, that's who they picked.

I don't think its "unfair" at all. I never heard any of you complain because you never had your picture on a Wheaties box.

Buster

On SL Celebrity (in general and not about anyone in particular) I think it depends on how many times one jumps up and up flailing their appendages saying LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!, how much social schmoozing is done and how much self-promotion they do (for content creators, business owners etc.) Its not necessarily a bad thing, but I can see how for some it would be a point of contention when questioning why some people are constantly in the spotlight while many others are looked over. Its a choice like anything, some people want to be noticed and in the spotlight while others shy away from the spotlight as it were. Personally speaking I do minimal promotions of my designs and otherwise keep to myself. If the spotlight finds me - it finds me. Normally, I don't go out of the way to pursue it. Why? Because I am quite frankly I am lazy and I guess I am somewhat modest that way. I do what I do and I don't need 100 people telling me how great I am constantly or to see images myself plastered everywhere (which is ironic cause I do all of my own modelling for my clothing designs, but you know what I mean). Not to assume that those in the spotlight are bad in anyway, I can't think of anyone I have seen glorified that aren't decent people contributing to the whole of the SL experience. It does take alot of time and energy being in the spotlight.

-Jennyfur
(not feeling very feted today)

The photo on the join page is Ferran Brodsky, for the record, in her kick ass mech suit.

I think celebrity in SL depends a lot upon self promotion, intended or accidental. Say your own name a lot, flash your own picture a lot, post in the forums... It's like conditioning. I think a lot of SL celebrities have it happen to them by accident. Everyone knows the name Chip *CMFF* Midnight, even if they don't actually know Chip Midnight. His name is part of his product line, began when the world was small and everyone knew everyone's name anyway, and now that the world is larger, fame has been thrust upon the name. (Well deserved, in my opinion.)

Aimee has a recognizable avatar. It's fun, it's funky, it's whimsical. It lends those attributes to SL's image when used to promote it. Ferran's picture on the Join page lends a tougher, sexier image, and also works very well.

As a forum regular, I'm often surprised in world when people don't have any clue who some of these SL celebrities are, though. What's famous on the forums isn't neccessarily famous in SL. People on the forums know my name, because I post with it. People in world generally have no idea who's behind my store brand, and I prefer it that way.

How cool! I always wondered but got too lazy to ask. I really love that picture! Thanks Jon!

REALLY good point. Someone should make a list of the top 10 people generally considered celebs... then go in world and ask random people who they are. I have a feeling the score will be very humbling.

I was once doing some building in umber when I overheard these two girls talking near my *PREEN* store (they didn't see me). One noticed the Aimee Doll on top of my store:

girl1: Hey I know her, that's Aimee Weber
girl2: Who is that?
girl1: I dono. Some party chick.



OOF!

blah blah blah Aimee blah blah blah

I loved a convo I had the other week:

Av A : Do you need a store to put your dances and stuff in?
Me : Nah, I'm finding it easier to just have one or two locations..
Av A : Oh so you have a store?
Me : Yeah I share one with my wife in Gallinas, Little Rebel
Av A : !!!
Av A : OMG OMG OMG Your Jonquilles Husband? Girls Girls, this is Jonquilles Husband!

Totally cracked me up

I love having slipped under the radar.. I totally enjoy that the world has grown so big that I slipped into obscurity I get more work done that way.

Not to me you haven't. I use your humor as fuel to get me through my workday.

LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME! I'm the attention whore. I don't know how Jennyfur puts up with me.

We scripters demand more attention! I want some screenshots of code on the web site! All these damn designers get all the attention!

while(feted)
{
    string email_txt = plan_evil_things(llFrand());
    llEmail("philip@lindenlab.com", "EVIL PLANS. TOP SECRET.", email_txt);
}

Aimee isn't FIC, she's just a brilliant creator who brings so much to SL. LL is just using her avatar because they think has a positive promotional aspect for our world.

shup or i am going to (fill in the blanks) Rub ___ on your _____. Because ____ on ___ is icky!

BLAZE I am so sick and tired of your....

of you your.... *reads again*

uh...whoa. I am confused...

*passes out*