Help *Another* Journalist, (please)

For a magazine piece on the culture of Second Life, I'm looking for residents located in the DC area (from Richmond, VA - Baltimore, MD) who would be willing to talk about their in-world experiences, particularly any experiences they've had with SL "crime," like griefing or harassment. Anyone interested can contact me at

[email]secondlifequery@gmail.com[/email]

I think they said this in the other post as well. You need to speak with Linden Labs first before being able to talk to people here..or you get a spanking I think...if not...can I get the spanking anyways?

I know the Terms of Service say that doing research for academic work on the people here should be done with Linden approval only, but I've never heard it said you need approval to talk to reporters for newsgathering organizations.



I'd say the ability to police the press from interviewing SL folks by Marketing is probably pretty minimal.

Yeah although they managed to lock my post anyway! So annoying. And I'm just a student too... boo hoo!
What was that about freedom of expression again?

I was unaware that a visit to the Ministry of Information was required first, but thanks to everyone here for telling me. I'll go through the proper channels.

And, of course, I hope that anyone who wants to contact me at the address above should still feel free to do so, as LL can't--as far as I know--control communication outside of SL.

Good luck!

I would not characterize it in such unpleasant terms as "ministry of information." Encouters with journalists in SL has not been a pleasant experience for many members and several have been burned by unethical conduct by mainstream journalists including publication of incorrect and personal information.

I know when I see one asking for member participation in an article I am very wary.

Sorry--It was joke. But it does strike me as curious, that a world that seeks to allow its users freedoms they don't have in RL would try to limit press coverage or control who talks to whom, even if it's motivated by some paternalistic notion. I'm afraid people get burned by unethical members of the media in real life all the time, too, but I wouldn't want to limit press access in RL as a result.

In any case, my article is in no way an exposé on SL or even about Linden Labs, itself. It's a piece about the sociology of online worlds, and I'm interested in writing experientially about what life is like in SL, what the culture of the place is like, and what some of the unfortunate results of the kind of freedom it expouses has on honest residents in the form of griefers and the like.

It's bizarre for Linden Labs to be locking these threads. Surely they know it will only result in negative publicity for them.

It's one thing for LL to control their own employees from speaking to the media, but now they're trying to suppress customer viewpoints as well?

If I were a journalist, I'd be sure to highlight this issue.

-peekay

Ironically, they leave the pathetic attempt at begging for money unlocked, but lock threads that have some very good and diverse views, that also have many good ideas on what can be done crossing over in and out of game.

I am very glad when LL establishes bona fides on people asking questions. You may not like it, but I do.

<------------------------- Baltimore Maryland.


I'd be happy to talk.

You talk? Never! *cue dramatic faint*