Game Journal Entry 5 Tue, Jan 27: Second Life Social Skills
Background Info
Normally I wouldn't be playing Second Life, but I'm here exploring it because we're having a class inside in the game itself. The class I'm in is called "State of Play: Digital Culture, Virtual Worlds" and is a 5 credit course at the University of Washington. Here's the boilerplate for my interested friends and readers:
"Virtual Worlds are an ever-growing presence that is reshaping society and creating a cultural phenomenon bringing the Internet to the forefront of people’s lives. Games have and will continue to become a major part of our culture today and a key component of the ever-growing digital entertainment industry. Drawing on a wide variety of examples and disciplines, this class will look at the video game industry with particular emphasis on game worlds and virtual worlds such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. Topics include: overview of virtual worlds, aesthetics and design, narrative and character development, visual design, usability and UI development, sociological and psychological dimensions of games, play, identity and community. We will also look at other types of virtual worlds being developed today for entertainment, education, and work. "
Seeking Like-Minds to Socialize With
I wander around in Second Life looking for interest groups to socialize in. I got to one of the starter areas listed in under Landmarks in my inventory. I'm a shy person, so I listen into the conversation before chatting. I was very disheartened to hear people give derogatory remarks aimed at strangers both in voice chat and in the general text chat. Another person starts playing the sound track of a porno. It was like a middle school play yard filled with jack asses.
I quickly got disgusted and tried searching for another location to find people to chat with. I try and go for one of the educational sites listed in the search. I decide to visit a replica of an art museum found in Germany. I spend about an hour or so looking at the art and listening to commentary. The halls are eerily empty. There are no direct social connections to be found here.
I then try going to a dance club. I know these places are for singles so I probably will find someone to talk to. I small chat with a male avatar for a while talk about the game, how they got into it, and what they think of it so far. We dance for a while and comment on the DJ, who is streaming music live into the game. I get propositioned and I politely decline. I'm happily married and the idea of cybersex with another man is just wrong. I start feeling guilty for being there and decide to leave.
I got the name of another Second Life player in my State of Play class. I start chatting with him via IMs, asking if there are any social areas to hang out at. He forwards me a few Landmarks to my inventory. I try making small chat with him, but he seems disinterested or is busy with other tasks. My limit is about 2 hours, so I give up on Second Life and move on to other things.
Social Skills in the Virtual World
So far I'm finding it difficult to get into social circles. Sounds kinda like real life. Why is it sometimes difficult getting into social groups? The strongest endorsement a person can have into a social group would be a friend introducing a friend. Without that you have to rely upon your own social competence in order to be successful within a social group. Its a skill set that includes both verbal and non verbal behaviors that are valuable. Such skills also bring forth positive reactions from others.
Would such skills be easier or harder to learn in a virtual world environment? There is a potential tool here for teaching social skills to those who have difficulty learning social skills in the normal methods. I do believe that you are guaranteed social contact if you enter in a virtual world as oppose to the real world, because people enter the virtual world with the intention of social interaction. Furthermore search tools and grouping tools make it easier to find other people. Virtual worlds also provide a sense of security for our physical selves. This gives us freedom to hone specific social skills like empathy or how to express feelings in an appropriate matter without the worry of telegraphing additional (sometimes unintentionally and conflicting) information through our bodies or voices. Virtual worlds also give people the ability to control the social learning environment, where as the real world may be chaotic or unpredictable.
Normally I wouldn't be playing Second Life, but I'm here exploring it because we're having a class inside in the game itself. The class I'm in is called "State of Play: Digital Culture, Virtual Worlds" and is a 5 credit course at the University of Washington. Here's the boilerplate for my interested friends and readers:
"Virtual Worlds are an ever-growing presence that is reshaping society and creating a cultural phenomenon bringing the Internet to the forefront of people’s lives. Games have and will continue to become a major part of our culture today and a key component of the ever-growing digital entertainment industry. Drawing on a wide variety of examples and disciplines, this class will look at the video game industry with particular emphasis on game worlds and virtual worlds such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. Topics include: overview of virtual worlds, aesthetics and design, narrative and character development, visual design, usability and UI development, sociological and psychological dimensions of games, play, identity and community. We will also look at other types of virtual worlds being developed today for entertainment, education, and work. "
Seeking Like-Minds to Socialize With
I wander around in Second Life looking for interest groups to socialize in. I got to one of the starter areas listed in under Landmarks in my inventory. I'm a shy person, so I listen into the conversation before chatting. I was very disheartened to hear people give derogatory remarks aimed at strangers both in voice chat and in the general text chat. Another person starts playing the sound track of a porno. It was like a middle school play yard filled with jack asses.
I quickly got disgusted and tried searching for another location to find people to chat with. I try and go for one of the educational sites listed in the search. I decide to visit a replica of an art museum found in Germany. I spend about an hour or so looking at the art and listening to commentary. The halls are eerily empty. There are no direct social connections to be found here.
I then try going to a dance club. I know these places are for singles so I probably will find someone to talk to. I small chat with a male avatar for a while talk about the game, how they got into it, and what they think of it so far. We dance for a while and comment on the DJ, who is streaming music live into the game. I get propositioned and I politely decline. I'm happily married and the idea of cybersex with another man is just wrong. I start feeling guilty for being there and decide to leave.
I got the name of another Second Life player in my State of Play class. I start chatting with him via IMs, asking if there are any social areas to hang out at. He forwards me a few Landmarks to my inventory. I try making small chat with him, but he seems disinterested or is busy with other tasks. My limit is about 2 hours, so I give up on Second Life and move on to other things.
Social Skills in the Virtual World
So far I'm finding it difficult to get into social circles. Sounds kinda like real life. Why is it sometimes difficult getting into social groups? The strongest endorsement a person can have into a social group would be a friend introducing a friend. Without that you have to rely upon your own social competence in order to be successful within a social group. Its a skill set that includes both verbal and non verbal behaviors that are valuable. Such skills also bring forth positive reactions from others.
Would such skills be easier or harder to learn in a virtual world environment? There is a potential tool here for teaching social skills to those who have difficulty learning social skills in the normal methods. I do believe that you are guaranteed social contact if you enter in a virtual world as oppose to the real world, because people enter the virtual world with the intention of social interaction. Furthermore search tools and grouping tools make it easier to find other people. Virtual worlds also provide a sense of security for our physical selves. This gives us freedom to hone specific social skills like empathy or how to express feelings in an appropriate matter without the worry of telegraphing additional (sometimes unintentionally and conflicting) information through our bodies or voices. Virtual worlds also give people the ability to control the social learning environment, where as the real world may be chaotic or unpredictable.