My safe word is Ctrl-Alt-Del
Posted by Burgess
Myg and I are stepping out of our Wei ’08 satire a moment to talk about some of the recent Second Life political issues that concern us. During her office hours earlier this week, Robin Linden met with a number of Second Life residents. The transcript of the conversation was posted in its entirety at the United Protest forum site.
Though there are many good clarifications in the conversation, there was one statement that was so disturbing we had to post about it (as a few others have).
[11:25] Robin Linden: Let me ask you all this. When faced with an opportunity to create a new world where things are supposed to be better, do you think there’s a place for slavery, forced sex, and the like?
Robin’s question seems to reflect some deep confusion about the boundary between the real and virtual worlds. As others have pointed out, there is no actual “slavery, forced sex, and the like” in Second Life. There is only consensual roleplay in a virtual chat. And given that we all maintain complete control of our avatars in Second Life, that couldn’t be more different from “slavery” or “forced sex.”
We understand that some are uncomfortable with role play involving sexual deviance and violence. It’s not like we haven’t raised questions ourselves about certain activities. However, role play is participatory fiction. It is similar to theater, film or novels. We do not want to create a world where we cannot write about subjects like slavery or forced sex–topics that are central to many great works of art and literature.
Fiction is not a crime; to argue so is to argue in favor of censorship. Similarly, role play is not crime and attempts to categorize, restrict or ban it in Second Life feel similar to book burnings and thought policing.
However, we do understand that some Second Life residents get easily confused about where real life ends and virtual reality begins. Therefore we’ve created the following handy guide to safety for those feeing unsafe in Second Life.
1. Stay out of free sex, Gorean, structured role play and combat areas.
2. Mute residents who are role playing scenes that make you uncomfortable, or
3. Teleport to a PG area. (We hear that Governor Linden’s mansion is always open.)
If those don’t work, just log off and go for a walk. But be careful. The real world gives you far fewer options for protecting yourself from harm.
A well written opinion! I love your blog! /hugs
Aw! Thanks Seraphine. Glad you enjoy reading it.
Did you just steal my hug Myg?
um, yes?
I love that quote of the question by Robin Linden – and moreso all of the responses her rhetorical sounding questions garnered during that chat. I cannot believe she asked that question in all sincerity. I mean really, wtf? Does she really think the forced sex and slavery in SL is real? No one else who has read the transcript does. Linden sure seems to be going through some interesting policy change considerations these days. Just hope they aren’t being distracted from issues which help keep SL functioning.
[...] this post, blog or the SLelections in any way offends you, look beyond ‘AR’ and follow Myg & Alex’s handy guide to resolve that matter. This is policital roleplay. We kid ourselves that Linden Lab endorses this [...]
“If those don’t work, just log off and go for a walk. But be careful. The real world gives you far fewer options for protecting yourself from harm.” Right on the spot!
I have been following these “SLelections” from aside, but this strikes it all.
I think the Linden’s are too much involved in SL, to have a sober look in these things. I keep my second life as it is, without roleplay, without politics.
I will go for a free SL!;)