Virtual Journalism Summit -Phillip Rosedale

This morning I attended the first ever virtual journalism summit at Washington State University. I spent an hour listening to Linden Lab chairman and Second Life founder Phillip Rosedale. He spoke on several different topics including the educational benefits that the virtual world could offer as well as the role that people’s avatars play in Second Life.

In regard to education, Rosedale presented a situation where border patrol agents were being trained on Second Life to look for certain contraband in cars in the virtual world. I found this very interesting and useful to the students taking the course. It’s an interesting idea to use the virtual world as a tool for the real world.

Rosedale also spoke on the issue of avatars in the virtual world. I found it interesting that he believes that an avatar could be more accurate in describing a person than the actual person in reality. I do think that to a certain extent the virtual world opens doors for better communication and freedom of expression but I also believe very strongly that communication in reality is important. I think that the users of Second Life should be aware that while the virtual world is fun and can be used as a great tool for communication and learning, it cannot replace life in the physical world.