Topic: Religion and Spirituality

Different religions in Second Life are practiced much like they are in real life in virtual mosques, temples, churches, and cathedrals.

Introductory Essay: Exploration of Second Life

The first time that I teleported I was reminded of the famous quote, “Beam me up Scotty” from William Shatner’s character, Captain James Kirk of the Star Trek Enterprise. This system of transportation is very common within the world of Second Life. Throughout Second Life there are different Islands in which an individual’s character called an avatar can navigate. As a student of the University of Central Missouri in English Composition II two of the most notable places within Second Life that I have become accustomed with are Virtual Harlem and Selmo Park. Virtual Harlem is where the classroom that English Compostion II classes meet in Second Life. It is a recreation of Harlem, NY in the 1930’s and 40’s. It has a cozy atmosphere almost as though you are sitting at club late at night in a cozy chair listening to the man on the piano as you have another round of “soda.” The rich red carpet and stained glass window almost have a cool art-deco feel. The big black chairs seem to envelope even the largest avatars as they sit and listen to Dr. Carter. This relaxed environment makes one feel quite comfortable, which is important especially if one is new to the world of Second Life. The other environment that most UCM students become acquainted with in Second Life is Selmo Park. Selmo Park is an actual location in real life where the President of the University of Central Missouri currently lives. In Second Life Selmo Park is the home of the library where our virtual librarians can be found for assistance. This place is truly what its name states a park. It has a light and open feel where one can stroll through the open pavilions, or take a walk down by the dock and view the sea. Selmo Park may seem very simple and scenic but its ability to access the resources of the library at the University of Central Missouri makes it remarkably valuable to students in need of research assistance. The green grass, trees and blue water make Selmo Park easy on the eyes and the friendliness of the virtual librarians make it a useful tool not only for students at the University of Central Missouri, but any and all students within the Second Life world. As vast as Second Life seems to be there is a real treasure right in our backyard.

Introductory Essay: Avatar Personal Appearance

When I began to create my avatar my intent was to create a character that represented a combination of several other fictional characters. Trevor Mnemonic in Second Life has many features similar to the wizard Gandalf, from J.R.R Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings. This is reflected through his height and his long flowing white hair and beard. Another character in mind for the appearance of my avatar was Obi-Wan Kenobi from George Lucas’ Star Wars. The blue eyes and rosy cheeks are very much similar to Obi-Wan’s. The facial expression of Trevor Mnemonic can be most closely associated with the typical expression that Clint Eastwood displays in many of his movies. This almost squinting seriousness creates the appearance that my avatar is constantly sizing up the things that he sees within his new environment. When it comes to clothing, my newness to the world of Second Life becomes quite evident as my avatar’s wardrobe is not quite yet what I would like it to be. I hope to outfit my avatar with a brown leather jacket, faded blue jeans, boots and some aviator sunglasses. I would like to create the appearance of a real tough guy. A character very much like “Dirty Harry” with the wisdom and knowledge of an “Obi-Wan” could be the desired result I would like to achieve. The age of my avatar to some may seem like somewhat of a mystery. In that respected his age is intended to be a mystery. So many great stories involve old men. One of my favorite is by Ernest Hemingway titled The Old Man and the Sea. This story had an impact on me as well in the appearance of my avatar as I have always had great respect for those who are old and the wisdom that they might possess because of life experience. That and many times I feel like an old man trapped in a young man’s body. My avatar may look stern and serious, but I think he is also very unique as many that I have encountered within second life seem to be the perfected selves of the individuals that created them. I chose not to create the appearance of my avatar in this way because there is something very real and very human about a man who appears old and worn. He is a reminder to me as an individual that we are always close to death and that over time I will begin to decay. While Trevor Mnemonic may not look exactly like me his appearance represents much of who I really am.

Quotation

The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis. -Dante Alighieri

Quotation

Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. -John Donne

Hey Everyone

This is Trevor's Blog