Reflection on Coming of Age in Second Life

     In Tom Boellstorff’s Coming of Age in Second Life, Boellstorff chronicles a history of virtual worlds that have existed for many years, long before the technology of Second Life or other programs came into existence. I found it interesting how he discussed writing and the media as a form of virtual worlds in the past. Especially in his example of pen pals, it is easy to see how a virtual world was created, much like those now created online, for people who otherwise would never be able to have a relationship could interact. I don’t think I would have come to the realization that pen pals were a type of virtual world without Boellstorff’s suggestion because virtual worlds are very technologically based in my mind. But I came to see how the definition of technology can be broadened and therefore keep that link intact in my mind. I realized this with Aristotle’s definition that “the goal of techne was thus to create what nature found impossible to accomplish” (pg. 55). With that definition, I can more easily visualize how more activities (like the press) can be seen as technology and creating a virtual world.    

     In addition to finding it interesting to realize that virtual worlds have existed for much longer than computers have been around, I found it very intriguing how much Second Life mimics the physical world in that people can make real US dollars from selling things in the game and that people buy real estate, form communities, attend meetings, etc. I think it is incredible that some residents, like Fran, use Second Life to form support communities and connect with others dealing with the same illness or disease. It’s incredible that with technology these patients can still easily be together, even though it could be challenging to get them all in the same room in the physical world. I was also fascinated by the fact that fundraisers occurred within the realm of Second Life, to raise funds for things like Parkinson’s or the American Cancer Society. As someone who is deeply involved with Dance Marathon, a huge fundraiser, on campus, I found it really interesting to imagine what it would be like to plan a fundraiser in a virtual world.

     It is because of these activities that I agree with the author that virtual worlds are not post-human like some suggest. Everything that goes on in Second Life is very human. The residents are connecting with other people and creating new relationships that they would not be otherwise able to create. I think they are trying to become more human and connected by joining a virtual world like Second Life and not trying to move beyond their humanness. Being a resident of Second Life is simply adding to the residents’ life and personhood. Like the author quoted John Campbell saying, the “online and offline experiences blend into a single, albeit multifaceted, narrative of life” (pg. 61).