Wednesday, 20 May 2009 22:49
One day, I received an invitation, by way of instant message. It read, Join me on Silicon Island for a performance of the Sinfonia of Leeds Sunday afternoon. Although this was a public event, the host, Liam Kanno sent a personal invitation to those on his friends list. Without doubt, this would be an impressive and eccentric audience of powerful business people, live music enthusiasts, culture-hungry socialites and new age media pioneers. I accepted the invitation, not sure which category I was in, but certainly, I was in.
The day of the event, I went through my inventory of clothes. After several wardrobe changes in a matter of a few minutes, I decided on a classic black and white hounds tooth camisole with black prudence skirt and black high heeled shoes. I wore my hair down, with my favorite black and ruby choker and diamond stud earrings. Reminding my husband of the time, ten minutes until show time, youd better get dressed, he easily changed from surfer shorts and tee shirt to a crisp, clean designer suit with tie clip and sunglasses. We looked fabulous, ready to go, and right on time.
We arrived at the crowded open air pavilion under a perfect blue sky. Giving a minute to acclimate, we stood still until everything came into clear view. We turned our music on and adjusted the volume. The orchestra was just warming up. Though we had a choice of front row seats, we chose to sit in the back where we could easily stand up and walk around without the commotion of bumping in to anyone, or anything. The view is the same from the front or back, depending on camera position, so we decided our seats based on ease of motion.
The orchestra assembled on stage and the show began to the delight of the waiting audience. The click-ety clack of chat fell silent as solo violinist, Anna Paderborn arrived on the stage wearing a stunning red flowing gown and diamond accessories. For over two hours, the heavenly sounds of the 76 piece symphony orchestra playing live from Surrey, England surround us.
During those two hours, I made lunch for my kids, made a few phone calls, answered instant messages and sorted through the mail, email, that is. You see, I attended the live performance of the Sinfonia of Leeds as an avatar in SecondLife®, the virtual world phenomenon.
This is a true story that took place in 2007. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and we have done so many times since then at other places and at Molaskey's Pub. This is just an example of one civilized way in which to use the virtual world. It's very much like television, in this case, perhaps a special PBS presentation of a symphony. The key difference between television and Second Life® is interaction. Television is non-interactive. You tune in to a program and 'veg-out'. When you log on to the virtual world and attend (or in television terms, 'tune in to') a symphony, you are a participating as a member of the audience. There may be dress codes and rules of ettiquette to follow for certain events. The interactive 'nature' of the virtual world offers boundless ways in which to display creative expression and have meaningful conversations with others in attendance, just as if you would attending a real-world concert. You may also find yourself in a private chat with friends who are also logged in and perhaps attending simultaneous events elsewhere. It is like nothing else in the world. Welcome to the virtual world of SecondLife®.
