Second Life, the immensely popular three-dimensional virtual world, is really starting to take on a life of its own. There are things going on in there that have undoubtedly gone beyond the wildest expectations of its developers.
The latest issue to grab my attention is the phenomenon of in-world terrorism and the rise of self-professed freedom fighters. These folks aren't your run-of-the-mill hackers or griefers looking to cause mischief. Rather, these are 'activists' who are working subversively within Second Life (SL) to achieve political ends. Their goal is to extend digital rights for SL users beyond the standard customer-company relationship. Subsequently, by dealing with current in-world problems they are, perhaps unintentionally, looking ahead to the day when Second Life and other virtual worlds play a much more meaningful role in our lives.
Avatars of Second Life, unite!
Specifically, I am referring to the Second Life Liberation Army (SLLA). Their intention is to liberate SL users from the perceived tyranny of Linden Labs, the developer of SL. The group was formed as the in-world paramilitary wing of a national liberation movement. They argue that universal suffrage is a right that should be established within SL immediately. The SLLA, who is led by 'political officer' Marshal Cahill, contends that Linden Labs has gone beyond its mandate and is now functioning as a de facto authoritarian government. Consequently, they see in-world fighting as the "only appropriate response."
Annoyed by the steady encroachment of corporations like Reebok and IBM, the SLLA works to undermine their virtual presence through disruption — what has been dubbed in-world terrorism. They set off "atomic bombs" and fire guns at other users. Their shenanigans are often posted on YouTube.
Obviously no one really gets hurt, but the intention is to create annoyances that will make the gaming experience uncomfortable and bring attention to their struggle. They say they will not seek to harm the normal operation of the world and will only attack "agents of the state" and other strategically important sites within SL.
The SLLA demands are,
The establishment of basic 'rights' for Second Life Players. Having consulted widely we now believe the best vehicle for this is for Linden Labs to offer public shares in the company. We propose that each player is able to buy one share for a set-price. This would serve both the development of the world and provide the beginnings of representation for avatars in Second Life.
A growing concern among users is land scarcity. Second Life has experienced such rapid growth that Linden Labs has been unable to keep up with the demand, which has in turn created land scarcity. Corporations, say the SLLA, are scooping up land and putting up eye sores.
Article comments
1 - Prokofy Neva
I'm fairly certain the SLAA is fake, a concoction by metaversal development companies to sort of spoof and guide the media coverage of dissent in SL, to make it look ridiculous and a caricature of itself, and thereby discredit any dissent. Each time some serious criticism or movement gets going in the world, like the Tsar's Secret Police concoction Prompartiya, the SLAA appears and grabs headlines so that the real issues are ignored.
If they didn't exist, someone would have to invent them; and so they did. No one ever heard of them before American Apparel was opened; they have no indigenous roots at all.
It's funny to me that you're just tuning into dissent that seems to fit into some transhumanist worldview of yours, George, and you've ignored other kinds of dissent from liberal to conservative that goes on all the time in SL. You have the long-term problem of people permabanned from the company forums and blogs for critical expression; you have people even permanently expelled who are non-conformists in various ways while a blind eye is turned to those who are privileged coders -- they're given a pass.
I've led the call for demanding a collective seat on the board of Linden Lab for all those paying tier, or maintenance fees -- which now make up 80 percent of LL's bottom line, and are their chief source of revenue. Nothing about us/without us, I say. Profound changes are inflicted on the world and we have little say in them. Ways must be found to ensure representation of all kinds of classes of people -- non-verified no-payment accounts; educators' free accounts, etc.
Imagine, in keeping with a rigid, orthodox notion of "the wisdom of crowds," the Feature Voting Tool does not enable you to vote "no"; it's like a Soviet republic, only yes, and only yes to what already fits the Company's line.
The SLAA never takes up any of the inworld issues and never really grapples with the serious issues of corporate accountability in the real world, in areas such as extractive industries. Instead, it's a caricature of a radical movement with artwork that looks suspiciously like the builders of American Apparel itself -- it's a kind of gag, no doubt, a marketing stunt that lots of people have fallen for.
I do hope you take a closer look at SL and become familiar with the inworld and outworld corporate influence issues. I think the word needs more critical perspectives from all types of worldviews.
More avatar rights are bound to come, but these notions of endless land or property or creativity for everyone has to run smack up to the problem of who pays. Like freedom of the press belongs to him who owns one, maneuverability of governance in SL belongs to those who own land.
2 - Keksakallu Klata
I think Prokofy Neva's tirade is rather ill-informed and prejudiced.
If anyone wants to know if we in the SLLA are sincere or not, why speculate? Come and talk to us inworld. You will meet scores of serious and intelligent people committed to securing a representative institution for avatars.
Keksakallu Klata, Strategy Officer, SLLA