Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Heron Sanctuary helps the disabled find a Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/the-heron-sanctuary-helps-the-disabled-find-a-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/the-heron-sanctuary-helps-the-disabled-find-a-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/the-heron-sanctuary-helps-the-disabled-find-a-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


An element inherent in virtual worlds that the mainstream press frequently misses (or deliberately ignores in favor of the more sensational aspects), is that your avatar can be everything you want to be, but for whatever reason, can't be. And while this has led many with otherwise socially-debilitating conditions to achieve a degree of happiness and freedom, there are relatively few organizations devoted to helping disabled people realize new social lives through virtual worlds.

I previously wrote about Fez Rutherford's 2nDisability, but here's another wonderful example of people reaching out to help others: The Heron Sanctuary in Second Life. Eureka Dejavu and Schmilsson Nilsson (previously podcasted here) graciously give some space on their blog 'Dispatches From a Virtual World' to Widget Whiteberry, who talks about the importance of making connections over the Web and founding a virtual community for disabled individuals. It's a worthwhile read and serves to refute the assertions by so many naysayers that there's nothing of value to be had in SL.

[Thanks, Schmilsson!]

MassivelyThe Heron Sanctuary helps the disabled find a Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2ndisabilitycommunitydisabilitydisableddispatches-from-a-virtual-worldeureka-dejavufez-rutherfordheron-sanctuaryschmilsson-nilssonsecond-lifevirtual-worldswidget-whiteberryTue, 29 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[On the Inside, Episode 20: Eureka Dejavu and Schmilsson Nilsson]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/on-the-inside-episode-20-eureka-dejavu-and-schmilsson-nilsson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/on-the-inside-episode-20-eureka-dejavu-and-schmilsson-nilsson/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/on-the-inside-episode-20-eureka-dejavu-and-schmilsson-nilsson/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Welcome to the twentieth episode of On the Inside, the podcast that lets you take a peek at the virtual world of Second Life!

This episode features Eureka Dejavu, real life name Rita J. King, investigative reporter, blogger for the Huffington Post, and founder of Dancing Ink Productions; and Schmilsson Nilsson, real life name Joshua Fouts, Director of the Center on Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California. In this episode, we discuss the Macarthur Foundation and their ongoing research into virtual worlds, the positive power of transformation, and Star Wars Galaxies. (Note: This interview was conducted on October 30th.)

As always, I welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions for future topics/interviewees. Drop me a line!

To hear all eighteen previous episodes, click here to access the Second Life Insider podcast archives.

[Mp3] Download the MP3 directly

MassivelyOn the Inside, Episode 20: Eureka Dejavu and Schmilsson Nilsson originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>center-on-public-diplomacydancing-ink-productionseureka-dejavuhuffington-postjoshua-foutsmacarthur-grant-foundationmassivelyon-the-insidepodcastrita-kingschmilsson-nilssonsecond-lifesecond-life-insiderstar-wars-galaxiesuniversity-of-southern-californiaSat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 ESTOn the Inside, Episode 20: Eureka Dejavu and Schmilsson NilssonAkela Talamasca46:31on-the-inside; podcast; eureka-dejavu; rita-king; joshua-fouts; schmilsson-nilsson<![CDATA[Public diplomacy through jazz in Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/public-diplomacy-through-jazz-in-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/public-diplomacy-through-jazz-in-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/15/public-diplomacy-through-jazz-in-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Rita J. KingIn the days of Second Life Insider, before becoming Massviely, we had already reported on USC microcontinent and Annenberg Island, home of the USC Center for Public Diplomacy at the Annenberg School in Second Life. We had also reported on the arrival of the MacArthur Foundation and their desire to understand virtual worlds and support activities that support their main aims that happen to operate within this environment.

Eureka Dejavu, also known as Rita J. King, is one of those exploring Second Life for the MacArthur Foundation, and as part of her work she attended Black Watch, a play and discussion about morality and violence, and the Virtual Jazz Festival hosted by the US State Department on Annenberg Island. Obviously rather different in style as well as location, but both fostering the ideals of peaceful cultural exchange rather than an exchange of bullets. Her piece makes for a good read of itself, and her blog is well worth a look as it presents a view on Second Life as a tool for developing consciousness and morality.

MassivelyPublic diplomacy through jazz in Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Black-WatchConsciousnessDancing-InkDiplomacyEureka-DejavuMacArthur-FoundationSecond-LifeState-DepartmentUSCVirtual-Jazz-FestialThu, 15 Nov 2007 15:01:00 EST