argent_bury (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} argent_bury) wrote,@ 2008-02-29 12:29:00 |
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| Current mood: |  thoughtful |
| Entry tags: | meme, meta |
Meme - Statement of Principles and Goals
There's a meme at the end of this, but first an explanation as to why it may be worth your time...
There's been a lot of back and forth over the last couple days about Immersionism and Augmentation. Most of it largely unproductive, people shouting at each other, with only the best among them listening and debating. Much of it seems to be argument about the very meaning of the words, which no one can agree on. There's probably some gems to be gleaned from both of these series arguments, but I wonder if we're missing the point.
Concrete statments: Actions we will and won't take in-world. What does trust mean to us? Open statements about what we want out of SL. Honesty about what (if any) FL benefit we are looking to take from the world (and "none, other than enjoyment" is a perfectly valid answer).
These are the things we should be showing others, because they are not debatable, they are what we are. *Then* we can proceed with the real question: given those beliefs and personal principles, can we build a place/system that lets us live together, and if so, how? What social structures can be built to allow virtual denizens of varying beliefs to live together? What kind of rules can both sides abide by without compromising their principes?
Screw definitions...leave that to the ancient Greeks. Let's state our principles and personal goals, line by line, and start to find common ground. Because it may be valid to argue drinking Coca Cola is bad for you, but only a dick is going to argue that you don't actually like it.
Here are some rules I live by, and some things I like:
2. I like being me, Argent Bury, not "my human playacting Argent Bury". Consistent, coherent, real, me.
3. I don't ask for do-overs, and I stand by my actions. If I do something bad it may be because I'm a bad person and deserve what I get, or an honest mistake, or there may be a misunderstanding or a conflict of interests, but I'll never say "I was just roleplaying".
4. I like that SL frees me from all sorts of real world constraints and frankly, I like letting my hair down for a couple hours a day. I like being creative, I like exchanging ideas, I like being a cyborg, and yes, I love the kinky sex and the drinking and dancing and all of it. I like it just as much as my human likes having a fairly "normal" and stable existence. Both of us are comfortable with who we are, and neither of us really wants to be the other.
5. A trip to Vegas means you can gamble, drink, and wake up in bed with someone you met last night for the first time. It doesn't mean you can shoot hookers and drive down the strip at 80mph. In other words, I want to be less inhibited than my human, but I don't want to be a bitch about it and leave a lot of bodies on the ground. So, responsible fun, coupled with communication and openness. Actually, the longer I'm here the stuffier and more proper I get, except around friends. Go figure. Must be because I live in a house (spaceship) and have a daughter (from the future).
6. I don't give out atomic world data, and I don't expect it. I'm also not looking to meet people in the atomic world. Honestly, I feel this is the most important thing that people need to be clear up front about. Once everyone involved is on the level with this, people can decide how they want to interact with each other. If either side in an interaction lies about these two points, or believes they can break down the other side's resolve on these two points, or thinks the other side is just playing coy (the "Digital Pretense"), then people will get hurt.
7. If I ever did give out a piece of atomic world data, it damn well better be true. I can bring out a different aspect of my inner self here, but I don't get to make false claims about my atomic self, period.
8. For me, you are what you say you are until you prove otherwise. I watch for consistent, coherent behavior. Intelligence and politeness are plusses too. People's in-world history, behavior, and reputation matter a lot more to me than any claims of atomic world legitimacy. I act as if all of the above things apply to me too.
9. And lastly, and most importantly, I am nothing here without my friends and family. Because of all the pleasures I have found in SL things like building something with others, and being needed, and being useful, and being loved are the most fun of all.
OK...meme time:
If you are so inclined, give me a few rules you live by in SL, and a few things you get out of being here. Don't talk about your expectations on others, talk about you. I did 9 things, which is a bit much. Do how ever many you need, no more. Post links in the comments column. Pass it on.
