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:



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.

Well, all the cool kids are doing it, so here goes...

You Are An INTJ

The Scientist You have a head for ideas - and you are good at improving systems. Logical and strategic, you prefer for everything in your life to be organized. You tend to be a bit skeptical. You're both critical of yourself and of others. Independent and stubborn, you tend to only befriend those who are a lot like you. In love, you are always striving to improve your relationship. You have strong ideas of what love should be like. At work, you excel in figuring out difficult tasks. People think of you as "the brain." You would make an excellent scientist, engineer, or programmer. How you see yourself: Reasonable, knowledgeable, and competent When other people don't get you, they see you as: Aloof, controlling, and insensitive

Hmmm, I guess so. I see myself as reasonable and knowledgable, but hardly competent.

These things are like horoscopes. You can always find something in the result that fits your idea of yourself. Also, there were so many questions on the quiz that I wanted to answer yes to both options.

Internet memes are like a silly party game - you feel like an ass when you do them, but you look like an even bigger ass if you don't participate. I've been tagged with some sort of pernicious meme virus which apparently won't go away until I post this and it has transfered itself to you. Don't bother looking away from the screen, you are already infected. It's like the cursed videotape from "The Ring" - show it to seven other people within 7 days or...well, I won't jump out of your monitor, but you'll feel really bad that you didn't finish it. Right?

OK, here's the rules:

• Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
• People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
• At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
• Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

The rules say "random", but I can't help but wonder if people are just posting amusing stuff about themselves they want to share.  I decided to be anal-retentive about the whole thing and actually answer 8 totally random questions about myself.  Surprisingly, the internet delivers on this readily at any number of "random question" sites.  Here's one.  I visited the site and took the top 8 questions.  Here goes...

When was the last time you cried?   
Sad crying?  It's been a while, probably around the somewhat messy end of my first SL relationship.  I've cried alone on the beach in Okinawa a couple times.  Just sat there alone and cried in open chat.

Happy crying would be, hands down, during the opening of Extropia.  The fireworks were going off and the music was just right, and it just came out of me.

Have you ever faked sick?   
Nope.  I haven't caught a cold since coming to SL.  Something in the water?

What was the last lie you said?   
A friend mentioned to me that she had found some new cybernetic eyes that I would love. I feigned interest because I didn't want to hurt her feelings by telling her that I'll never change from the ones I have.

Have you ever cried during a movie?   
I don't cry much, not since ET anyway, but I do get choked up very easily, and I totally get "into" the movie and the characters if they're at all engaging. And soundtracks, god...the right music at the right moment just makes me all misty.

There was that one time, though...ever see "Silent Running"? That part at the end where the ship just floats off into space and the drones are still taking care of the plants?  Yeah, at least one box of tissues.

Who was the last person you couldn't take your eyes off of?   

Umm...are we talking about in a physical fashion?  If so, that would be Vidal Tripsa, she of the plunging necklines. 

If we're just talking about "what a cool AV!" I would say my friend Masami.  Every time I see her she has a different outfit on, all Japanese themed, all cool.

Have you ever danced in the rain?   
Let me put it this way...go to Tycho Beach and say "rain on" in open chat.  Question answered. I don't have the dance balls in yet, but they're on my list.

Have you ever been drunk?   
Surprisingly not.  I love martinis (dry, with an olive), but I never seem to have time to finish one.  Stuff keeps coming up.  My human is a teetotaler by the way, I come to SL to live out my vicarious fantasies of alcoholic consumption (among other things).

Have you ever tried tried drugs?
Nope, never have and never will, in either world.  Besides, my internet and SL addictions are bad enough.

And there you have it.  Funny, even totally random questions tell more about me than I expected.

Now, I'm supposed to tag people, but my meme antibodies are strong.  If you're interested in this sort of thing go for it and link back to me.  If you're not, get back to more productive things like surfing the net and posting on your blog.

nox_pinion started out a new meme: What have you learned over the last few months.  Well, I've only been here about a month, but I'll give it a shot.  I promise to try not to be too weepy and introspective like I usually am...

1. Say hello to complete strangers on a regular basis.  You will be surprised, for better or for worse.

2. Although people with AOL names like SexyGuy1972 are usually wierdos, people with names like "Bondagepony Goalpost" turn out to be surprisingly nice

3. There is a time and a place to ignore your surroundings and sort through your inventory.  Standing in front of a Japanese Love Hotel while wearing a suggestive outfit is not one of these times.  (I swear I didn't read the sign on the building!)

4. The RL person who sent you here probably sent along some baggage that's holding you down...lose it.  Find out who you want to be here, and be that person here.  If it rubs off on your RL self, great...if not, also great.  Just live for god's sake!

5. Poseballs are some of the greatest conversation starters in SL.

6. Do not play with your big sister's bondage equipment unsupervised, unless you have read the manual first.

7. You will find more amazing outfits than you can possibly afford.  Set up a favorite items list on SLExchange as a long term shopping list.  Pace yourself...Yeah, right!

8. Clothes do more than tell people who you are.  They tell you who you are.  Choose your outfits accordingly.

9. Every time you think you're going to throw in the towel and just fade away from this world, give it just one more day.  Someone or something always comes along that'll renew your faith in SL.

10.  There is no number 10

::Argent Out::