[2008/11/26 13:02] Schmilsson Nilsson: Welcome!
[2008/11/26 13:02] Daffodil Fargis: Hi. Thanks!
...
[2008/11/26 13:12] Daffodil Fargis: What was your motivatin to join Sl?
[2008/11/26 13:12] Schmilsson Nilsson: Would you like to have a seat at all?
[2008/11/26 13:12] Daffodil Fargis: Oh, yes. Thanks!
[2008/11/26 13:13] Schmilsson Nilsson: My motivation to join SL was to explore it's potential for intercultural dialog.
[2008/11/26 13:13] Daffodil Fargis: I see. So a professional interest
[2008/11/26 13:13] Daffodil Fargis: Does that have anything to do with your RL job/profession?
[2008/11/26 13:13] Schmilsson Nilsson: Yes it does.
[2008/11/26 13:14] Schmilsson Nilsson: I have for most of my life been an avid gamer. And I played a number of massively multiplayer online games.
[2008/11/26 13:15] Schmilsson Nilsson: I noticed in 2003 in the MMO Star Wars Galaxies that people from disparate cultures were building close relationships outside of their cultural boundaries.
[2008/11/26 13:15] Schmilsson Nilsson: I've blogged a bit about this here: http://eurekadejavu.blogspot.com/2008/05/understanding-islam-through-virtual.html
[2008/11/26 13:15] Daffodil Fargis: Thanks!
[2008/11/26 13:16] Schmilsson Nilsson: I got a grant in 2004 to explore how games could be used to bridge dialog between cultures.
[2008/11/26 13:16] Schmilsson Nilsson: The grant funded a contest call the "Public Diplomacy through Games" competition.
[2008/11/26 13:16] Daffodil Fargis: Fantastic
[2008/11/26 13:16] Schmilsson Nilsson: Most all of the entries we received were games built within Second Life.
[2008/11/26 13:16] Schmilsson Nilsson: I had heard about Second Life and been interested but had no idea that it was both culturally diverse and a platform for game design.
[2008/11/26 13:17] Daffodil Fargis: Wonderful, isn't it?
[2008/11/26 13:17] Daffodil Fargis: How important is the looks of your avatar to you?
[2008/11/26 13:17] Schmilsson Nilsson: After that project completed in 2005 I got a supplemental grant called "Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds," to explore how people who self-identify as Muslim and or want to learn about Islam are doing so in SL.
[2008/11/26 13:17] Daffodil Fargis: And: Have you spent a lot of time/money creating/forming your avatar?
[2008/11/26 13:18] Schmilsson Nilsson: Regarding avatar looks.
[2008/11/26 13:18] Daffodil Fargis: Sorry, for interrupting
[2008/11/26 13:18] Schmilsson Nilsson: No. Please. This is your interview.
[2008/11/26 13:18] Schmilsson Nilsson: I would say the look of my own avatar is important to me.
[2008/11/26 13:18] Schmilsson Nilsson: But the looks and appearance of others is not so much.
[2008/11/26 13:18] Daffodil Fargis: That's interesting what you say there.
[2008/11/26 13:18] Schmilsson Nilsson: I have spent a lot of time and money on my avatar.
[2008/11/26 13:19] Daffodil Fargis: Why this look?
[2008/11/26 13:19] Schmilsson Nilsson: I feel that my investment in my avatar's looks are steps toward a more authentic expression of self.
[2008/11/26 13:19] Daffodil Fargis: I find it fascinating, btw
[2008/11/26 13:19] Daffodil Fargis: Hm, you have to explain that to me :)
[2008/11/26 13:20] Schmilsson Nilsson: I believe that avatars allow us to express who we really are. Or really want to be. Or aspire to be.
[2008/11/26 13:20] Daffodil Fargis: Do you think that's the case for everybody?
[2008/11/26 13:20] Schmilsson Nilsson: That isn't to say that in the physical world I want to be green with dreadlocks, although that might be fun.
[2008/11/26 13:20] Daffodil Fargis: :-D
[2008/11/26 13:20] Schmilsson Nilsson: I don't think it's the case for everybody. I think it's dependent on the person.
[2008/11/26 13:20] Daffodil Fargis: It would certainly draw more attention than here :)
[2008/11/26 13:21] Daffodil Fargis: How does this go with being professional?
[2008/11/26 13:21] Schmilsson Nilsson: For example, some people who are longtime members of the SL community have avatars that look very simple.
[2008/11/26 13:21] Daffodil Fargis: True
[2008/11/26 13:21] Schmilsson Nilsson: And that, I believe, is also reflective of their own needs and interest.
[2008/11/26 13:21] Schmilsson Nilsson: By professional, do you mean, how does the look of my avatar work with the professional world?
[2008/11/26 13:21] Daffodil Fargis: Sometimes, maybe simply not wanting to spend money or time?
[2008/11/26 13:22] Daffodil Fargis: Yes, because we had to reflect about the professional look of a teacher
[2008/11/26 13:22] Schmilsson Nilsson: Some people are not as drawn by the aesthetics of the space as much as they are by the social experience.
[2008/11/26 13:22] Daffodil Fargis: and what that means?
[2008/11/26 13:22] Schmilsson Nilsson: For some people, the content of the communication is more important than the visual message.
[2008/11/26 13:22] Daffodil Fargis: I agree
[2008/11/26 13:22] Schmilsson Nilsson: For me, my visual expression is just as important.
[2008/11/26 13:23] Schmilsson Nilsson: Second Life is a space of art, expression and creativity.
[2008/11/26 13:23] Schmilsson Nilsson: I don't NEED to look like my physical world self.
[2008/11/26 13:23] Schmilsson Nilsson: And because of that I don't think that there are any obligations to mimic that.
[2008/11/26 13:23] Daffodil Fargis: Did we anser the question whether you feel a relation to your avatar and if so what kind of?
[2008/11/26 13:23] Schmilsson Nilsson: I do feel a relation to my avatar.
[2008/11/26 13:23] Schmilsson Nilsson: I love the way he looks.
[2008/11/26 13:24] Daffodil Fargis: Certainly unique and cool
[2008/11/26 13:24] Schmilsson Nilsson: I'm pleased to have found skin colors that are outside the pigmentation possibilities of the physical world.
[2008/11/26 13:24] Daffodil Fargis: How do others react when they see you/your avatar?
[2008/11/26 13:24] Daffodil Fargis: Is that possible?
[2008/11/26 13:25] Schmilsson Nilsson: Some people don't know how to react. Some chuckle. Some are surprised. Others are complimentary.
[2008/11/26 13:25] Schmilsson Nilsson: It depends on their expectations and experience.
[2008/11/26 13:25] Daffodil Fargis: And the context?
[2008/11/26 13:25] Schmilsson Nilsson: But I think that's part of the point: Physical world expectations don't necessarily apply here.
[2008/11/26 13:26] Daffodil Fargis: Hm, maybe they do for people who are not familar with SL
[2008/11/26 13:26] Daffodil Fargis: How would you describe your avatar's character? What message would you like it to convey?
[2008/11/26 13:26] Schmilsson Nilsson: Everyone brings their own message and desire to Second Life. So, yes, some people prefer avatars that replicate real life.
[2008/11/26 13:27] Schmilsson Nilsson: My avatar's character is creative expression and happiness.
[2008/11/26 13:28] Schmilsson Nilsson: I would like to convey that identity fluid and that the opportunity of Second Life and virtual worlds is to communicate on a more authentic level.
[2008/11/26 13:28] Schmilsson Nilsson: My appearance tells you something about me that you would not see if you met me first in the physical world.
[2008/11/26 13:28] Daffodil Fargis: More authentic than what/where?
[2008/11/26 13:28] Daffodil Fargis: Hm, so another facet of you.
[2008/11/26 13:28] Daffodil Fargis: What about your name?
[2008/11/26 13:29] Schmilsson Nilsson: Right! Thus leading toward richer, more textured, more nuanced understanding of other.
[2008/11/26 13:29] Schmilsson Nilsson: My avatar's name is funny to me.
[2008/11/26 13:29] Schmilsson Nilsson: I am a big fan of the singer Harry Nilsson.
[2008/11/26 13:29] Schmilsson Nilsson: My most favorite album of his is a children's story called "The Point"
[2008/11/26 13:29] Daffodil Fargis: Sounds funny, reminds me of a children's book or film character
[2008/11/26 13:30] Schmilsson Nilsson: It's about a little boy born in the land of point where everything is pointed and nothing is pointless.
[2008/11/26 13:30] Daffodil Fargis: :-D
[2008/11/26 13:30] Schmilsson Nilsson: And everyone, but the little boy, who's name is Oblio, has a point on the top of their head.
[2008/11/26 13:30] Schmilsson Nilsson: Oblio, while otherwise normal, was born with a round head.
[2008/11/26 13:30] Daffodil Fargis: Oh :(
[2008/11/26 13:30] Schmilsson Nilsson: Anyway. Oblio Nilsson was taken.
[2008/11/26 13:31] Schmilsson Nilsson: But Harry Nilsson had another album called Nilsson Schmilsson.
[2008/11/26 13:31] Daffodil Fargis: Ah :)
[2008/11/26 13:31] Schmilsson Nilsson: So my avatar's name is the reverse.
[2008/11/26 13:31] Schmilsson Nilsson: The Point is a wonderful album. And a great story.
[2008/11/26 13:31] Daffodil Fargis: So you really did put some thought in it before you chose your name
[2008/11/26 13:31] Daffodil Fargis: I will remember it
[2008/11/26 13:32] Daffodil Fargis: Thanks so much! I've asked my questions. Is there anything you would like to add?
[2008/11/26 13:32] Schmilsson Nilsson: Nope. This has been fun. I'd love to see the final report.
[2008/11/26 13:32] Schmilsson Nilsson: Drop me a landmark or URL for the blogpost.
[2008/11/26 13:32] Daffodil Fargis: I enjoyed it very much, too.
[2008/11/26 13:32] Daffodil Fargis: I will
/11/26 13:33] Schmilsson Nilsson: Bye! Thank you!
[2008/11/26 13:33] Daffodil Fargis: Bye for now