Things I like about my Second Life: how it feels between my ears

In January of 1995, I attended the third annual “Medicine Meets Virtual Reality” conference in Long Beach, where the keynote was delivered by author and technology historian James Burke. Burke is probably best known as the producer, writer and host of BBC television series' that were concerned with the impact of technology on social systems throughout history. During Burke’s speech I experienced a profound and enduring epiphany that completely relates to things I like about my Second Life.

Burke spoke of societal change due to technology in his usual stunningly illustrative and entertaining way at a breakneck speed. Without his colorful and witty examples and in a rather dull & texty nutshell, the following is Burke’s model…

Human beings are naturally (genetically?) capable of handling, and even enjoy cognitive complexity. In human history, there have been a few key bits of technology that have spawned quantum changes in civilization. These are: axe making, development of the alphabet and decimal systems, the printing press and the combination of ubiquitous broadband, wireless connectivity and the internet, which will happen “in the future.”

(Now is the time for you to ponder if you remember when that future was a bright and sparkling image painted exclusively on the pages of sf pulp, celluloid frames and in the minds of we optimists and dreamers. If you do not, then you are much younger than I, and you’ll have to take it for granted that this was the case in the dim and chilly pre- and 1990’s…)

Each of these key technologies, in addition to communicating such, equals a phenomenon that is more than the sum of its parts. Burke uses the equation: “1+1 = 3” in each of the historical examples he cites in his talk that describes this. The result of the “1+1=3” phenomena creates something he calls ‘information surge.’ This information surge involves uptake of the new, key technology which then creates philosophic paradigm shifts, resulting in an enormous amount of change to social, political and economic systems. Information surge creates the development of social complexity, a need for vocational specialization and more technological innovation.

Useful cognitive models, like scientific theories, are measured in my mind as to how they withstand repeated scrutiny. With each new personal experience, information that emerges needs to find a suitable “home” in our minds to be useful: an architecture based upon the structure in model aggregation. My most effective learning has at its core one or more models that permit linking of new and divergent information to a larger or “systemic” construct. New information and experiences serve to enrich and deepen a model’s metaphor, rather that challenge any of its basic form. Further, the presence of a good model provides a necessary pragmatism that supports innovation. A suitable cognitive model provides “hooks” on which to hang new information and a rich substrate for the creation of relevant, new ideas.

When I learn a new model, worlds of new possibilities are exposed. Burke’s speech not only provided an external architecture that I could apply to my then and current vocation, but it taught me a good bit about my internal cognitive processes. His talk was also a personal “1+1=3” experience. I was able to recognize my need for models to help me make use of the cacophony of information I experience in my daily life, then and now. Further, I think discovered a reason I find innovation so pleasurable: being naturally capable of handling complexity, I simply participate in “1+1=3,” and the subsequent “surge."

As an aside he stated that stable institutions within social systems are challenged by these phenomena, so there are periods of tension between innovators and institutions during the initial surge and social assimilation of information. In his prediction about the Internet, he made the observation that when the world had finally opened up to ubiquitous, wireless broadband connectivity, and all corners of the world had a stage where their voices could be heard, he wondered how much we would like what they had to say…

For me, Second Life is information surge on steroids. I am delighted by the variety of thinking and expression that takes place. It provides the opportunity to create and exchange information that can reach at least three important sensors: sight sound, cognition and in some instances, it can be tactile (moves her hand away from her waistband…). It has all the elements of Burke’s “1+1 = 3” and provides that opportunity for tens of thousands of us every day. I am continually amazed at the creativity I express and see in others. In-world I have access to individuals from all over the globe in ways that are not possible with eMail or list-servs or YouTube or the externally imposed structures of MMOG / MMORPGs.

As an example, before I had an in-world life I had never built a building or even considered doing that. Today, since I have the tools and opportunity to craft anything I want for myself, I notice all kinds of architecture in my RL. I am interested in the details of everyday things: light posts, brick, topiary… that would have blurred past my inner landscape in the past because I simply did not have any “hooks” to hang that information on. The blank slate of SL has provided me with not only the ability to craft new and interesting structures, it has also provided me the impetus to do so, and created more “spaces” in my mind for me to use. I see and experience the real world with new eyes and I do new things simply because I can. There it is: “1+1=3.”

All these reasons represent a thing I like about my second life in that it reminds me of and fulfills Burke’s prediction in a way I never imagined. I like how that feels between my ears and I like what it looks like when I act on it.