The Disruptive Power of Second Life

Hedberg and Chang (2007) wrote, “Christensen defined a disruptive innovation or technology as one that eventually takes over the existing dominant technology in the market, despite the fact the disruptive technology is both radically different to the leading technology and often initially performs worse than the leading technology according to existing measures of performance” (p. 3).  I see Second Life as this disruptive technology which will eventually displace video games.  At this time, the graphics are not as good as many video games, but I believe the Second Life developers will continue to improve their graphics to the point where it may exceed all expectations. 

Second Life also fits Thornburg’s (Laureate, 2009b) example of a disruptive technology in that it has the same functionality of a video game, but operates more efficiently in that the player is not merely operating a remote device, but becomes immersed in a virtual environment of one’s choosing.  In Second Life, you can realize whatever you can imagine for yourself- a new you, a new career, a family, friends, colleagues and cohorts.

The Forward 150 Timeline (Elon, n.d.) predicts the onset of holographic television and immersive- virtual reality worlds around 2016-2025.  I believe that Second Life will continue its shelf life until the time in which these technologies emerge as these will become the disruptive technologies that will eventually displace Second Life. 

Second Life is used by corporations, educational institutions, and personal users to establish global interaction, social presence, and basically, to build an alternate reality.  Educators could use Second Life as a means of fostering collaboration, connection, and communication between the instructor and students, as well as, a neighborhood of community among classmates.  Businesses could design their islands to enable customers and clients to explore products and services, and to gain more knowledge about the business. 

Possibilities seem to be endless when it comes to establishing an alternate ego or persona in this virtual environment.  The user would need to be careful not to allow this world to consume his/her life.  The user would also need to be mindful not to replace reality with fiction.  Some individuals do this with television or movies.  I am constantly telling my kids, that television is not reality.  The danger is even greater with an alternate reality. 

 

References

Elon University/Pew Internet Project. (n.d.). Imagining the Internet: A history and forecast: Forward 150 timeline. Retrieved April 7, 2011, from http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/predictions/forward150years.pdf

Hedberg, J. G., & Chang, C. –H. (2007). The G-portal digital repository as a potentially disruptive pedagogical innovation. Educational Media International, 44(1), 3-15.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009b). Emerging and future technology: Disruptive technologies. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Rosedale, P. (2008). Philip Rosedale on Second Life [Video].  Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html

Rhymes of History Technology

I remember learning to do arithmetic in elementary school in the Caribbean using rods.  These manipulatives were rectangular wooden rods of different lengths and colors and helped us learn how to count in 2s, 5s, 10s, add, subtract, and perform simple mathematical functions.  In a sense this technology was a most basic form of the hand held calculator which we use today to perform even the most complex of functions including graphing, and, “calculating trends and predictions” (Scienceray, 2012).  Thornburg (Laureate, 2009a) listed ‘rhymes of history’ as one of the six driving forces of emerging technologies.  Thornburg (Laureate, 2009a) explained that this force occurs when, “a new technology is a fresh emergence of the impact felt many years before from another technology”.  Dr. Thornburg (Laureate, 2009c) added that the concentration of this force is not on the medium itself, but on its effect.  Rhymes of history force us to examine the emerging technology by asking the question, ‘What does this technology rekindle?’  The hand held calculator is used to find solutions to mathematical problems and this function rekindles that of the abacus which was the Chinese version of the calculator, circa 3000 BC (The Great Idea Finder, 1997-2007).  Today’s technology can obviously perform many more sophisticated functions, but the usefulness rekindles that of the abacus. 

 

I was intrigued by Kelly’s (2008) thoughts on the concepts of embodiment, restructuring, and co-dependency on the web as examples of the rhymes of history.  After much thought, I found that these three trends in the virtual realm rekindle embodiment, restructuring, and co-dependency in the faith-based realm.  The idea of the web being the One makes me think of religion.  Many religions believe in different versions of an omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent being.  The web would represent that being to those who consider technology to be their religion.  Religion embodies believers in that every aspect of their lives portal into their religion.  In this sense, believers restructure their lives after joining a religion and in some cases, change the way they eat, live, dress, seek entertainment, and even educate their children.  These believers are linked by their belief system to their religions as a body.  Finally, believers may be considered to be co-dependent on their religious leaders as they render themselves totally transparent in order to meet their needs for spiritual and physical wellness and well-being. 

Vida Martin

References:

 

Kelly, K. (July, 2008). Kevin Kelly on the next 5,000 days on the web. TED Talks: TED Partner Series. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009a). Emerging and future technology: Six forces that drive emerging technologies. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009c). Emerging and future technology: Rhymes of history. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Scienceray. (2012). The history and evolution of the calculator. Scienceray. Retrieved from http://scienceray.com/mathematics/the-history-and-evolution-of-the-calculator/

The Great Idea Finder. (1997-2007). ABACUS. Retrieved from http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/abacus.htm