Updated Proposal...again

Chapter 1 will discuss all the theories surrounding online games, virtual reality, and cyber culture. Where did they originate? ‘New Media:A Critical Introduction’ Why they became popular? Why people disconnect from real life? ‘Cyberculture Theorist’ What happens to the person behind the screen? The debate over role-playing and identity. ‘The Second Self’ and ‘Life on the Screen’. Whilst drawing contiual reference to the ever growing blurred line between ‘real’ and ‘reality’. With reference to Jean Baudrillard. I will also explore how Second Life came about with ‘Snow Crash’.

Chapter 2 will look at initial impressions of Second Life. A brief account of how it works and what it consists of. What can one expect to see and do? I will address some of the misconceptions people may have, as well as explaining my first impressions. This Chapter will also include surveys from ‘real’ people as well as ‘avatars’. And hopefully have interviews with some of the ‘big’ characters in Second Life (the owner of Dublin, Owen Kelly etc.)

Chapter 3 will explore all the positive uses for Second Life. By using economic, social, educational and creative examples I will prove the effects it will have on our future and when we can expect synthetic worlds to become daily technology. It will also look at how its helping people to become socially acceptable, with particular reference to disabled people.

In comparison to the previous chapter, Chapter 4 will critically analyse the dangers and negative ideology with Second Life. I will look at the recent ‘Wonderland’ child pornography scandal that shocked worldwide media and caused mass debate about how ‘real’ something needs to be before it is classified as ‘real’. I will also explore the controversial debate over whether Second Life is as popular as it claims to be (looking at the facts and figures of users who log on). It will also draw reference to the identity issue explored in Chapter 1, and why (if so) we should begin to avoid these often dangerous forms of technology. It will also look at gambling and sex.

The conclusion will hopefully raise and answer many of the questions that I had previous to writing this thesis. What have I found, what do the mass public think, what they predict? After looking at all the history, the theoris and by assessing all the positives and negatives I will be able to make a significant reflection on the idea of synthetic worlds.