9.14.07 - Second Life and Eth. Research

Entry 1.0 - Ethnography & New Media @ The New School, NYC

During one of my novice probes into Second Life yesterday, meeting the facilitator (Jason Pine) of this multi-planed course (SL, Real Life and all the other perceptible/imperceptible plateaus) in avatar form was, to say the least, strange. The forum is not a classroom, and the dialog mostly centered on exploring the perceptible phenomena and functions of the "game" (social forum? marketplace?). We spoke as if on a phone conversation by holding a button on the keyboard or conversed as if instant messaging by typing. Since I had to miss the first RL class, I asked about readings, etc., but the platform did not permit the conversation to last. There were turkeys gobbling, other functions to explore, and places to fly and teleport to. 

One's communication and experience in SL is computer mediated, and as such is visual, temporal, aural and textual. It is always embodied, despite the focused distinction that tends to block out RL as it exists without the screen. But I found the happenings of RL to pull me just as much, not quite permitting me to fully enter SL. It has been at least 6 years since I've invested myself in a type of "game" (Nintendo ES, Sega Genesis, etc.), and I'm finding myself unintentionally resisting. Example one, is my avatar's appearance, which I will post later.

If ethnographic fieldwork in SL is going to focus on the "community" as it exists in segments (some "places" you can only "go" when you find out about them in RL), the intersection of various means of perception amid the multiple planes will have to be without question studied and evaluated in "new" ways. Even though I'm writing about SL as if it is a place, I do not believe the human subjects model will be efficient method of study (particularly since users I spoke with within SL so far have no intention of disclosing their identity). There can be no question that asking for consent will displace and disturb the "objects"/"subjects" of study. I am in agreement with Bassett and O'Riordan that a hybrid model of relational ethics (incorporating space, text and body) needs to be applied to Internet research, particularly if it is going to be affective.

This blog will act as both a journal of SL and a response to course readings indeterminately placed. I hope it will maintain a healthy balance of inquiry/observation while reflect the fluctuating states of perception that is generated by the multiple planes (RL, SL, other).