Introduction to Research Paper

How many stale Saturday nights have you spent in your house contemplating what to do? You would absolutely love to travel and sight-see all the luxurious locations that are temptingly televised on the tube, but you know the distance barrier sets a large wedge in that dream. You are famished for some entertainment, but considering that you are low on money, you would rather not engulf a huge expense at the end of the night. Even if you did have the money, however, you may still not have the physical or emotional ability to be involved in the type of entertainment opportunity that you have always desired to experience. In the virtual world of Second Life, an array of limitless options are available. So exactly what entertainment opportunities does Second Life have to offer, and how could these virtual sources bring about a variety of benefits to its viewers?

Research Paper Outline

Carrie Roberts
English Comp. II
Dr. Carter

Research Paper Outline

Research Question
What various entertainment opportunities does Second Life have to offer to its viewers that may otherwise present limitations in real life?

I. Entertainment with no financial barriers.
A. No worries of spending or losing real life money, or facing the consequences of
overspending or limitations of a low-paying job.
1. Everyone has an equal access to obtaining a job in Second Life if there a want.
for something that does cost SL money.
B. Ordinary, everyday entertainment opportunities are therefore easily accessible.
1. Sporting events, concerts, theatres productions, etc.
C. Entertainment for some may include sight-seeing.
1. Would be free from real life money and there are no transportation costs.
(Transition: Because financial barriers do not pose a problem for
traveling expenses, door is open to experience the creativity and activities
of various locations.)
II. Entertainment through world traveling (teleporting) is now possible for many
individuals thorough Second Life.
A. Experience the activities associated with different cultures and locations.
1. A Hawaiian Luau
B. Sight-See
1. Go to museums in different countries, cruises, worldwide famous monuments
(Transition: While some of these entertainment opportunities may be somehow
possible to certain individuals in real life, they may present a physical or emotional
barrier for others to overcome in real life.)
III. Second life may offer entertainment opportunities for
individuals who may be physically handicapped, or even to individuals who are
emotionally fearful of a certain activity.
A. If one has a physical disability, this may give them an opportunity to have a taste
of entertainment that they could never otherwise experience.
1. Horse back riding, scuba-diving, etc.
B. If someone has a major phobia of physically doing a specific activity in real life,
this may be an avenue for them to expand upon and “break out of their shell.”
1. Riding a roller-coaster, dancing in front of others, etc.
IV. The three main arguments justify the truth that through Second Life many
entertainment opportunities are made possible that would otherwise be hard
to experience and enjoy in real life.
A. No financial barriers of real life money
B. Advantages of “world traveling/teleporting.”
C. Allows opportunities for physically or emotionally enabled individuals

Research Question

My topic is entertainment in Second Life.

Research Question: What various entertainment opportunities does Second Life have to offer to its viewers that may be otherwise hard to experience in real life?

Peer meeting

On thurs. night, Elise, Kris and I met again at the Cross of Light and they actually were just finishing up a Bible study, which Kris had participated in. I did not know about it or I would have loved to join in. But other avatars were there and were talking to us about the church and that it was non-denominatinal and just wanted to show show people the love of God, that was pretty neat.

Peer meeting

On the thurs. the 12th Elise and I met at the Buddist temple and walked around a bit. It was hard to find notecards, but it was a very interesting place. The scenery was very pretty as there were many flowers and trees. There were many little statues around, especially of Budda.

Peer meeting

On tues. morning Elise, Kris, and I met at the Cross of Light Church and land and discussed some possible places that we could explore in the future. We also walked around the area. The Cross of Light church is very pretty and has beautiful stained glass. The surrounding area also has a pretty scenery, and actually has a stable nearby, and a ship by a surrounding water.

Intro to essay # 2 - Religion and Spirituality in Second Life

You say you are looking for comfort, a place of refuge, or maybe a sincere search for truth? While some individuals may try to satisfy emotions through money, work, relationships, or other aspects of life, others believe that we were meant to live for so much more. Many individuals are searching, and some of those searches are being explored on the grounds of the virtual environment of Second Life. I believe, however, this resource may not provide the best results for this soul quenching quest. For example, the reality of the religious regulations and rules associated with Hinduism may not be fully seen or displayed through a virtual environment. The true punishment system practiced by some religions may be hidden or not seen through a non-physical and non-threatening environment. Another concern is that the word “Christian” is used so often, that it may be hard for an individual to find the right virtual church without physically sitting down with the pastor and looking beyond the eyes and words of an avatar. In the virutal world of Second Life, an individual can be exposed to a variety of religions, such as Hinduism, Islam, or Christianity--however, being only exposed to this virutal environment may also coud the indvidual's perspective of the religion's true morals and authenticy.