Task 7

Believe it or not, there are third-world countries that do not have running water, yet have Internet access! Society is changing in many aspects; however, the use of technology and Web 2.0 is clearly one of the fastest changing areas of change. Particularly, Second Life is a world that will greatly impact society if its use continues. Second Life does not physically exist as a world, however; it does offer features that make it feel actual and real. The moving, talking, and expression capabilities make this Utopian world come close to reality. The ability it has to allow one to create an idealized perfection contributes to the Utopian aspect of Second Life. If the use of this virtual world continues, society will be influenced greatly in the way they communicate and interact with each other. Face-to-face communication will be less common in everyday interaction.

According to Jackson, younger people between age 12 and 50 are more likely to use the Internet than those 55 and older (2003). This group, being innovators and future leaders, will greatly influence others when choosing a form of communication technology. An example of this influence could be in the form of increased online shopping and ways of doing business in virtual worlds.

Second Life is considered to be a rich form of media. Factors such as audio capabilities, character interaction, and instant response contribute to this richness. We think that while Second Life team will be able to complete tasks more efficiently, the users outside of teams may present themselves differently than they are which creates a dishonest society. The dishonesty in Second Life could potentially lead to dishonesty in our public society. For example, people on MySpace have the opportunity to present themselves in a false light. Second Life has comparable features. The slogan for this communication technology is "Your World. Your Imagination." This is promoting users to identify themselves differently through different characteristics and attributes. Users have the power to create the Utopian world they want.