Attack of the Giant Penises

[Zkribbler]

Second Life is a virtual world in which its players (called residents) can create their own personnas, buy and sell virtual real estate, cars, clothes, etc, fly, chat, have virtual sex, whatever. The virtual world's "Linden dollars" may be exchanged for U.S. dollars. Last November, player Ailin Graef announced her online chacther Anshe Chung had amassed a net worth of US$ 1 million.

Then last December, during a live interview with CNet reporter Daniel Terdiman in a simulated auditorium, unknown pranksters (called "griefers") pelted Chung with oversized penises and an obscenely altered photo of the real-life Graef. Afterwards, scenes of the attack began appearing on websites from YouTube to Boing Boing.

Unlike most online games, Second Life residents retain all intellectual property rights, including those to their own avatars. These rights are enforceable, both in the virtual world and in the real world.

Graef and her business-partner/husband have now begun writing to these media outlets, claiming the posting of her image violates the Graef's copyrights. YouTube had taken the images down, but Boing Boing claims its fair use as a news story.

[Elok]

Do we know that Something Awful ( www.somethingawful.com ) wasn't responsible? They're quite enthusiastic about ripping SL apart, IIRC...

EDIT: No, Second Life Safari says "Room 101" is not affiliated with them. But they approve of their antics all the same.

[Zkribbler]

Room 101 [from the novel 1984 the worst thing you can imagine] has been harassing Chung for months.

I'm surprised SL doesn't have a way of tracking down the griefers. Having your most famous resident attacked by large penises is not good publicity.

I noticed one of the professions residents can take up is bodyguard. I'd image some of those fellows will show up around Chung from now on.

[Chemical Ollie]

I've heard that some people make a living building up strong identities in WoW and sell them for hard cash to noobs.

(Never played the game, as I know that if I do, I will lose my real life. Job family, other hobbies, everything. The game is too addictive for a family father.)

[Datajack Franit]

Second Life= people that don't have a life in the first place

[Zkribbler]

We....that would be us then, wouldn't it?

[Elok]

No, we don't pay good money to have a phony online life. Except for official members, and they don't pay nearly as much or as frequently. SL seems to have crossed that fine line that separates "immersive online experience" from "enabler for the mentally unwell." Assuming there is such a line, of course.

I also don't like value-independent economies, though I have no knowledge of economics.

[Straybow]

"...may be exchanged for U.S. dollars" from whom? Who backs the Linden dollar currency?

[Kuciwalker]

The company.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
The company.

Yeah, I'd assume Linden Labs.

The exchange goes both ways...you can buy more Linden dollars (usually the floating exchange rate is 250-300 Linden dollars = US$ 1), or you can cash in...anytime up until Linden Labs declares bankruptcy.