It's not about the story, it's about the discussion

Follwoing my recent article in the Alphaville Herald about the Hippiestock event last January, a number of accusations have been made about my failure to mention a Second Life resident, Suspiria Finucane. In a thread on the SL Offworld Forum, Suspiria took me to task for omitting her contribution to the event, implying that I had intentionally done so because I was "biased" - presumably against her?

As I read through the comments, what was interesting was that a consensus was beginning to develop regarding my motivations, and people were using what I had said on the article to support their hypothesis - that I was involved in some sort of conspiracy of silence against Ms. Finucane.

Fascinatingly, the "proof" of my bias was based on what I didn't say, a classic example of using the rhetorical device called "argumentum ad ignorantiam" - or "arguing from ignorance." And no, the word "ignorance" in this context does not mean "stupid" - it simply means "being without facts." It's similar to the "Area 51" devotees who argue that because the government cannot prove there are NO aliens, then they must exist!

It's worth looking at the discussion because there are lots of little examples of how one can use anything to support a position if you want to. But ultimately, the truth is that I didn't mention Suspiria because I also didn't mention other people. I was also trying not to fill the article with names because I wanted to avoid spotlighting some folks over others, especially since the organizer, Hippie Bowman, had said that he felt this was a community event and not a one-person show.

There is also another spin-off post at Prokovy Neva's blog - which I haven't read because I'm too busy with Real Life things to do it - that took the discussion alog even further. So the post in the Herald had unintended consequences and crossed to a forum and a blog. And that's ignoring Suspiria's riposte, which you can read here;

Suspiria Finucane's riposte to "Hippiestock."

Although something of a storm in a teacup, it is instructive as far as the basic premise of the actual article went. What I was trying to talk about was the dual nature of Second Life folks who can go from being full of love for each other at a festival to using spite and hatred as a mode of rhetoric - yet still manage to avoid any cognitive dissonance. A new book, Virtually You by psychoanalyst Elias Aboujaoude is an excellent introduction to the subject of how the real and virtual selves can be different, but also how one can have an effect on the other.

No doubt this may rumble on for a little while and I am curious to see how people are affected by it. Pixeleen Mistral, the editrix of the Herald, once told me that the power of the Herald is not in its articles per se but in the discussions those articles generate. A successful article is one that creates debate and interaction. On that basis, I consider this article a success - even if I have to endure some abuse, or should I say, even if Sigmund Leominster has to take some abuse. After all, "I" am not just "Sigmund Leominster" but a real person, and somewhat different from dear Siggy!

MBC News: 3-2-11

UN and Gaddhafi; London School of Journalism leaving SL; Redzone in the Endzone?; Virtual Tahrir square opens in SL; Georgia Tech sets up SL sim for students with disabilities; Julian Assange to be extradited. Mal does his Tech Spot and Editorial Clarity covers the public announcements. Oh, and breast milk may be more dangerous that horse semen...


Oh, and stay until AFTER the credits to see the "easter egg" - what happens after the cameras stop rolling!

MBC News: 2-22-11

Unrest continues in Egypt; Redzone worries in Second Life; Avination joins in currency exchange mechanism; Facebook lets in "stalker app; SL Forums and blogs go incognito; and horse semen appears in drinks!

MBC News 2-22-2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 2-17-11

Italian PM in trouble, Hypergrid suspended to protect IP, US Army uses SL for support and training, and Romania Witches facing fines for inaccuracies. Sigmund appears to have just come back from a black-tie affair but in truth, that was last weekend. And no, he didn't get a Valentine. Clearly the sex appeal is waning.

MBC News 2-17-2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Mal turns out the Tech Spot and Editorial Clarity updates us on the happenings in SL.

MBC News: 2-9-11

AOL buys The Huffington Post, Apple comes under criticism from parents, SL's Rod Humble meets Mal Burns, the BBC is set to launch an international version of its iPlayer, and Editorial Clarity runs down the in-world events.

MBC News 2-9-2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 2-2-11

Egypt in turmoil, Amazon in the black, and social networks are unsociable. An immigration officer abuses his power, an Indonesian rock star abuses himself, and Malburns Writer abuses no-one. Tessa Harrington and Jessica Lyons talk about a new partnership at SpotOn3D

MBC News 2-2-2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 1-18-11

New Second Life CEO Rod Humble has his first day at work on the heels of Blue Mars announcing its refocus toward the mobile app market. NBC and Comcast given the go-ahead for a merger. Philip Rosedale cited as a "next tech-geek billionaire." Linden Lab blocks search in the old 1.0 viewer. And a cat is called for jury duty in Boston causing the team to smile...

MBC News 1-18-2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.