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Rhizome Experiment, Fall 2015Main MenuPowerteam pageRhizome ConceptThe Virtual and The RealSelfTeam Overview Page & TagIntro to the Virtual SelfThe world of social media, avatars, and the brandscapeSimulation MachineDerived from the previous paper to make an introduction to AI, the advanced simulation machineArtificial IntelligenceRace and the Social MachineDrone PilotsFull Battle RattleTechnology and the Black ExperienceVideo GamesDwayne Dixon5129acc1d78d02bed532993adeb2cc39f7be6920
Virtual Worlds of Video Games: Second Life and Year-Long Fantasy Football
12015-12-05T13:59:12-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0f72259plain2015-12-13T13:49:23-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0f One of the most frustrating things with the real world is scarcity. Reality’s presupposition of scarcity puts an economic, social, and cultural limitations on our actions. With the advancement of technology, persistent virtual worlds not only feel real but also allow one to explore endless possibilities that are not feasible in the real world. Two examples of these popular virtual platforms are Second Life and year-long fantasy sports leagues.
Linden Lab’s Second Life (SL) “is a free 3D virtual world where users can socialize, connect and create” [1]. SL enables users to create an avatar, interact with other avatars and alter the virtual world (through building and scripting) in real time. SL offers an infinite realm of possibilities for each user. “Land was continually added as new residents joined SL; as there is no way to increase the amount of land on planet earth, such a capability represents a distinguishing feature of the real world” [2]. This disregard for scarcity combined with users’ ability to alter every element of the virtual space creates a world for individuals where they have control AND no limits. This allows for an in depth examination of the self, discussed further here. Additionally, users must be “in-world” (logged into SL) at the same real-world time to interact; this allows for the SL experience to feel real as sociality becomes synchronous in the virtual space just as it does in the real world. Virtual worlds eliminate the limitations of the real world while still emitting the genuine feeling of reality. Thus, it is not far fetched to see why virtual worlds like SL are so attractive.
A newer virtual world, year-long fantasy sports, have become increasingly popular. The most popular of these is fantasy football. Year-long fantasy football is a persistent platform because of its carryover from day to day, and week to week. After an individual drafts a team, that team remains the same (barring trades or acquisitions). The virtual world of fantasy football allows fans to engage in an otherwise impossible opportunity; by playing fantasy sports, fans can own, coach, and manage a team of NFL players. Individuals are not confined to choosing one NFL team, but can build a roster from players from multiple teams. Although this platform differs wildly from that of SL, the total immersion into the virtual world holds true. A study conducted by Brendan Dwyer (on fantasy football participants) “indicated a level of cognitive dissonance with regard to values related to [participants’] favorite team and fantasy team” [3]. Essentially, the immersion into the virtual world had cultural impacts in the real world. Individuals felt discomfort when watching their favorite NFL team go against a player or multiple players on their fantasy team. This occurs because the fantasy team begins to feel real just as virtual world sociality feels real in Second Life.
[1] Second Life Official Site - Virtual Worlds, Avatars, Free 3D Chat. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://secondlife.com/
[2] Boellstorff, T. (2008). Coming of age in Second Life: An anthropologist explores the virtually human. (p.92) Princeton: Princeton University Press.
[3] Dwyer, B., & LeCrom, C. W. (2013). IS FANTASY TRUMPING REALITY? THE REDEFINED NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE EXPERIENCE OF NOVICE FANTASY FOOTBALL PARTICIPANTS. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 7(3), 119-139. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1626784991?accountid=10598
12015-12-05T19:54:45-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0fDaily Fantasy Sports: The Modern Arcade6plain2015-12-12T23:48:45-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0f
12015-12-05T17:29:04-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0fIntroduction to the Phenomenon of Fantasy Sports9plain2015-12-13T13:45:31-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0f
12015-12-02T19:07:02-08:00Theresa Tong00248a9edb3365ec19de987e6329ad622b0a984aHow the Virtual Influences the Real SelfTheresa Tong25Theresa Tongplain2015-12-13T12:34:09-08:00Theresa Tong00248a9edb3365ec19de987e6329ad622b0a984a
12015-12-05T17:29:04-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0fIntroduction to the Phenomenon of Fantasy SportsMatt Oshrine9plain2015-12-13T13:45:31-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0f
12015-12-05T20:05:46-08:00Shreyas Kolavennucc79c7d377403597ca3d802243add3b577b917d5How the Virtual Transfers to the RealShreyas Kolavennu5plain2015-12-13T11:27:29-08:00Shreyas Kolavennucc79c7d377403597ca3d802243add3b577b917d5
12015-12-12T16:27:00-08:00Jon Levine607880a92cfa9a1aeeae499982844f2fbd2b8199Truth of Online Personalities in Gaming7plain2015-12-13T19:54:45-08:00Jon Levine607880a92cfa9a1aeeae499982844f2fbd2b8199
12015-12-05T19:54:45-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0fDaily Fantasy Sports: The Modern Arcade6plain2015-12-12T23:48:45-08:00Matt Oshrineeb35dd924b3a8dd004d92cadea34118ec3ec9b0f
12015-12-05T10:52:57-08:00Justin Robinson51a04a248835912ac47a8d087e11a62a12e3cecfLosing Oneself in a Video Game4plain2015-12-12T21:45:56-08:00Justin Robinson51a04a248835912ac47a8d087e11a62a12e3cecf