Comments on: Getting Psyched About Avatars

By: Pais Kidd

Pais Kidd — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:37:42 +0000

I might make a smartass or dismissive comment as well, but when I read “The SLunkie Factor” I saw some very familiar characteristics that I have seen played out by others before.

In particular, one friend I met in SL who I came to like very much. I used to have breakfast while seeing him every morning, we had a lot of laughs. He created one an avatar that seemed to express more charm and personality that most. He created several clever and successful businesses. But then there were increasingly long absences, and then he was gone.

I worried that something was dreadfully wrong in RL. Previously, he had some health problems, so I wondered if he was seriously ill. Maybe he was in jail. Not knowing nagged at me and I felt helpless. I kept pushing and eventually I was able to get my email address to him so I we could communicate.

When he explained his reason for leaving SL, it was similar to the “SLunkie” syndrome. SL was interfering with his life, he tried to find ways to re-balance, and finally decided he had to leave.

I am sure a lot of variants and other factors can come into play to create situations where a person’s use of SL unbalances their life to the point where it becomes detrimental. What Dusan outlines in the working group’s agenda seems to be a useful place to understand the psychology dynamics of virtual worlds and our lives.

By: LMAO

LMAO — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:42:02 +0000

Maybe i should create a magical rock that is the cure for an inworld addiction? or maybe a river that you drink from giving your avatar the power to fix your real life problems (re: Addiction to SL).. and then make a business out of that and say..

Heck. I already came across councilors in world that know how to tell others how to fix themselves yet do the very things wrong with themself… lmao…

Is there going to be an addiction to business in SL next? we want you to stop making money and give your business to us because your to addicted to it.. rotfl….

Sorry.. lol.. My point of view is its all in how you think and other influences around you to what you do, say and think. Im talkin in the real world not in SL.

Cheers & Have A Great Day

By: Dusan

Dusan — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:35:10 +0000

Troy - As best I understand it the group is affiliated with the Immersive Education Group. Unfortunately, I don’t have the full release on hand, but that’s who it was sent by.

By: cube3

cube3 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:35:26 +0000

next “crystal therapy”– and magnets for avatars…

call me the “avatar wisperer” TM

and i charge $250 an hr.

By: The Psychology of Immersive Environments – working group in Second Life

The Psychology of Immersive Environments – working group in Second Life — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:56:24 +0000

[…] Thanks to Dusan Writer for the heads up. […]

By: kate miranda

kate miranda — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:00:18 +0000

I tried to comment on both of the two sites where this press release/event notice is posted and both sites fouled up in either processing my registration or when attempting to post a comment. I could not find the phrase “immersive disorder” anywhere else. (But I’m sure my husband thinks I suffer from it)

What I am most concerned about personally is the sad plight of those who suffer from “immersive dyslexia” and so are forever challenged to understand the vibrant experience the rest of us have in virtual worlds.

By: AmandaReal

AmandaReal — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:18:36 +0000

First shrinks, then who? Cops?

By: Troy McConaghy

Troy McConaghy — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:57:55 +0000

Can you tell us who’s behind this group?

I thought psychology was the study of human/animal behavior, not environments (immersive or otherwise).

What’s an “immersive environment”? Is a swimming pool an immersive environment? (People immerse themselves in swimming pools.)

Does this have anything to do with virtual worlds?

Virtual worlds are certainly an interesting place to study human behavior. After all, they’re populated by humans behaving like humans.

By: Leondra

Leondra — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:28:08 +0000

It’s the 1st I heard that term, too. I Googled it and besides, here, it only appears http://maxping.org/virtual-life/other/launch-event-psychology-of-immersive-environments-technology-working-group.aspx
I can certainly understand a need to define the experience. Then it can be studied. I will be following the discussion.
I really enjoy this blog, I cut down my feeds, but kept you.

By: Graham Mills

Graham Mills — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:39:41 +0000

“Immersive disorder”? I asked your question on SLED: nil response. Google: nada. Pubmed: quoted phrase not found. Sounds like a neologism. If anyone attends, please enlighten and use terms the lay-person can understand.