Qualche giorno fa sono intervenuto in an open discussion by Biancaluce Robbiani, followed by an article published in the Corriere della Sera on August 26 last, concerning the alleged euthanasia, at least in Italy, Second Life. Articles like this appear legitimate, prominently, to illustrate a lack of attention by the media in the virtual world of Linden, and expectations betrayed by this platform, after the initial overwhelming success.
Well, the article was yet another opportunity for a large group of our own defenders of Second Life, explaining that Second Life is not dead, citing all the good things in Italy were made, and continue to do, and to contradict the arguments of journalist.
comments, more or less angry, are, to date, more than 120, indicative of the interest aroused and the fact that the arguments have hit the newspaper alive.
My observations, avoiding a defense office, were two:
1) In Italy we do not invest in innovation. No one, neither individuals, nor even the institutions they take out a euro for research. Nor for that renewable sources, or for research against cancer (we are forced to different, deserving Teleton to go on), nor for the reduction of greenhouse gases or for the integrated cycle of waste. It would therefore be unrealistic to require budget to invest in advanced solutions on new technology platforms. We are in the battles of the basis for overcoming the digital divide. Who knows when you come back to investment in a country that has lost all its advanced technology, by closing or selling off, with the exception of the car and fashion.
2) We should not compare the evolution of virtual worlds to fads, like Facebook or Twitter. If we enlarge our view of the zoom, looking at the international scene, we see that the experience in the use of virtual worlds are treated and that there are real obstacles, if not an anchor limited usability of the interface and the necessary experience only time will sedimentare. Occorre ragionare quindi sui lunghi periodi.
Queste due semplici osservazioni vogliono riportare nell'ambito di una "naturale" evoluzione quanto succede, anche in casa nostra, in relazione alla crescita dell'impiego dei mondi virtuali nelle diverse applicazioni. Quindi, più che una difesa di ufficio, quello che in Italia non siamo mai riusciti a fare, e forse purtroppo non faremo mai, è una messa a fattor comune di esperienze, idee e progetti veri e propri.
Come mai, ogni volta che si discute di questi temi, ognuno si alza a difesa del proprio orticello, portando la bandiera della propria comunità o del proprio contributo, piccolo a piacere, e non si tende mai, few exceptions (there have been very successful projects in SL Italian), to create larger aggregations, coordination at the national level common factor that makes little or a lot that we can do with our limited resources? A sort of National Federation of Virtual Worlds. I remember a couple of attempts in recent years, and forfeited its infancy, for our innate inability to work as a team.
When we start thinking in terms of national community, instead of bringing each his own flag?
I realize that this discussion goes far beyond the discussion of virtual worlds or innovation, and for defects of our own national community. But everyone must take, in my humble opinion, your brick to the construction of a larger collaborative spirit. So I'm not at all pessimistic about the future, but avoid looking at the navel and feeling sorry for himself.
let's not impressed by fads and recurring criticisms. Reasoning on the long term and try to broaden the experiences of collaboration.
I think this is the key to get back on track, after the hangover initial and subsequent deflation of the bubble. Best wishes to all.
