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Some of those stories seem rather stupid, for example this one: http://playsquad.commongate.com/post/Second_Life_has_ruined_my_son_s_life/ http://playsquad.comm

by Tichy 14y ago

Some of those stories seem rather stupid, for example this one: http://playsquad.commongate.com/post/Second_Life_has_ruined_my_son_s_life/ http://playsquad.commongate.com/post/Second_Life_has_ruined_... (first one I clicked on) Mother claims her son was diagnosed with Aspergers but now blames SL for him not having a normal life. Perhaps she should be happy that her son has found a way to be happy instead. Edit: OK, I clicked on some more, most seem to be about infidelity in Cyberspace. Blame SL? I think not. Not saying that it's impossible to neglect real life too much, but if there wasn't SL, those people would find other ways to drop out.

facorreia 14y ago
You're just scratching the surface, don't be so quick to dismiss it. Most of those stories are too personal to post here. Edit: Removed link to article about the wrong game (duh me).
- Tichy 14y ago
  That article does not even mention Second Life. It mentions WoW and Star Wars online in the last paragraph. While I probably wouldn't blame that persons problems on the existence of games, it might be worth noting that MMORPGs like WoW are very different from Second Life. Todays MMORPGs are optimized for addictiveness - they have fine tuned challenges and rewards to make people play as long as possible (even the guild system apparently plays a part - if your friends play, you are also more likely to play). In contrast to that, Second Life is not even really a game. It has no goals, no challenges, other than what you set up for yourself. So blaming SL for the damage MMORPGs have supposedly done to some people is misguided.
  - facorreia 14y ago
    I ended up pasting the wrong link. I won't post others, as I said, the stories are too personal. If anyone is interested enough, they'll find them. Suffice to say that I have personally talked to people whose lives have been devastated by SL and they were powerless over it.

by Tichy 14y ago

facorreia 14y ago

You're just scratching the surface, don't be so quick to dismiss it. Most of those stories are too personal to post here. Edit: Removed link to article about the wrong game (duh me).

Tichy 14y ago
That article does not even mention Second Life. It mentions WoW and Star Wars online in the last paragraph. While I probably wouldn't blame that persons problems on the existence of games, it might be worth noting that MMORPGs like WoW are very different from Second Life. Todays MMORPGs are optimized for addictiveness - they have fine tuned challenges and rewards to make people play as long as possible (even the guild system apparently plays a part - if your friends play, you are also more likely to play). In contrast to that, Second Life is not even really a game. It has no goals, no challenges, other than what you set up for yourself. So blaming SL for the damage MMORPGs have supposedly done to some people is misguided.
- facorreia 14y ago
  I ended up pasting the wrong link. I won't post others, as I said, the stories are too personal. If anyone is interested enough, they'll find them. Suffice to say that I have personally talked to people whose lives have been devastated by SL and they were powerless over it.