Second Life – Page 7 – Ciaran Laval

May 11, 2018

Our Digital Selves Trailers

Our Digital Selves is scheduled for a full release on May 18th. produced by Draxtor Despres, AKA Bernhard Drax.

The documentary is extremely powerful and follows Tom Boellstorff, UC Irvine and Donna Z. Davis, University of Oregon as they examine how disability manages to find a form of expression via virtual worlds.

A three year research project supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (Cultural Anthropology and Science, Technology, and Society) ,the University of California, Irvine; the University of Oregon; and the National Science Foundation.

This is a beautiful, powerful documentary, I advise you to have a tissue and a smile handy when you watch it. The documentary follows people of various disabilities as they engage with virtual worlds and tell a story of how important accessibility and inclusivity is in the digital age.

To get you in the mood I’m going to embed a few videos below the cut, if you’re already below the cut, the videos are below this line!

Continue reading “Our Digital Selves Trailers”

May 8, 2018

Congressional Briefing To Feature Excerpt From Our Digital Selves Documentary

“Our Digital Selves : My Avatar is me” is a documentary produced with a large slice of work from Draxtor Despres, well known virtual world filmmaker and also known as Bernhard Drax.

The documentary follows Tom Boellstorff, UC Irvine and Donna Z. Davis, University of Oregon as they lead discussions regarding the connection between people with varied disabilities and their engagement with virtual worlds such as Second Life, High Fidelity and Sansar.

The documentary itself is part of a research project supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (Cultural Anthropology and Science, Technology, and Society). The project is supported by the University of California, Irvine; the University of Oregon; and the National Science Foundation.

Tomorrow, Wednesday May 9th, Congressman Alan Lowenthal will be hosting a Congressional Briefing on Disability, Mental Health, and Virtual Worlds which will discuss the findings of this research project.

Continue reading “Congressional Briefing To Feature Excerpt From Our Digital Selves Documentary”

May 2, 2018

Fantasy Faire House of Garland Quest Still On

Fantasy Faire 2018 is enjoying its extension until May 7th and so are people who are still on The House of Garland quest at this year’s event.

The quest calls upon a prominent hero to accompany a prominent knight on a prestigious mission. Previous experience is not required but an ability to think and walk in a virtual world at the same time, is desired.

Once again The Bardic Order of the Fairelands is in trouble and needs your help to assist them to assist the Bard Queen against The Unweaver.

Continue reading “Fantasy Faire House of Garland Quest Still On”

May 1, 2018

Fantasy Faire Goes Into Extra Time

Fantasy Faire 2018 was scheduled to close on April 29th, but a sprinkling of magic, some backstage trading and some schmoozing with the Lindens has meant that Fantasy Faire 2018 will be open until May 7th!

Now the partying and frolicking for this extension won’t be full on, but there are limited events available and you should keep an eye on the events calendar (best viewed in agenda view) to see which events will be running.

As I write this post the following events are listed (all times in SLT) :

May 2nd 16:00 – Encore performance by The Misfits at The Story Well.
May 3rd 14:00 – DJ Elrik Merlin
May 3rd 17:00 – Litfest Tour The Halls of Story.
May 4th 17:00 – Litfest Tour Astrid’s Nemeton.
May 5th 17:00 – Litfest Tour Fairelands Junction
May 6th 14:00 – Fairelands Masked Ball
May 6th 17:00 – Litfest Tour Ardessa

As I hope you notice, Litfest has been very popular this year.

Continue reading “Fantasy Faire Goes Into Extra Time”

April 25, 2018

Tom Lloyd Visits Litfest

Litfest, ah Litfest, now in its fourth year as part of Fantasy Faire and getting better by the minute.

I found myself in a hall of story with many other attendees to await the arrival of author Tom Lloyd. A few technical glitches later and Tom arrived, to read from his new book.

There was much talk of britches in this reading, seemed like the sort of bawdy tale that could be told in a tavern. I therefore enjoyed it very much.

Later Tom engaged in an interview with David Abbott and took questions from the audience. Tom later told me :

Never had my computer refuse to work quite so comprehensively before, but in the end that was great fun!

Great fun indeed, but that’s the beauty of Litfest and there’s plenty left in the tank for this year.

Continue reading “Tom Lloyd Visits Litfest”