According to Thornburg, a disruptive technology is a technology that has the same functionality of an existing technology, but functions so much more effectively it replaces the other technology. Philip Rosedale , one of the founders of Second Life, describes some of the differences between the virtual world of Second Life and the internet. As Rosedale describes it, the internet is links information by text to text. The virtual world of Second Life uses symbols that are easily understood by all. Rosedale uses the example of the work “chair” which is expressed differently in different languages which can lead to confusion or loss of meaning. However when you see a three dimensional chair it is evident to anyone what the object is. (Unless, I suppose, the individual viewing it is from another planet and has no idea what the function of a chair is.) In this sense Second Life surpasses the internet in terms of communicating concepts and ideas. Having said this, I don’t think that Second Life fully fits the definition of a disruptive technology. The internet is still a strong force in today’s society, but Second Life has the potential to displace the internet as a means of communicating ideas and promoting social interactions. At the present time I don’t believe the internet is in danger of being totally replaced by a virtual world such as Second Life.
Second Life is a very interesting and fascinating technology that allows the user to move about in a three dimensional world that can seem very real. It is so real that a friend of mine uses it to show undergraduate psychology students the unreal world of schizophrenic dissociation from reality. It would take something even more powerful and realistic to replace it. I believe the technology that could replace it is a truly three dimensional world that engages all the senses, much like the holodeck of the Star Trek movies and shows. I don’t believe this will happen anytime soon, so for now I think Second Life is secure in its place as the leader in virtual worlds.
Second Life has implications that can be of great benefit to society. It bypasses the need to use the symbolisms carried by words to explain concepts. It is much easier to look at an object and see what it is than it is to read about it and build your own image of it in your mind, that might not necessarily be the same construct in another person’s mind. Second Life has the potential to improve understanding among people of various backgrounds. As Rosedale describes, Second Life also opens up many ways of exploring the universe around us. Computer analogs of real-life events or objects could be used to create tangible objects that can be explored up close and in person. I guess that if it can be imagined, it can be created in a virtual world.
References
Rosedale, P. (2008). Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.
Thornburg, D. (2009). Disruptive technologies [Podcast]. In Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) Emerging and future technology.
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Gary, you have given an excellent account of second Life. I agree with you when you say it is not a disruptive technology because it has not really replaced the internet. It is likely that Second Life will be replaced before it replaces anything.
ReplyDeleteGary-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that SL has not and probably will not replace the internet as a means of communication. I like your example of the ability to show a schizophrenic's idea of reality. That is a very imaginative use of the technoogy. Do you see any other educationa uses for SL within a classroom and if so, what would they be and what earners would you target?
Wendi
sorry my L key is flaky today
ReplyDeletetechnoogy = technology
earners =learners
Wendi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. I could see SL used in the classroom setting as a means of helping students develop their interviewing and therapeutic communication skills. However, to do that requires the technology and training to effectively use SL in this manner. It is much simpler to invite the theater student for student volunteers to play the part of the patient or families.
As for your L key, my problem is this small keyboard my new tablet has. I keep erasing or moving text around by accident. (That’s why I keep a work processing page open to use the spell check. Copy and paste is a great feature.) Technology is wonderful, but it sometimes really points out some of our human frailties.
What I meant to say was to invite the theater department for student volunteers. See what I mean about how technology can highlight human frailties.
ReplyDelete