Posts tagged SL

I found myself in what I thought was a friendly chat the other day at the Gor Hub. I was sitting in a comfy chair and observing the goings and comings that is the “Hub” when I began talking with a woman that teleported in next to me. At first, it was the typical 2nd Life getting to know you chat. Then… the discussion took a strange turn.

What was the topic of discussion, you ask? It was about one’s nature as a submissive or a dominant and whether or not modern humans fall into those categories or whether “evolution” has stripped us of the those basic traits for a reality that is less black and white and more grey.

Now, if you have read this blog at all, you know my views already. I am a Dom and a Sadist of many years. That is who I am and who I have been. Being dominant has defined both my personal and professional life. The woman I was talking to was a submissive, or so I thought, and was located in Germany. 

The submissive’s points of view went something like this:

• One’s nature as a submissive or dominant, is not a black and white position.
• If those broad categories were the true nature of things, it would be a boring world.
• There are no broad categories or traits in individuals, but rather people are composed of a mix of many characteristics.
• There is no natural order of things or rather the order of things seen in nature no longer applies to humans.

All of these point are certainly valid given specific contexts. That said, these points are also the usual points that a Switch would give to the justification of their position. This isn’t going to be post on Switches, but I will just say… I do not believe in Switches. Every Switch I have ever met, 1st Life or 2nd Life, prefers either the dominant role or the submissive role and they basically switch because it maximizes their kink and sexual cravings.

After the submissive was finished expressing her views, I countered with mine.

• There is a natural order to life on this planet. It can be seen in nature and in human culture(s), both past and present.
• Like predator and prey, being a dominant or a submissive is a very real broad trait in one’s personality, even if not known or directly expressed or acted on.
• The black and white aspect of being dominant or submissive is that these categories exist and are real.

This is where the conversation passed into the realm of a jaw dropper, what-the-fuck moment for me. This submissive actually started to try and defend the notion that the transfer of natural mechanisms to humans was “useless” since “we humans have hardly nothing to do with nature anymore as evolution did not go by without making it’s mark on us”.

Then the submissive’s point turned a bit more personal when she asked me, “hows about dropping your ego totally? …that would be a way to become natural again?” lmao… It always comes down to the personal attack, doesn’t it? Two people having and honest debate and when one of the people can no longer defend their position, it turns personal. Typical and sad…

The conversation turned one sided at that point with me stating I do not see how anyone that believes humans have evolved in the same closed system as everything else around us is somehow above that process. To me… That thought and point of view is what screams “ego”. 

Humans have not left this closed system. Humans are still apart of it. And… The closed system and the evolution processes that created us still influence and shape us today. This means that those broad categories of traits we see around us, like “prey and predator” and “domination and submission” exist in us and will continue to exist in us. We cannot separate ourselves from the processes that created us. 

This is not a question of black and white vs grey. Like it or hate it, this is a fact of life as it evolved on this planet. These broad categories and traits at their basic level define us. Welcome to planet Earth!! :)

Okay… Okay… I know I have let this blog fall into a terrible state of disrepair. Time to make an effort to mend the damage and get things hopping again.

To be honest, I have not really been in  2nd Life all that much. As I tend to do, I lost my drive and reason for being there. It happens, especially when one has been in 2nd Life as long as I have. Early 2004 seems like several lifetimes ago!!

Over the past year, not much has changed in 2nd Life, in my opinion. I still feel like the “golden age” of 2nd Life and other virtual worlds has come and gone. That said… Other grids and virtual worlds continue to pop up and grow. 

The BDSM and Gorean communities also continue to disappoint. As much as I like to create and build, I must say… The continued lack of quality people inside 2nd Life makes it difficult to be there and participate in any meaningful way. 

With all that said… I did greatly enjoy writing this blog and it is time for me to get off my ass and write again. So, if you see out in the wilds of 2nd Life, feel free to say hello. 

Take care for now and keep checking back. New posts and content are coming!!

I have not blogged since the Summer. That does not mean I have not been in 2nd Life. I have been in-world, but not as often as I used to be. Why?? Well, IMO 2nd Life keeps sinking into the abyss of “why bother”. This is especially true when it comes to being a serious Dom or sub/slave in 2nd Life. 

I know… I know… I am always going on about how most in 2nd Life do not take the D/s or M/s lifestyle seriously and how most are just players at best. I wish I didn’t have to drone on and on about it, but I am just not one to let “players” pretend they are something they are not. I call them as I see them…PERIOD!

That brings me to the subject of this blog post, Mickey Mouse Dominants. The other night (well night for me), I logged to relax and hang at one of my favorite lifestyle hang outs. I ran into a couple of friends, one of which is a sub I have known for a fair amount of time and in fact owned. While talking with her in a private IM, I noticed that she seemed to be involved with a Dom of some note and inquired what that was all about. She informed me that she was his 2nd. 

Upon hearing this news, I gave her a couple of LOLs and LMAOs. I have known her for a couple of years and have known of this Dom for just as long. This was the first time I saw her with him, yet… She made it sound like her 2nd status was not new. I found all of this even more amusing considering the Dom in question historically blows through subs with some regularity. Recently he has owned two subs, one after another in a short amount of time, and still has time for a 2nd.

Why does any of this matter? It matters because some subs/slaves see this Dom (and others like him) as being real because he is a regular in 2nd Life and has a bit of a 2nd Life presence. The fact remains… This Dom is no Dom. He is purely driven by the social and kink aspects of the lifestyle. This is even more evident as this Dom has also claimed to be a Switch in the past.

This is a classic example of what I call a Mickey Mouse Dominant. A 2nd Life player that wants others to think he/she is a serious Dominant yet shows he/she is nothing of the sort by his/her actions. This type of Dominant mostly attracts and seeks subs/slaves with little or no real experience or exposure to the lifestyle, online or offline. It is this aspect of the Mickey Mouse Dominant that is a real crime for those subs/slaves that are real, want to be real, or are seeking real training.

If the above were not enough, the real proof that this Dom is just a player was demonstrated when he was confronted by how others see him (the others in question being me…lol). Instead of asking me why I have this opinion of him and opening a dialog, he used his 2nd Life presence to confront and attack me directly.

How would he know my opinion of him considering I do not publicly discuss such things or use names when I write blog posts?? Well… That is a long story in itself and worthy of a blog post of its own. I will just say, at this point, it involves multiple instances of private log file transfers and clear violations of the Linden Lab’s Terms-of-Service by at least three known parties. As I said at the beginning of this post… IMO 2nd Life keeps sinking into the abyss of “why bother”.

I have been working on a new store for :Doleo: Design. It is smaller and much less ambitious than my previous business ventures in 2nd Life. It is, however, also more enjoyable and a true labor of love. 

The concept and theme for the store is as follows: simplicity and multipurpose. It is located on a 16,384 sq. m. lot, rather than a full sim. It is housed in a 30m x 30m skybox floating at 1,500m. It is vendor based with a strong Second Life Marketplace presence. It is designed to serve many purposes, including 1) a small build area, 2) free and public photo studio, and 3) a comfy hangout for patrons of both :Doleo: Design and :Doleo: Life.

The new store is still a work in progress. It will remain that way for sometime as I tweak things and begin to bring my inventory and vendors online. In the meantime, I wanted to showcase my new baby :) So… Here are a few photos for your review and pleasure. When the new store is truly ready to open, I will announce it here and in my 2nd Life profile and provide links and landmarks.

Enjoy…

For the past three weeks, I have been reading a wonderful series of posts on Massively.com about the history of 2nd Life. This series was written by Tateru Nino and is a wonderful retrospective of the virtual world we all know and love (and love to hate…lol). Lots of good information and little known facts here. A lot of research and work went into this series and it shows. Well worth the read and highly recommended!!

The History of 2nd Life:

• Part 1: 1999-2004
• Part 2: 2005-2007
• Part 3: 2008-2010 and beyond

I love reading profiles in 2nd Life. Like many of you, I am a self proclaimed profile whore…lol Reading profiles is a wonderful pass time because you just never know what you will find.

The above is specially true for those in 2nd Life that like to roleplay D/s or M/s relationships and lifestyles. For that group, there is almost always a section in the profile dedicated to roleplay limits. This is commonly seen as a Picks Tab entitled, RP Limits.

I am not into roleplay. This is especially so in 2nd Life. Having said that, I thought it would be fun to compile my own list of real time limits. My RT Limits, if you will. And please people… No need to freak!! This is just some in-world fun and a bit of 2nd Life parody :)

Real Time Limits:

• Keep it real. No roleplay allowed.
• Voice, cam, and real time use required. 
• If captured, ownership is permanent.
• Force collaring is guaranteed.
• No limits on use or treatment.
• If you displease, you will be punished.
• If you continue to displease, instant death.

Here are some photos of a terraforming project that is very near and dear to my heart. It is Doleo Sanctuary, my current home in 2nd Life. Not a full sim, yet a very lovely and peaceful 16, 384 sq.m. lot designed in my signature tropical style. Originally, Doleo Sanctuary consisted of two 6,144 sq.m. lots that I joined. I, recently, added a small adjoining 4,096 sq.m. lot that became available.

Although altering the terrain is allowed in the land covenant, I left the land mostly intact as I found it. I did of course create two corridors through the rough mountains to join the three lots, as well as smooth and refine the the general terrain. For the smaller 4,096 sq.m. lot I lowered most of the land deep into the water and created a small lagoon with the land I left exposed.

Other features of the is project include the following:

• Performed all landscaping.
• Added three out-of-sim elements: a reef, an island, and a stylized head.
• Created a small volcano out of one of the existing mountain peaks.
• Sourced and arranged all prefab structures.

If you are unaware of Ener Hax and her blog, iliveisl.com, you owe it to yourself to stop by and take a look. It is a wonderful read and, here lately, Ener has been discussing issues that are very relevant to both the future of 2nd Life and other 3D virtual worlds based on the server technology developed by Linden Labs for 2nd Life. 

A couple of days ago, Ener posted an article titled, Copybot and Steal Anything, Even Avatars. This article discusses the evils of Copybot and other such programs, but in a larger context and touches on other issues, like content licensing, the DMCA, moving creations from 2nd Life to OpenSim (or other grids), and legitimate backups.

Her article generated a heathy debate in comments and that brings me back to :Doleo: Like others, I responded to Ener’s post and gave my 2 cents (something I feel I am good at…lol). My comments are listed at the end of this post, edited for typos (and general mistakes associated with writing them when I should have been sleeping). 

Although you should read Ener’s article, along with all the comments it generated, to keep things in context, there are three points I would like to voice here on idoleo.com. They are as follows:

1) Linden Labs, over the years, has failed epically concerning inventory backups both in-world and out. This is especially true considering continual reduction in the support channels available to 2nd Life patrons. My inventory currently contains over 40,000 items, many of which are full permission textures and terrain files I have bought and use in my own creations. That is a huge investment and not one I wish to have just disappear one day.

2) There is a real need, at this point, for creatives and content developers to recognize and understand the evolving virtual world environment, as well as the growing number of grids and choices available. Linden Labs and 2nd Life are no longer the only game-in-town. There are real options and choices out there now and many are based on the same server technology as 2nd Life. As such, creatives and content developers need to adopt a broader licensing model that allows their works to be both used and ported from one grid to another.

3) From the day that Copybot was released in the wilds of 2nd Life, creatives and content developers have been hyping the reality of its use. Yes, Copybot, and other programs like it, present a real problem. Having said that… Many of the creatives and content developers in my circles piss and moan not because someone used Copybot to copy their creation pixel-for-pixel. They piss and moan because someone manually recreated a similar creation or improved upon it. To those creatives and content developers, I say… Get over it and yourself. That goes on in the real world everyday and is perfectly legal. 

Yes, I know the points presented above probably generate mixed emotions for many. That fact, however, does not change the reality that these issues are upon us and will only become more urgent and polarizing as more and more people choose to leave 2nd Life for other viable alternatives.

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Comment posted on iliveisl.com on June 28, 2010.

I took a hard read of this post and frankly I am very torn by the ideas presented here.

As a content designer and terraformer in 2nd Life for years now, I absolutely hate those that would outright copy pixel-for-pixel the creations of others. Having said that, though, Linden Labs has failed terribly in allowing 2nd Life patrons any real way to backup and protect their 2nd Life investments and creations. And… From 2004 to present, this has only gotten worse with the continual reduction in the support channels available to patrons.

I, for one, get sick to my stomach thinking my current avatar’s inventory of over 40,000 items, many of which are full perm textures, is at risk. Sure… I backup what I can in world, on my land, in inventory boxes so they are linked to the region backup. That, however, is very time consuming to setup and maintain and does not address the issue of having my backups locked into the 2nd Life grid.

Then, there is the issue I see emerging concerning virtual world content licensing. Essentially, all virtual worlds based on 2nd Life’s server technology are the same. Yet… Most designers and content creators to not see this or recognize it. As such, if you buy content in 2nd Life or design content in 2nd Life using other’s creations only licensed for use in 2nd Life, you are locked in with no way out. There was a time and place for that. We are no longer there and creatives and content developers need to adopt a broader license. 

The essence of the last two paragraphs is this… Some of us for better or worse have invested large sums of real money in 2nd Life. In the end, it looks like we are going to be screwed for doing so and without any good reason for it that I can see. For me personally, I will feel this the most with textures.

I would also like to second Winters’ comments concerning creatives crying wolf or hyping the reality of copybot. Yes, it is a problem and has been since it came along. In my circles, however, that is never really the root of the problem for the content creators I know and interact with. The real problem is they are pissed that others have or try to recreate their ideas or improve upon them manually. I am sorry, that has been going on in the real world since…forever…and that is absolutely legal.  

An example of this is a photo or texture. Yes, both can be copyrighted (and possibly trademarked). Having said that, if I take a landscape photo of the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park in Utah to sell, that does not prevent anyone else from taking a similar photo to do the same. What it prevents is others claiming or using my photo as theirs, as well attempting to profit from my work.

So… I think there needs to be a middle ground here. I think the ideas of fair use combined with broad content licensing need to be embraced to protect the investments that many of us have made. I think this is a major issue that will impact the success or failure of 3D virtual worlds regardless if they are based on 2nd Life or not. This is especially true for the content creators that actually make those worlds enjoyable and fun for the patrons that live in them. 

The day I leave for a long weekend vacation on June 24th with no laptop and access to my RSS feeds, I come home to discover the most wonderful news any patron of 2nd Life could get:

Mark Kingdon has stepped down as CEO at Linden Labs and Philip Rosedale is back at the helm.

Long live Philip!! Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out Mark!!

Linden Labs and 2nd Life have not faired well in the two years of Mark’s tenure as CEO. Many, including myself, feel his greed and desires to move away from Philip’s original founding vision for 2nd Life have cost Linden Labs and the patrons residing and working in-world dearly. Most recently… This was seen directly in the 30% workforce reduction at Linden Labs. Hopefully, Philip’s return will restore the old vision and pull Linden Labs and 2nd Life out of the chaos created by Mark. 

To read more on Philip’s return, here are a few links:

• Another Surprise at Second Life Creator; Founder is CEO Again
• Second Life CEO Walks After Recent Layoffs
• Second Life Founder Returns to CEO Job
• Linden Lab Remove CEO: Rosedale Returns
• Founder Returns to Linden Helm

As you know, if you have read my blog, I have been in 2nd Life since 2004. That is several lifetimes in 1st Life and much has changed since my original avatar first rezzed in-world. People in my 2nd Life have come and gone. Some have had my complete trust and known me in 1st Life… Some have only known me in 2nd Life… This post is dedicated to those people that have been there for me as real friends through out all these years. Trusted friends in 2nd Life are rare and real gifts. Thank you each and everyone. And, as I am fond of saying… All the best to you!!

• Mimi - My sweet pink pet. Over two years in my collar in 1st Life and 2nd Life and many more years to come. You have stood beside me through good times and bad. You are a rare gift and I am proud to call you mine. You are a true slut, whore, and cunt… and all mine!!
• Jaade - My wife in 1st Life. My submissive and pet once upon a time in 1st Life and 2nd Life. The dynamics have changed for us, but you remain there to support me as a Dom in both worlds.
• Pleasure (aka Bails) - A true trusted friend in and out of 2nd Life. A real submissive that knows what it means to be so. We don’t get to chat or see it other like we used to, but we are always there for one another if needed.
• Nikki - Once owned by Jaade and I and then just by me, Nikki is a wonderful slave that gives herself completely under a challenging 1st environment. It was a sad day when I could no longer hold her leash. Thankfully, we remain close friends and it is always a pleasure to hear from her.
• Karly - My little subbie from Down Under. No longer mine, but a dear friend that will always be with me. We were like fire and water together. Still are…lol We never seemed to find our time, although we tried… and tried… and tried.
• Buce - A fellow Dom and the only one I have ever trusted in 2nd Life. He is a man of his word and, although our styles are different, we share many of the same core philosophies.  
• Kate - A trusted friend from the UK. One of the best and most devoted submissives I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
• Akasha - A relatively new friend, but a trusted one that shares many of the same views as I do on the lifestyle. Here is to a long and continued friendship.
• Mija - A 2nd Life designer and submissive. I greatly enjoy discussing 2nd Life business and the BDSM lifestyle with her. Mija is very talented. I’m proud to call her my friend.
• Wafa - A slave in 1st Life that is in 2nd Life to meet others and share views. More distant than I would like due to 1st Life, Wafa has been a wonder friend and has been there to listen when I needed an ear. She is a dear friend I do not get to chat with as often as I would like.
• Crow - A good friend that I rarely see anymore. We spent many a late night discussing BDSM and Gor and what makes a good submissive, slave, and dominant. I miss our chats.
• Julie - A good friend of mine and my wife. We met in 2nd Life and were together for years afterwards. Hardly ever online anymore and half a world away. The memories of the cow hide skybox linger though…lol

At the suggestion of a couple of readers and another blogger and virtual creator, I setup a moderated comments system for idoleo.com. Readers now have the ability to post comments and feedback to posts through Disqus.

All comments will be reviewed and posted once approved. That, however, does mean every post will be approved. I respect others opinions and thoughts (and…have a real desire to incorporate them), but I will always retain all editorial rights concerning this web site and blog.

Enjoy!! 

When I started idoleo.com, I knew the day would come when someone would take issue with my web site and my blog postings. That day has come and this person has branded me a cyberstalker. This person has even listed two Wikipedia sources for 1) cyberstalking and 2) stalking. For your reading pleasure, those links are as follows:

• Cyberstalking
• Stalking

All together now and with feeling… LMAO!!

Okay… Reality check time. I have never used anyone’s avatar name or real name in a derogatory fashion. I have never given out detailed 1st or 2nd Life information about anyone. I have never posted Chat or IM conversation logs. I do not follow people around the grid screwing with their 2nd Life. I do not contact people in 1st Life unless they wish me to and have expressly told me that I may do so.

What I do do (I always love saying this…lol) is… Observe and express my opinions in a blog web site that people have to explicitly and deliberately choose to read. Yes, I do have a few places I enjoy hanging out at in 2nd Life. Yes, I express my opinions, some of which may not be popular to certain people or groups of people. Yes, I am more serious about my existence in 2nd Life than most.

This brings me to profiles, interactions and chat in public locations, and photos.

First, profiles… Linden Labs generally considers all information, including text and graphics, in profiles as public. If you do not wish others to have have access to this information, you should not post it in your profile. The exception, of course, is copyrighted or trademarked information that you can show you hold either the copyright or trademark on.

As for reading profiles, that is why they exist. If you do not wish people to read your profile, you should not have one. Keep it blank. If you use your profile to post updates about yourself or your business, or to voice opinions and thoughts, or to vent and rant… Your profile is a 2nd life, in-world blog and, as such, public because you wish to share that information openly.

Second, interactions and chat in public locations… Linden Labs considers all interactions and chat in public locations public. Period. You are responsible for your own conduct and how others perceive you. Any public location in 2nd Life, as well as 2nd Life itself is a social venue and network. If you have issues with the social aspect of 2nd Life or interacting, for better or worse, in public areas, you need to get over it and yourself.

Third, photos… To the best of my knowledge, there are no restrictions on taking or using photos in 2nd Life and certainly not in public locations. Just as in 1st Life, being at a public venue means you implicitly understand that you are being observed and possibly photographed or recorded in some fashion. Displaying photos in your profile makes them public in nature. 

For further information on the above, I will point you to a post I did a few weeks ago. That post is here: Freedom of Speech and 2nd Life.

So… Am I a Blogger or a Cyberstalker? I think the former, rather than the latter. Either way, though, I am responsible for my own words, actions, and conduct in 2nd Life and elsewhere on the Internet and in 1st Life. I know I am not perfect and have stated so on this site and in my 2nd Life profile. I have a clear conscious about idoleo.com along with who and what I am in 1st and 2nd Life. I am, in fact, the same in both places. And… that is a statement most people in 2nd Life cannot make.

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For the background story on this blog post, please see the earlier post here.