Re: [-empyre-] residing in cyberspace

[Chris Dodds <chris@iconinc.com.au>]

On 12/01/2005, at 11:16 PM, Barrie wrote:

> Perhaps we have to wait for the web/electronic media to be more 
> accessible,
> - a cinematic broadband, more portable - ebooks etc. A cinematic web 
> and a
> really hand-friendly sexy ebook device like the iPod. I find the Xbox 
> really
> engaging, some games pull me along, others digust me. Net radio works 
> for
> me, listening to rebroadcasts of interviews, alt music stations etc.

You only have to look at the popularity of online, 3D, avatar-based 
games such as Second Life [http://www.secondlife.com] or The Sims 
Online [http://www.thesimsonline.com] to see how mainstream the new 
global, virtual community is becoming. Any culturally marginalized 
individual with computer and broadband connection can explore new 
worlds and, more importantly, new identities from their desk. I think 
we're on the fringe of a new virtually-based culture expansion. 
"Players" already trade in-game credits for real money, and hire people 
to "live" their avatars while they're at work to get more credits.

On 6.1.05 12:45 PM, Christine Goldbeck at cgoldie@verizon.net wrote:

> I am hoping that people, men and women, who are marginalized in their 
> own
> culture, can use this cyberworld to explore those identities and 
> dreams and
> I am hoping that new media storytellers and artists are able to show 
> them
> the way through our work.

Its only a matter of time before artists begin selling their concepts 
into this virtual, commercial space I've outlined above.

Cheers,
christo
----------------------------------
Christopher Dodds
Director
Icon Inc - Creative Communications
Floor 3, 351 Elizabeth Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Voice +613 9642 4107
Fax +613 9642 4108
www.iconinc.com.au
www.machinima.com.au