My NPR geek moment

[rowanf]

scifri11-9_005.jpg
Originally uploaded by rowanf.

OMG! My avatar's question to Dr. Oliver Sacks got onto Science Friday! How fun is that! Dr Sacks was talking about his book, "Musicophilia". And so I asked:

This is Rosmairta in San Jose. I have a soundtrack in my brain pretty much all the time. I'd feel rather lost without it. But I have gotten the impression that not everyone has this experience of always having music in their heads. Does Dr. Sacks have an opinion on that?


Okay, to back up. Back at Burning Life, one of the people I worked with was Bjorlyn who is one of the inworld hosts for SciFri. I thought that sounded totally cool and today I finally didn't have something happening at midday and could attend inworld. We crashed a bunch of times so I was glad I was listening to the program on the radio. *laugh* But wow. Oliver Sacks is one of my heros, I am fascinated by his brain research. I would never had made a phone call... you all know my profound phone phobia. Second Life really does provide opportunities I'd never have otherwise. :-)

Comments

[liveavatar.livejournal.com]

Cool! So what did he say?

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

Well Ira fumbled the question a little. Dr. Sacks thought it unusual but within the range of human experience. Or that was my impression anyway.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I heard that, and came home to tell Casey about it! Ha!

[kayre]

Hi, I followed mactavish's link to this. I also always have that inner soundtrack; in fact I've learned that its absence is a sign that I'm slipping into clinical depression. So I'd love to know what he said!

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Quicktime podcast:
http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200711094

:)

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

He didn't really say all that much. He thought it unusual but not significant, I think. When I am sliding toward depression (which thank all the powers I have not done since menopause) I find my soundtrack gets melancholy but I don't remember it ever going away.

[eve-prime.livejournal.com]

And did he have an opinion on that?

In my graduate seminar on imagination, we've all made SL avatars and done some exploring. Our instructor is interested in the potential for using SL to do research on imagination and creativity.

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

Well, if you are inworld and want a bit of a native guide, IM me and I'll be happy to show you around. Or help you jazz up your avatar. Or whatever. :-) There are a lot of educators and librarians inworld. I'll be interested to hear if they decide to do the research.

[eve-prime.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We had a guest speaker come who is very active in the Chilbo community, and he's been giving us lots of resources. We are all such newbies, though.

[(Anonymous)]

Interesting! Who is your instructor?

[spiritmoving.livejournal.com]

Interesting! Who is your instructor?

[eve-prime.livejournal.com]

Her name is Marjorie Taylor; she's an expert on imaginary friends. She's pretty new to SL too.

[spiritmoving.livejournal.com]

That IS very interesting - I can see the connection there. Second Life is kind of a bridge between imaginary friends and having friends who are outside of the main part of your life. And where you get to all play imaginatively with each other! What fun! I'm pretty new to SL myself, rather fascinated with the possibilities.

[eve-prime.livejournal.com]

I'm much more accustomed to MUDs, which have a text interface and much more obvious ways to experience being inside of stories. SL still feels aimless to me, which is actually something I'm interested in researching.

[spiritmoving.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Well, IT is aimless - you have to find your own aims. Just like life, really. I see it being used as a way to create community, for one thing. And for me, it's very handy as a way to hang out with my partner when we are separated geographically. Phone calls are limited, but we like to spend time together. So we can hang out together in SL, with Skype going at the same time, and it's really a nice way to connect when we're apart.

[spiritmoving.livejournal.com]

Look me up on SL - I'm Ayla Nightfire.

[eve-prime.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm Liriel Weatherwax. :)

[eve-prime.livejournal.com]

The feature of socializing with people one already knows makes a lot of sense to me. My best friend lives on the other side of the country, and yet we manage to spend a few hours together most days, with Yahoo IM and our MUD.

But for people who don't have someone to meet, I'm wondering how it generally works for people to create their sense of identity in SL. That is, a person can take the initiative to talk to people they find, to go to events, and to join groups, but there isn't an obvious path into it, and a lot of people seem to just explore a bit, then never come back. I think that people often need a sense of "personal narrative" that motivates them to return, and that it would make sense for the Linden people to program a bit more of that into the game.

[spiritmoving.livejournal.com]

Yes, I see what you mean. Actually, I would say that what you are describing is true for a lot of people in RL as well. They are isolated and don't know how to connect with people. My partner was introduced to the Elf Circle by a mutual friend who thought he'd feel comfortable there, and he has developed quite a lot of connections there. They have greeters and are generally fairly welcoming to newcomers, so if someone wanders in they may come away with an sense of having a real interaction with someone - and would be more likely to return.

[eve-prime.livejournal.com]

That sounds so much nicer than being followed around Orientation Island by a sometimes naked guy who keeps propositioning all the women.

(Thanks for the thoughts - I'm going to sleep now. Good night!)

[bellacrow.livejournal.com]

That was you? How neat!!!

Rosmairta Tunes in to Ira!!

[spikeiowa.livejournal.com]

I was listening in RL, and hearing him read your question was SO cool! And Oliver Sacks said you are "unusual," didn't he?

Re: Rosmairta Tunes in to Ira!!

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think so. It is a bit of a blur. LOL I have listened to SciFri forever. I can't believe I finally "called in".

[spiritmoving.livejournal.com]

Totally cool! I know what you mean about phone phobia and the opportunities provided through Second Life for those of us who just don't DO phone.

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry we didn't get to visit on Sunday. I was (and am) totally sick. My latest cold has gone into an ear infection and I just didn't have the attention span for SL. I got off and took a nap. :-)

[spiritmoving.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear you are sick! I had something for almost six weeks in September, that kiind of thing can really knock you out. Rest up and heal!

[rubibees.livejournal.com]

Oh you go girl!!! thats so very cool, and like spikeiowa said, Dr. Sachs said you were unusual--thats a badge of honor!! Sorry to here you are sick again, time to slow down a bit? Sending love and healing--

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

I feel like I am totally slowed down! No work today, sleep and vegging. I haven't been able to do anything! I missed Erika's birthday party on Saturday. *whine* I want to be well!

[rubibees.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, I didnt remember that Erika is a Scorpio! So sorry you missed her party, I'm sure it was interesting! But I know the pace you keep up girl, and it would wear out an Olympian! Did you see the lovely pic of Deborah Ann Light that Anna posted to AIR?

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

I did. I thought it was amazing. I have a candle going for Deborah.

[rubibees.livejournal.com]

I agree--absolutely beautiful. Check my journal for another beautiful pic! I hope you are feeling better today dear.