While reading up on Second life, a website/program where you can create an alternate life through a computer character, I came upon a one-page satire called Get a Life First. Yes, I’ll admit that I played Sims when I was an awkward 7th grader, but I can’t imagine spending my hours, days, life as a 21-year-old woman living an alter ego life on Second Life. From what I understand, in Second Life you can make and socialize with friends, purchase items, listen to a class lecture etc. How about doing these things in real life, where it counts!

From Get a life First:

“America’s teens, your First Life dream world awaits. Hang out at the mall! Embarrass yourself in gym class! Get acne! Experiment with mind-altering recreational drugs! The First Life world is your oyster.”

I don’t believe you can gain real world knowledge by playing Second Life. In the real world, we have real relationships that involve verbal and non-verbal contact. It’s easy to hide behind an online character and be the person you are scared to be in the real world. But easy isn’t true development and I’m afraid that people who are involved with Second Life are avoiding reality and not being true to themselves.