Tuesday 4 September 2007

Sorry to say, but ...

I've been reading some posts and comments this evening here and here and here and frankly I felt I had to add a little something...

Prok, you bitter old hag (and I mean that in the most endearing way), you are loosing it aren't you? Wake up and smell the coffee, SL has changed. It's no longer the little playground we had all to ourselves 2 years ago. Business has moved in, hordes of new av's are roaming the sims and there are just not enough experienced residents around to help them find their way. A lot of them don't care about the politics and possible social impact the metaverse could have. People like Vint do!

Now, before I go on I have a confession to make that is important for the rest of my expose. I'm European, a friend of Vint Falken and some of my work graces the walls of the Rezzable Cannery Gallery. I'm just stating this so you can label me properly. (are you still reading ?) In my defense I can say I've often had a good chuckle reading your stuff in the past.

I have seen the mud going back and forth on both your blogs and I'm afraid to say you really missed a few points. I'm not going to bother with the whole rating, google ranks, en what else stuff. What I want to point out is your obvious lack of empathy and ill will to see things as they are. Take your "Vint’s blog is, again, as anyone can see, about fashion, and about her own builds". That's bullocks. It is not because she illustrates her blogs with original material it is all about "her own builds" whatever you mean by that. If she writes about Open Sim it is because she realises it is the next step in a larger metaverse and when she writes about "some html on a prim" (sic) it is because she sees the possibilities it holds. Mean time you whine you have "nothing to click on at Rezzable" which proves to me you missed the boat. That was Command & Conquer.

You complain about the style in which the Cannery was built but you fail to see the fact a company has actually given residents the possibility to set something up they might otherwise not have been able to. I for one prefer that over another Nissan, IBM, etc sim where I can click on stuff only to get info on how wonderful their stuff is. Style is per definition debatable. What makes Rezzable different is the interaction between a company and independant residents and that is an evolution I applaud even if the execution isn't perfect.

Another thing that bugged me in your comments is the whole US versus the rest of the world thing. English is the Lingua Franca of the industrialised world at this point, but your own legislators had to push a law to make it the official language of the US because the Spanish speaking community in your own country is booming and is expected to outnumber the native English speakers soon if it already hasn't. Oh, and let's not forget a quarter of the worlds population speaks Chinese.

Your statement that the whole (sexual) ageplay thing came from Europe is beyond the pale and I will not even dignify it with a reaction. Or maybe just one, to point out the proven fact that the concrete reaction against sexual ageplay indeed came from Europe, even if charges were recently dropped by the Dutch state prosecutor. The fact people emigrated from Europe to the US because of religious persecution bears no relevance when it comes to SL; those days are long gone. In fact anyone who lives in a country where creationism is openly advocated should shut up about religious zealotry anywhere else. Anyway, all I have to say about this is that, being European, I'm personally offended by such faux rhetoric.

Now last but not least, you call people amateurs as if it were a disease. Amateurs are by definition people who do something because they enjoy it or believe in something. They don't do it for the money. That spirit is what produces the best SL has to offer. I'm an amateur and proud to be so.

My opinion, no more no less. And no, I don't want the discussion to be continued overhere.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I realize it must be awfully satisfying for your ego to imagine this cliche of an older American resident stuck on their sim, never getting off it, acting shocked and annoyed that *other people* gasp came in *their game*. ROFL. But that's not the case at all. I constantly get out, fly around, explore, read -- and visit sims like this and criticize them.

I think my criticism is valid -- and it's needed to make things better. We can't all just come and be passive audiences on these expenso corporate or "fancy metaversal start-up" sims.

I just don't see the "politics" to Vint's blog. Perhaps it's there. I see a lot of superficial, re-hashed stuff. You, as a self-admitted friend, can't see it.

None of this art is getting reviewed by the real world, if you will -- the established art press in print and online in the real world. Does that tell us something? Bloggers give SL art only the most breathless of praise. Or they ignore it totally. At least I pay attention, and attempt to engage. I see second-rate -- even fifth-rate stuff. Stuff that barely rises above the level of porn, often, or splashings made automatically by Photoshop or one of those kid's art kits that whirl paint.

Open Sim has been written about ad nauseum. What is NEW here? We all understand that this is um, just oh-so-fascinating that somebody is hacking and reverse-engineering sims. But...as I always say, open-source=closed society. This is more proof it. And just look at the way Philip is going about it -- first "trusted servers" from his trusted friends getting special licenses.

Just because I don't agree with somebody's build doesn't mean I'm somehow behind the door when it comes to understanding the potential of SL. That's simply ridiculous. It's precisely because I see SL's potential that I have to ask: is this all you can do?

There's nothing to click on. What, you couldn't make more stuff to click on?!

I don't understand why I'm supposed to get all giddy over a company giving artists show space. It's done all over SL, all the time. The question is: is any of it any good?

What's the plan for generating revenue up there at Rezzable?

Spanish is spoken in many cities, but there isn't any danger of it overtaking English. And there's nothing wrong with countries making a language of the majority "the official language". It's done all the time. In fact, if you come to New York, you will see a defactor bilingualism that rivals Toronto or Montreal, everything is in English and Spanish, from the subway to the deli.

How many immigrants does YOUR European country take in per year, what is YOUR country's bilingual policies, and what is YOUR country's official language? hmmm?

It doesn't matter if a quarter of the world's population speaks Chinese. English is a world lingua franca. Chinese is not.

The ageplay thing *did* come from Europe, that's easily demonstrable. All the court cases, media stories, and agitation, ensued from the EU countries. Deal with it.

I've yet to see an official statement that the charges were dropped, and anyway, the law seems clear, and still stands.

The emigration of people from Europe's wars, pogroms, the Holocaust, the Gulag -- these are all vital issues that aren't in "days long gone" but in some cases, a mere 50 years ago, people's lifetimes. Deal with it.

Creationism can be openly advocated just like atheism can be openly advocated precisely because there is free speech and any belief or no belief may be espoused. Deal with it.

Who's got a headscarves issue, Europe or America?

There's nothing wrong with amateurs. I'm one myself. I revel in amateurness. What's open to criticism is when people try to pass themselves off as professionals, and wind up looking amateur.

Prokofy Neva

Anonymous said...

What is nice about internet and blogs is that everybody who think that has something to say, can say it. Myself included. Nothing easier then to set up a blog and start writing.
Whether one write about fashion, politics, own buids, other people's buids it is published in a matter of seconds.
And not only that blogging gives a freedom to write, one is also free to write for whichever reason she wants. From personal satisfaction to getting big money of fame.

If she will succees in desired is question of skill and quality. If readers like negative text about some place written just after an ugly scene on a blog of one of the builders of mentioned place, that is fine with me. If readers like the blog about just fashion and own creations of the author, that is also fine with me.
If readers want blogs about OpenSim, that is... you guess....
Same goes to the sims. It is about visitors if they like the sim or not.

I agree that criticizm is needed, and that it helps things get better. But, most of the time it is the tone and motivation of criticizm, that is important in that process.

And about open-source... once again, it is upon the users to decide. Just as any of us has a right and freedom to go to Gorean sim and become a slave, one also has a right to use closed and proprietary software. Though, becoming a slave in virtual world has no impact on broader society as supporting proprietary software has.

I would not like to go into proprietary vs free software advocasy, because it will take aus too mch time and will lead nowhere. Just the same, let's stay out of WWII and headscarves, cause U.S. are not the bright star in that story.

Unknown said...

as also posted on his blog.. (amonst other comments..)
I repeat it here because I mentioned your blog Loki.. hope you dont mind..


Oh my poor Prokofy...
the more I read your scribblings, the more I feel sorry for you..

Your blogs, for which you do take time to think about I guess, seem reasonable.. (or is somebody reviewing them for you..)
But the comments and replys you post.. why are they full of forgone conclusions.. even platitudes..??

"Pretty soon you'll understand that all ink is good ink, that all discussion, even controversial, is a good thing.."
True.., but do you understand that yourself?? You seem to take every reaction, opposite opinion, even the constructive ones, as a personal attack to your own little being.. And you do seem to feel the need to react, counterattack even, against every single one.. not by entering a discussion, but just by spewing vitriol.. Funny, even on points somebody agrees with you..

"When do *I* get to create something whimsical and wonderful? Even some little thign? Some tiny part?"
Is that it.. you feel frustrated because your creations arent appreciated, known by the masses? Because your "Prok's Seafood" isnt consumed in every SL takeaway chinese restaurant?? Because you too, you want to be in the centre of attention.. only to find yourself completely out of focus..??

When do you get to create something..??
Well my dear Prokofy.. right now.. if you really want it. If your sourness and lack of positive creativity arent preventing it..
Right now.. if you decide spending your precious time on creating the wonderfull stuff you long for, instead of spouting insults on other peoples blog.. yes, insults, no critisism..
Critisism demands founded arguments, not repeating over and over again the same fixed ideas you consider to be your "opinion"..

Maybe you CAN help create a better SL by writing against the mainstream.. maybe..
But then again.. what do you really contribute?? You keep repeating that there is need for something new, something different.. I back you up on that.. but did you ever give an example, or even a slight hint which direction we should be heading..
That things must be clickable?? Ok, good point, that IS new.. innovative..
I started "clicking" when first using Windows 3.11 and that is what, only 15 years ago..??? That is just a blink of the eye.. especially if you use the timescale you proposed on Loki Popinjays blog..:
"these are all vital issues that aren't in "days long gone" but in some cases, a mere 50 years ago, people's lifetimes"

I dont understand your point on amateurism neither.. One time you consider them as the real SL people.. the ones who, opposed to the (semi-)professionals, do enjoy SL..
But on the other hand : "I chalk this up to thin-skinnedness, amateur or youth status".., your words Prokofy; was this ment as a compliment??

You are right.. there are thin-skinned around here.. but it isnt me..
Take a good look Prokofy.. and you will see that you are facing a mirror..

I give you a big hug.. you need it..
its clear you are frustrated and missing some attention and affection..
poor little boy.

Now..deal with it.

Unknown said...

Just some points.. to filter out the crap.. see of anything of value remains..

***" But that's not the case at all. I constantly get out, fly around, explore, read -- "

Whow!! I am impressed.. the adventurous type are you??
But I tell you a secret.. we all do that.. that is what, for most, SL is all about..

**"I have looked at statues of nudes and paintings my whole life. So? They are rated M when they are full frontal nudity in media, like newspapers and movies..."
(from one of your replies Prokofy..)
Freedom of speech and expresion??

**"I just don't see the "politics" to Vint's blog"

an example :

http://gva.typepad.com/stemmengegons/2007/06/index.html

from the elections special of one of the major newspapers in the dutch/flemish speaking part of Belgium.. Whe had national (senat and congres) elections last june.. surprised Prokofy?? yes.. your are not living in the worlds only democracy..

***And sorry it is not in the worlds lingua franca.. but..
"what is YOUR country's bilingual policies,.."
Well, to be honest, we dont have that.. we are TRIlingual.. Dutch/Flemish, French and German..
With a vast majority also speaking some english...

"..everything is in English and Spanish, from the subway to the deli.." whow.., but its like with the urban decay sims.. been there, done that.. Brussels has multi-lingual signs for longer then my lifetime..

***"How many immigrants does YOUR European country take in per year.."
well, we are at about 10% of the population.. but in a country that wasnt totally created by immigrants.. up till some 6 decades ago we were emmigrants..
face it; you are an immigrant too..

***"The ageplay thing *did* come from Europe, that's easily demonstrable. All the court cases, media stories, and agitation, ensued from the EU countries. Deal with it."

Exactly.. we ARE dealing with it.. that is just the point.. thats why its surfacing..
Doesnt it exist in the USA, or are they in the land of the free and the brave just to hypocrite and afraid to face it..???
Its not because you close your eyes that it doesnt exist anymore..

***"It's precisely because I see SL's potential that I have to ask: is this all you can do?"

I asked you a couple of times allready.. dont just tear down the existing.. share with us your vision on this bright new future..
or.. you dont have a clue, do you??

*** "What's open to criticism is when people try to pass themselves off as professionals, and wind up looking amateur."

Shouldnt that be a great quote for your SL-profile??

Oh.. wednesday it is.. I have to hurry, today the citys dustmen come to collect the garbage..

Anonymous said...

"Now last but not least, you call people amateurs as if it were a disease. Amateurs are by definition people who do something because they enjoy it or believe in something. They don't do it for the money. That spirit is what produces the best SL has to offer. I'm an amateur and proud to be so."

Made me think of the remark that amateurs built the Ark, while professional built the Titanic!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting post, Loki.
PN is just a troll with a discourse, more or less interesting depending your point of view, but is just a troll. The question is not what she/he/it thinks, the question is the insult, the destructive criticism. I'm european, but i will not entry in this "virtual conflict Europe-USA", i'm sure both have things to be proud of and things to feel ashamed.

About the question:"How many immigrants does YOUR European country take in per year, what is YOUR country's bilingual policies, and what is YOUR country's official language? hmmm?"
My country has 4 official languages, one main (spanish), and others officials in its areas of historical influence (catalan, vasque, and galician), inmigrants are about 10% of population, arriving to 15 or even 20% in some areas.

I still remember a comment from PN in Vint's blog comparing the reactions his/her/its comments produced on the europeans commenters with Holocaust and Gulag. Compare the disagree with this kind of mass murders, is, at least, pretentious and immoral. I agree than Holocaust happened 50 years ago. Guantanamo is now, today!

As i said i'm sure Europe and USA have things to be proud of and things to feel ashamed.