Second Life: Genre Wk 6

 Second Life: Genre

Wk 6

In the wk 6 podcast we learnt about genre; the grouping texts into classes based on similarities. This organisational structure is seen to shape the production and interpretation of texts and thus our appreciation and understanding of the world (Luyn, 2013). In the podcast Luyn shared Mikahail Bukhtins discussions about language being framed in generic types, with some genres being more flexible and creative than others. Genres are seen to grow out of society, inevitably responding to other texts from similar and opposing fields (Luyn, 2013). 

Luyn laid down 6 basic principles that make up genre. Using the content of SL as a case study we can identify the importance of some of these features. The “frame” can be seen as an online collaborative social network (SL) with various “rhetorical functions” due to the vast number of people SL aims to engage with. Because there are many users with different motives the “situation of address” various throughout the platform depending on who has created the piece of text. It can be seen as many microcosms’ amongst one overarching macrocosm (Luyn, 2013).

Public notice board in SL: Due to SL being a collaborative SN few generic rules exist for its texts. Avatars generally communicate privately through instant messaging or even voice chat. It is also possible to place written, visual, audio or videos on public notice boards. 

Serious SL users can literally create anything within the “Grid” (SL World) with little restrictions. SL collaborators attempt to appeal to peoples sense of individual or community identity by presenting understandable texts with a basis in reality despite being virtually enhanced (Luyn, 2013). The authenticity of visual simulations or other texts can be judged by its intricacy and originality and can be seen to reflect the authors "power"(Luyn, 2013). Users can purchase clothing, tattoos, accessories and even land to “develop”. These acquisitions can be seen as a display of there personal characteristics and personality as well as a reflection of achievements, wealth and status or “street cred” (Our Space, 2013).

I see visual decadence as a key way of attracting users and stimulating further communication, exploration and or purchases. I will try to explain this further; Individuals, businesses or community groups (users) may create posters, public artworks, innovative displays or integrated décor which when clicked upon provides users with a link to a website with detailed information about relevant products, conferences or further network connections. For example "Etopia" is an island in SL that is a centre for modelling educational sustainable communities. Innovative energy generation, food production, transport systems and community systems create a distinct sense of place. If you click on a feature such as a wind turbine, a link will pop up - In this case I was directed to a great information source on energy production and use energyteachers.org. McNeil (2011) also highlights the strengths of "links" in relation to blogging, stating “Links act as the new diary shorthand” providing much better information than “continually explaining references” (p.322). I believe the SL platform has taken full advantage of links value by constantly linking users to other websites, that although still virtual are relevant and a level closer to the real world than SL.

References

Luyn, A.V.  (2013). BA1002: Our Space; Networks Narratives and the making of space, week 6 notes. [mp4]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.edu.au

McNeill, L. (2011). Dairy 2.0?: A genre moves from page to screen, in Rowe, C. & Wyss, E.L. (Eds.) Language and new media: Linguistic, cultural, and technological evolutions (pp.313-3325). Creskill, NJ: Hampton.

Our Space. (2013). BA1002: Our Space; Networks Narratives and the making of space, week 6 notes. [Tutorial Guide]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.edu.au

Sagar, M. (2013). Public notice board in SL. Retrieved from http://secondlife.com/