For this assignment, you should acquire a free skin and shape of a gender or race different from your avatar's current identity. Then you will go a few places with other avatars present to see how you are treated. If you are griefed, just teleport back to Richmond Island.
In a project of at least 1000 words and including at least four snapshots, you will record what happened. The major claim you will discover (and reason toward) will answer this question: was your avatar treated differently from before? If so, what was the biggest difference? If not, why do you think s/he was not treated any differently?
Hints as to how you can do change your look:
- You can pick up free skins and shapes both at Sarah Nerd's Freebie Paradise and Milky9 (second floor and check the floor map). If you are switching genders, it's best to get some clothing to fit "the new you."
- Be sure you get a shape, skin, and hair that work for your new self. Keep in mind that a male skin will work on a female shape (and vice versa) but the results are horrid. Class mentors Cynthia Barley, Dianna Defiant, and Tenchi Morigi are our "fashionistas" who can assist women in getting their outfits together. Iggy is helpful to a lesser degree for male avatars.
- To "wear your new self" you will need to open the box if the items are boxed and then either 1) copy to inventory and wear or 2) copy to inventory and put them on later.
- Note that your Library folder contains "stock" male and female avatars of both genders. Look in the "clothing" folder of your library; there is a folder for each of the default SL avatars. To use these pre-made avatars, you will have to drag the contents of the folder (one item at a time) to your inventory folder. It is tedious, but it works.
Okay, I'm another person! Now what?
You must go at least 4 places (ones you have already been or new ones) and get a picture of yourself near other avatars. Turn on the chat and IM logs when you get there (or just leave them running). Then you must complete the following tasks. By the way, do not just "poof" in and fire off the questions. Stay long enough to enter the conversation at each location.
- Pretend you are new to SL (not much of a stretch). Introduce yourself to those present in chat and ask for advice about what there is to do in SL that's worthwhile
- Ask for advice about how to find good free items in SL
- Tell those present that you are doing some research on SL. Pick any topic appropriate to your final project's likely subject. Ask for advice.
Comments (2)
Tenchi Morigi said
at 5:24 am on Oct 14, 2008
Just a hint for your work.
When approaching point 3. of the assignment make sure you already have a pretty good idea what you want to do and what to achieve. From my experience people tend to react quite touchy on the grid when someone apporaches them with only very vague research project ideas. The usual reactions usually range from "are you too lazy to think for yourself." to "it doesn´t matter what we suggest or think your opinion is formed already."
When you can explain yourself and the direction you are heading into people tend to be more interested and open and a good discussion can be the result.
Another thing to keep in mind. Some of you might want to choose the opposite sex rather then another race (even though I would recommend both) and that might result in some very harsh reaction when you meet the wrong people. A good deal of avatars around the grid are not in RL what they appear to be on the grid. This lead to a certain degree of disdain from certain avatars since they feel cheated. Don´t be discouraged by that simply ignore those people and if you are in the mood confront them ... sometimes from a situation like that more can emerge (like I noticed when I was on tour with my Horseavatar that wore a skisuit).
So keep that in mind when you are on the hunt. And good luck with the task.
T
Joe Essid said
at 1:42 pm on Oct 21, 2008
Tenchi is correct about point 3. Be careful how you approach that. You may need to be as specific as asking "I'm researching car culture in SL. What is the best race-track to see the really good drivers?"
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