Not everybody understands Second Life, but for some it may be harder than others. Imagine being born in 1923 when the traffic signal and band aids are new inventions. In your early teens, you can finally enjoy FM radio while playing a brand new game called Monopoly. As a young adult, you learn about a new cooking tool called the microwave oven, which you can purchase with another new invention, the credit card. Life goes on as you witness audio cassettes, AstroTurf, and Rollerblades. Each new invention revolutionizing our culture and adding complexity to our world.
Just when you thought you could keep up, along comes the personal computer. Nothing in the core of your life's experiences has really prepared you to adopt this new tool, but there is no avoiding it. Computers are not only a part of your supermarket and banking experience, but you often have to talk to one when calling the customer service department of any company. It can be overwhelming.
The person to who I am referring is actually my Grandmother (referred to lovingly as Yiayia in Greek families.) I get to see Yiayia at least twice a year. Ever since I was a little girl, our whole family would come to three houses on a private beach for three weeks in the month of July for fun, sun, and relaxation. I get to see her again in December when we all get together for Christmas (right now.) During these events, Yiayia is always excited and proud to hear of the accomplishments of her family. Her granddaughter just got a great job at a publishing firm. Her grandson just got into Harvard.
And then there's Aimee. What on earth does Aimee do?
Earlier today, Yiayia stood nodding quietly as I showed her American Apparel. "Did you draw that?" she asks. "Well, sort of," I reply. "But it's a little different than drawing, it's 3D! " She smiles with unconditional love. Yiayia is genuinely excited for me when I show her my appearances in Wired Magazine, BusinessWeek, on the cover of TOC Magazine, and even in The Wall Street Journal. She knows something great is happening, but she can't wrap her mind around it. Before going back to the kitchen to prepare the spanakopita, she acknowledges supportively, "You're good with the computer!"
It was then that I suddenly remembered one more little project that I wanted to show her. It wasn't a project for which I earned any press or money. In fact, the unfinished project resides in a hidden place. I did it just for me.
"Yiaiyia, let me show you one more thing. I made the beach houses!" She perked up.
The instant she saw the familiar rustic New England style homes, everything about what I do in Second Life snapped into place. She was ecstatic. She could explore the detailed virtual replica of our home and see the the inner tubes and chairs we normally leave along the beach. As she wandered about, she instantly recognized the back porch area where she would enjoy her morning newspaper. Seeing the virtual children's shoes and playing cards strewn about the floor, Yiayia mused: "Those kids never pick up after themselves!"
Within five minutes, her understanding of Second Life jumped to an entirely new level as she blurted out, "You could do this for a real estate agent, couldn't you?" Her mind was racing with ideas and opportunities. "You could give people tours of homes from far away!" she enthused. "That's a great idea Yiayia," I said quite sincerely.
It's going to be a great Christmas for me, but it has nothing to do with proving myself or winning my Grandmother's love and respect. I know I don't have to worry about that. But by giving Yiayia something familiar to grasp onto in Second Life, she was able to understand more about the world that has become so important to me. I was able to remove a barrier that separated old and new, her world and my world ...
... Grandmother and Granddaughter.
1. Lovely, Aimee.
I'm sure many have fellow-feeling with you as we try to explain to parents, grandparents, friends, and siblings what exactly it is we /do/ while sitting at our computers for hours upon end. Like yours, my family is impressed and pleased with magazine and newspaper articles, but for most of them it hasn't really clicked yet. I hope when they are finally able to /see/ SL (in less than a week, for my parents), something will generate the kind of recognition for them that your grandmother found.
How wonderful.
Posted at 9:26PM on Dec 23rd 2006 by Adri Saarinen