I wish I could tell you more about what was said, but the whole talk was streamed by audio, and I (being hard of hearing), and several others (with dodgy streams) couldn't really hear what was said. So... I am chasing them to see if they will publish a transcript, and will let you know if they do - they obviously hadn't planned to!
The highlights that I got from chat summaries:
- Philip said SL is cool.
- The MacArthur president, Jonathan Fanton, said they're here to explore and learn how they can do things to work further in SL and support their aims. They've already been here, on Teen SL with Global Kids, but they're looking to offer more in time.
- Things will develop and they'll be in touch in future.
- Philip said, I think, that whilst there is sex and stuff in SL, there is in all bits of human activity and the media tend to scream and shout about it, in a way that 10 years ago they did about the internet. Also that the people that come to SL and use it for what it is, rather than what they already do will thrive - just like Borders and Amazon both tried to be online bookstores 10 years ago, but only one is left now, because it adapted to the environment.
[Update: check out the MacArthur Foundation Spotlight for the dialog - it's not there yet, but will be.]
1. I have some notes, pics and a short video here: http://www.rikomatic.com/blog/2007/06/lowering-barrie.html
Posted at 4:11PM on Jun 22nd 2007 by Rik Riel