Not Quite Yet The Matrix...

Political storytelling in virtual worlds can work to a certain degree if the world being depicted is accurately reflected. I came across this video/write up about understanding Islam using virtual worlds.

full article here.

In this specific example, on the one hand it's a fascinating attempt to help folks explore the myriad facets of a largely misunderstood, mostly by the west, religion. On the other, and in more general terms, what one can explore is a creation by the owner. That "reality" will show what the author wants to show. If the script is true to form, then walking about a mosque, taking the Hajj or visiting an office can become a valuable experience. If the representations aren't accurate it might still be a wonderful experience but won't offer the visitor a "true" experience.

In the clip, one of the avatars greatly resents "visitors" visiting the mosque with their shoes on and wants to force everyone's shoes off. This got me thinking to how are these worlds governed?

Most of us were born into or adopted the governance of our respective countries, states, schools, clubs, or homes. In virtual worlds rules and politics were developed only recently. And, in a political sense, as these worlds evolve into more complex states and enjoy (or suffer) a wider diversity of visiting cultures, will the rules adopted become more like those in the "real" world or will virtual politics be able to iron out some of the existing kinks? If so can those fixes be brought back to and implemented in the "real" world...

"The paradox for Linden Lab was how to realize the ongoing creation of Second Life in a way that was consistent with their idealized vision of individual creativity and liberty, while remaining indisputably and unavoidably the single most powerful institutional player on the scene." -Legitimate Question, Terranova