The Virtual World Postcard Project

Dear Readers,

Greetings from the Virtual World Postcard Project. I’ve been putting this expedition off for a long time – too daunting, too time-consuming, etc. Given some of my other recent projects, though, I can no longer procrastinate.

I devote a large section of The Erotic Engine to virtual worlds. I also recently  spoke at IdeaCity about virtual pregnancy, childbirth and child rearing.

You’d think I’d be something of a virtual world pro by now. But these worlds remain enigmatic and compelling to me, and my explorations have barely scratched the surface. I have visited Second Life a handful of times, and spent a bit of time in World of Warcraft. There is still much to discover – in those worlds and others.

Exploring a virtual world leaves me with a haunted feeling as though something secret is happening all around me, and I just can’t seem to attune myself to it. I want to demystify these worlds, for myself and for others.

Virtual worlds have yet to realize their potential in mainstream culture. I believe that potential is huge. I think they can revolutionize how we communicate with one another as radically as have the World Wide Web, email, or Facebook.

I’m giving myself some rules for this project:

1. I won’t do anything in a virtual world that I would not be willing to do in real life. The first strange truth about virtual worlds: They are not fantasy. They’re not real either, but what happens there happens. So no clandestine vices or other untoward activity for me.

2. I will respect the culture within each world, avail myself of  the guidance and wisdom of more experienced travelers, and learn from my mistakes and gaffes.

3. I will approach virtual worlds with the same openness I strive for in real life travel. I will seek rich, broad experience, make friends, learn everything I can, and report it all back here.

My reports will take the form of postcards, posted here whenever I discover something valuable or intriguing.

I’ll write soon,

Patchen