New "The Infinite Mind" Second Life Radio Series Available

Drew Stein CEO of Infinite Vision Media was kind enough to email me today to let me know that The Infinite Mind public radio show has produced a new series of three one-hour radio shows about Second Life.  The series is titled Through the Looking Glass: Virtual Communities.  The radio shows will be available in-world in The Infinite Mind listening rooms as of tomorrow; and will begin being broadcast then on public radio shows across the U.S. and on Sirius radio.  You can listen to Part 1 now on the ICMedia site.

If you've ever listened to The Infinite Mind you know the material they produce is consistently high-quality and thought-provoking.

Part 1 of the series, Exploring Virtual Communities, is easy listening yet a fascinating set of interviews.  Philip Rosendale, CEO of Linden Lab and creator of Second Life, shares his thoughts on the concept of “presence” which is a vital characteristic of Second Life and he explains why presence makes SL the immersive experience it is.  He also discusses “persistent identity” which is a feature that distinguishes Second Life from other types of virtual communities or games.

Dr. Thomas Malaby, anthropologist, with a grant from the  National Science Foundation, did a yearlong on-site research study at Linden Lab.  He tells us what distinguishes Second Life from a game – yet what certain elements of “game” it retains that make SL so compelling. He has observations about the parallels between Linden Lab as a corporation and Second Life as its creation.

Bill Lichtenstein of ICMedia and Drew Stein provide some commentary on the possibilities of Second Life.  The show also reprises an interview with futurist Howard Rhinegold.  Interviewer John Hockenberry always asks insightful questions, and it is refreshing to hear a truly thoughtful discussion toward finding the meaning of these virtual worlds.

The other two radio shows in the series are scheduled to begin broadcasting on October 4 and October 11.  Try to catch them.

You may also purchase copies of the show or transcripts here.

Photo credit:  Taken from the Lip Flap machinima, by David Laundra

September 28, 2006