Media is taking to Second Life like (oh groan) a second life. The online progressive news site and community, rabble.ca is extending their book lounge into Second Life, announcing one of its opening events for April 10th. And, if you can possibly make it to this one, do so! Author, Don Tapscott – you may know him from Growing Up Digital book fame – will be there discussing his new, important, seminal book (imho) Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything.
The rabble book lounge serves up rigorous reviews, lively events, and a left-leaning bookstore on the web – Second Life seems a natural fit for them, experimenting with new delivery and media engagement models.
rabble.ca is progressive media indeed, with a mix of citizen journalists and well-known columnists, supported by donations and sustaining members. It is an alternative news source for all things Canadian and is a project of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Aimed at social action you’ll find an activists' advice column, a radio book lounge and the community discussion board called babble. Wayne McPhail of w8nc, who hosts the excellent Who’s on Second? Podcast founded the rpn there – rabble podcast network.
Now, as for the book, if you have not yet picked up a copy of Wikinomics, please just stop now and put it on the top of your list. [disclaimer: I am a registered member of the wiki that is collaboratively writing the “unwritten playbook chapter" - and you can be too.] Tapscott and his co-author Anthony Williams lead readers on a anecdotal journey through the deep sociological changes that social media and networks have had (notice I did not say “are having”) on business and everything else. This is the first book I have read that succinctly and truly smartly sums up the enormous business impacts of social media and places them in the context of business innovation and new business models. I may be exceptionally partial to it because it happens to follow much of my presentation style, story telling and instruction.
Yes, Tapscott and Williams even discuss Second Life, which itself has been likened to a wiki. To get a taste of Wikinomics, listen to Harvard Business Review's podcast with Tapscott. It is episode 31 on this page.
Anyone else finding they are spending an increasing amount of time in Second Life chatting up people we would likely not have the chance to in RL?
Go - April 10th, 4:00 p.m. SLT, 7:00 p.m. EDT. Better World Island at Better World/117/209/29.
The space is currently open and will be hosting its first event on March 21st at 5:00 p.m. SLT with writer Cathi Bond discussing Barbara Gowdy's novel, Helpless.
March 15, 2007
"Anyone else finding they are spending an increasing amount of time in Second Life chatting up people we would likely not have the chance to in RL?"
Absolutely. It's one of my favorite things about the virtual world space.
Posted by: Adri Saarinen | Mar 15, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Mine too, Adri! It may not always be that we can network so easily and powerfully there but it is by far the most compelling aspect of the virtual world for me.
Posted by: Linda Zimmer | Mar 15, 2007 at 03:19 PM
I am certainly meeting many new people in SL than in RL. Especially through www.talksecondlife.com - there I have met many new avatars from all walks of business life.
Posted by: Jacob Ross | Mar 16, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Thank you for recommending this book. I went to my local bookstore and bought it as soon as I read your post! Excellent and inspiring reading!
Posted by: JohanChandrayaan | Mar 20, 2007 at 06:58 AM
So glad you found the book valuable, Johan. Once you've finished it, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Posted by: Linda Zimmer | Mar 20, 2007 at 07:18 PM