This week we also explored virtual worlds like Second Life, Gaiaonline and World of Warcraft. Through experimenting with Second life, I came to a realization. Second life reminds me of the holodeck on Star Trek; the Next Generation. On the holodeck, one can explore an alternate life, time period, analyze data and run test simulations as Data, Gordie and Captain Jen Luc Picard often did on many of the television episodes. I case you haven't guessed, I am a Trekkie. Not the wear-costumes-to-conventions kind, but the I-like-how-Captain-Kirk-keeps-talking-about-the-Prime-Directive-of-no-interference-yet-usually-destroys-a-planet's-culture kind of Trekkie. Star Trek is a phenomenon because Gene Rodenberry had insight. He and his writing team created communicators, replicators, phasers,and voice activated computers. This wouldn't be impressive except he created these items in the early 1960's long before our current technology boom. Now communicators look eerily like cell phones, voice activated computers are available and the military has the prototypes to phasers. That's a pretty good track record. I can see Second life as the forerunner of a holodeck. On the holodeck people move through computer simulated worlds interacting with three dimensional holograms. It's used for educational purposes, art and cultural recitals and entertainment. Yes, I can see Second life and virtual worlds like it becoming the precursor to future educational learning centers to engage students of the future. So as Jean Luc Picard would say, "Ahead. Warp factor two, engage!
