A Reflection on my use of Online Social Media

As a young adult in 2016, it is almost impossible to avoid using social media. For example, one of my favourite forms of communication is quickly becoming SnapChat. This app allows myself and my peers to send short videos and pictures with an extremely limited amount of text to one another within seconds. Whether this is a good or a bad thing is questionable. Although we are technically saying less to one another, the fact that we can send pictures and videos efficiently allows us to communicate much more in a short time than before. For example a clip from a holiday, a night out or a gig.
It is safe to say that without sites like Facebook, I would miss out on a lot of useful information. Particularly in regard to college. Not only do myself and my closest friends have a group chat in which we organise events, meeting up and discussion, my BACCI class have our own Facebook group chat (another incredibly useful aspect of Facebook). In this chat we share notes, useful information about classes, cancellations, updates on assignments and help for one another. It is easy to see how without subscribing to these social media and networking channels we would be left "out of the loop". Although I don't use Twitter and rarely post on Instagram, I often use them to see what others have posted. Social media is where I get the majority of my news, it's where I learn about fashion, culture, music and the world around me. Without using Facebook we may not learn about interesting cultural events or even relevant protests we may wish to attend for example. It allows us to create discourse around topics that are relevant to us. It allows young artists and musicians to get the word out about their events. We can get our art out there, into the public eye effectively and efficiently. I feel as though this will only progress with time as social media grows and becomes a more important aspect of our lives. Although there are of course negative aspects to this on-line, image orientated culture, the benefits and opportunities are endless in regards to expanding our knowledge and even our career options. This is particularly true for those of us contributing to the cultural industries.

My Experience of the Consumer Economy in SL.

It is easy enough to purchase items in Second Life by teleporting to shops or by searching the items we wish to purchase. Today I decided to treat myself. Fortunately I was given a gift of some Linden Dollars, from our Second Life tutor. As we know, Second Life is created by it's users. It is interesting to see how many things are available to purchase here. I have heard in the past about many people making a career out of designing things like clothing and properties to be placed on the Second Life market. It is nice that people are interested in using their creativity to provide cool experiences for those involved in the community, allowing them to enrich their Second Life experience. If I wished I could purchase items such as a car, to explore the world more conveniently. We can use items we buy in Second Life to express our individuality, for instance by choosing certain clothing or accessories. We may also have the chance to engage in role-play by purchasing the suitable items. While I may not be able to afford a new hairstyle, or to own a car, castle or swimming pool in real life, Second Life may make it a (virtual) reality. :)

Clubbing in Second Life

So this evening I had my first experience in a dance and electronic music club in Second Life. First I visited Ambrosia Club where there was a live DJ but it was empty. It seemed more like a store than a club as there were many shops selling clubbing attire. I then visited The Blok, which although attracted a friendly crowd was still pretty dead. I hope if I go clubbing again at a different time I will get to socialise more and make some Second Life friends. I then visited Opaque which was by far the coolest of the clubs. It was impressively large and there was live music and really cool remixes. I was able to click on the sound system and choose what kind of music I would like to listen to which was interesting. Other SL dj's had contributed their own playlists. I would highly recommend this club to SL friends. It's certainly a good way for DJ's and musicians to have the opportunity to get there music out there into the virtual world. I can also see how people who live in isolated scenarios such as those who are say disabled or those who live inconveniently far from civilisation to get a taste of what it may be like to be immersed in a social situation such as clubbing. I can see how if the place was busier it may be an appealing way to spend time socialising.
It is easy to see the benefits of using something like Second Life to explore our ability to share art, music and other things, particularly for those working in creative and cultural industries or new media jobs.