Hey, mainsteam media: Second Life is not just about sex, griefing, and making money!

I get tired of hearing the same ol’ SL news stories over and over. These stories are usually reported by somebody who has never even logged onto the grid – or if they did log in they skipped orientation then went straight to the first sex club they could find to start digging up some dirt.

To help counter this narrow view of SL I am going to start posting more examples of how people are using SL as a positive platform for change and growth. Here are just a few of the notices that came through my Google Alerts setup for the phrase “Second Life” in the past few days.

Palomar West
This ‘Hospital of the Future’ has been visualized in Second Life, including an interactive tour of the hospitals facilities and technologies. The tour uses video to good effect, with SL-rendered videos to guide visitors and provide information about the project. Article on Dusan Writer’s Metaverse ~ Direct Teleport

University of Houston’s Texas Obesity Research Center
Researchers will be recruiting 500 avatars who will learn about nutrition, and engage in virtual exercises, and record the progress of the RL weightloss. The program is hoping to discover if these virtual activities will have an effect on RL behavior. Article on SF Gate ~ Direct Teleport

Literature Alive!
“What if, in addition to reading a book, we could actually visit the locations we read about?What if, instead of reading the words of a Lincoln or a Shakespeare, we could hear them speak?” The Literature Alive! project seeks to provide quality content to SL residents by focusing on the creation, development, and dissemination of literary resources in Second Life.  Further, the program seeks to help new RL college faculty use the resources within SL to teach effectively and ethically. More info on their Blog ~ Direct Teleport

Texas State Technical College
Beginning fall ’08, TSTC will be offering a Digital Media certificate utilizing virtual world technology using Second Life as the primary delivery method. The Digital Media certificate will include courses in computer applications, professional development, basic graphic design, digital imaging, digital publishing, computer illustration, fundamentals of photography and design communication. Press Release ~ Direct Teleport

Second Life HIV/AIDS Support Network
The HIV/AIDS SUpport Network has been created to allow all the various Groups and Organizations that support and educate about HIV/AIDS related issues to have a central place to meet and discuss. More info on their WIKI ~ Direct Teleport

University of Cincinatti Galapagos Island Project
“The website for the project hasn’t been launched yet, so I’ll have more info soon, but we have several exciting things planned, including using the Second Life Galapagos Project in conjunction with several courses in a variety of disciplines, and also to incorporate images, video, and reports from the field as student groups take trips to the REAL Galapagos Islands and bring artifacts back for us to display on the virtual islands.” More info ~ Teleport to UC’s SL Office