With the growing focus on Second Life, the issue of celebrity is starting to rear its head more often. And like real-life, celebrity is a fascinating and complex issue. Some people admire the achievements of some who become ‘famous’. Others enjoy celebrity-watching as a blood sport and some find it all pointless. Whatever the perspective, celebrity is a reality in SL.
The first type of celebrity in SL is the real-world replica. Adopted Australian Ben Folds performed in October 2005, with Suzanne Vega one of the first ‘big names’ in-world, with Duran Duran the first well-known band. Actors, politicians and other well-known individuals have also made the jump and the momentum is only going to grow.
The second type of celebrity is the ‘home-grown in SL’ type. Anshe Chung is an obvious example, some of the Linden staff are others. Being instantly accessible in-world via IM or groups makes managing the attention a very interesting proposition. With either type of SL celebrity, the question is – why? Why does it look like an ‘elite’ is going to develop in SL – is it just a sociological reality that can’t be avoided?
God knows, I’ve scratched my head about this often enough, myself.
God knows, I’ve scratched my head about this often enough, myself.
Maybe everyone needs heroes – or at the very least something/someone to measure themselves against – good or bad?
Maybe everyone needs heroes – or at the very least something/someone to measure themselves against – good or bad?