metanomics 101

It seems like ages ago that I gave my opening presentation, Metanomics 101, to the Metanomics audience. But now that we have gotten some additional funding, we have arranged for someone to create transcripts of our old shows, starting with the first one. You can download it here. Re-reading this, I can see how much I have learned about Second Life and the metaverse since then, but I am pleased to report that much of the content here stands up pretty well.

In the first part of the talk, I give a summary of Second Life's economy. I think I have gotten better at conveying this information over the months, but I still got it pretty much right way back as a relative "noob."

The second part of the talk moves on to research topics:
• Research within virtual worlds, from the residents' perspective (immersionist research);
• Research about how real-world enterprises are using virtual worlds to achieve their strategic goals (augmentationist research)
• Research conducted through experiments within virtual worlds (experimentalist research). Better yet--experiments that involve creating worlds that vary from one another on only a key dimension, so that we can see whether, to take a timely example, one-time tax rebates can actually stave off a recession.

The research discussion is going to particularly relevant to people who are attending Emory's upcoming conference, Virtual Worlds and New Realities in Commerce, Politics, and Society.

But for those of you new to virtual worlds, to metanomics (the topic...business and policy in the metaverse of virtual worlds), or Metanomics (the show...note the capital letter), take a read through this transcript, which should get you up to speed. Or you can watch the show on SLCN.tv.

Just keep in mind...the shows have gotten better!

The first Metanomics program and related materials are now compiled here.

Thanks to everyone for helping to pull off our first Metanomics event, Metanomics 101 . We had 78 people on Metaversed Island for our "live studio audience," and Craigster Hax of SAP was kind enough to set up a tv at SAP's place, so that people could watch the SLCN.tv live stream. We also had about 140+ simultaneous streams coming from SLCN, so a pretty successful opening all around. Archives should be up shortly here , where you can also comment on my talk. If there is something you want to correct or elaborate on, please do.

I don't have much time to write just minutes before our kick-off session, "Metanomics 101," but I wanted to make sure people had a link to an excellent commentary by Prokofy Neva on goals of this series, questions for upcoming speakers, and suggestions for additional speakers. Add this to the "must read" assignments.

My only response right now (more later) is to emphasize that this series is not just about Second Life, but will be far broader. We will be analyzing other virtual worlds, as well as ways that businesses and regulators are treating the metaverse, broadly defined: social networking platforms and collaboration tools, as well as virtual worlds. That may explain some of the speaker choices.

Also, our goal (as in many courses) is to start broad, and get narrower.

Finally, I definitely hope to have a top Linden on the list!

The first Metanomics program and related materials are now compiled here.

On September 17th 2007, Professor Robert Bloomfield presented "Metanomics 101" in Second Life. This serves as an overview of Metanomics and a preview of what is to come.

Here is a link to the video.

Click here for streaming audio
or
Download the MP3