So, one of the really cool things about being a Reporter for the SL Enquirer is that I get to travel the entire Grid on my five-year mission: to explore strange new Regions, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before! (Music builds to a crescendo!!!)
Well...in those five years, I really thought I had seen everything, encompassing every possible build. Little did I know there were STILL surprises to be had. Today’s Spotlight Feature is not about a Build or a DJ, a Sim or a Celebrity. it is about...(Drum Roll please):
A SYSTEM.
Here, to explain it best is the Creator and Brains behind ZEN METAL - Sebs (sebastyne.alpha)
Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) JB: So then, Sebs. Just exactly what is the "ZEN METAL SeeKin" test?
Sebs (sebastyne.alpha) SA: ZEN METAL SeeKin is a thinker-type test that will find your base-level compatible people through some very important questions that reveal your value system, how you love and wish to be loved - whether platonic or romantic. It can be used as a base for any kind of relationship, personal, business, romantic, and sexual - and should be used if you ask me. Basically, it finds you people who define “a good person” the same way you do and who enjoy life the same way as you do - the first and the second life... or would enjoy it if they had you in it. ;)
JB: Did you create this yourself, or were others involved as well, and if so, then who?
SA: No, it's all me. I like thinking and doing and, frankly, being in control of every aspect of everything. :p Except people. People, I want them liberated to be their authentic selves, but I'm a possessive control freak when it comes to my vision and creativity. :D
JB: Who might find this system particularly useful and Enjoyable? Describe the Ideal user.
SA: People who feel their relationships keep failing or disappointing them for some mysterious reason they can't really identify. I promise ZEN METAL SeeKin is tweaked to find that reason. It is best for people who are quite confident in relationships already, but have that final puzzle piece to figure out. It's to find that one missing piece from being a relationship Zen Master.
An ideal user may enjoy the mystery of how this came to be and where is it leading and want to come for a ride. It is best for people who are themselves in a virtual environment rather than those who play a character when online, as there is a real opportunity to bond with real people at the end of the "test tube," as I've begun to call it.
JB: The other day, I figured I would see what this was all about, and I ran into a collection of Dogs and an equal number of Cats. What is it with all these animals?
SA: The dogs and cats represent the core values of each group. Dog Type Thinkers are loyal and hierarchal; they play as a team, a unit, "a one," while Cat Type Thinkers are more independent and aloof and value individualism so much they never want to see their loved ones change. Dog Type Thinkers, to love is to change to show love; to Cat Type Thinkers, to love is to protect the other's unique personality at all costs and never change.
While you can predict your outcome out of that quite accurately, the answers are mixed in the test - a cat may mean a dog -answer, and a dog can be counting cat points - just saying.
JB: What other ideas do you see this being used for?
SA: Oh, so many, but for one: Sim-owners often find their joy of creating gone when their sim starts to collect people from a different group than they, themselves, belong to. There's a reason why this is also common, but I'll explain that later to those who are interested.
The difference in thinking makes people behave in a manner that doesn't suit the sim owner. Either they seem too eager to change everything you've already done and seem completely disrespectful toward your vision or seem somewhat aloof and disinterested in what you've created. These two thinker types show appreciation in completely opposite ways. Both groups mean to say "we love it" but say it the opposite way so it feels like "we hate it but want to hang out here anyway and be pests," to the poor sim-owner.
Therefore it's important the sim is filled primarily with your own type of thinkers, particularly from the start, when a sim owner is establishing an atmosphere to keep it bringing joy to the creators themselves, too. This security add-on will be added to ZEN METAL marketplace very soon, and it won't break the bank.
JB: So....many of the more popular online match sites carry a hefty price tag to help you find "The One". Just how much can folks expect to spend on your "system"?
SA: The base system, "the Signet Ring," is free and is going to stay that way. Paid add-ons will be added later, mainly with sim owners in mind. I don't want to price myself out; however, I will quite willingly price my products so they're accessible to everyone who owns even a small plot of land.
I suspect there are going to be developer kits available for derivative works, too... Soon.
JB: When I clicked on the questions, they appeared in chat. Can anyone within Chat range see my answers?
SA: No, only you can see the questions and how you answer them. They use a secret channel unique to you. This means that although the test is definitely best taken alone at one's own pace, two people can take it at the same time; just keep a little respectful distance from the person before you.
When touched, the buttons turn green for everybody and function as bookmarks (remember those?). While the green still lingers, you should keep from touching that button if another resident is using the system so you all know where you're at.
JB: What is the end-state here? to let people know if they are Cat Type Thinkers or Dog Type Thinkers? Anything Else?
SA: At the end of the trail, you'll get your thinker-type package. It'll give you a location to hang your hat at and find some like-minded people. They are off-ZEN METAL main sim locations, so you can fully relax. I'll hang out on one of them based on my thinker type, and of course, you might see me doing some admin, but never mind me.
You will also get a ring you can wear anywhere on the grid. You can use it to scan for avatars that are baseline-compatible with you anywhere you are. I'm sure it'll take some time to find another user with a matching ring, but I hope this will take off fast.
These objects will be given to you as you hit the 'finish' button in your HUD. If something goes wrong, or you want to make sure you can retrieve a fresh ring later, please don't reset the HUD; hit Finish again.
To not take the excitement away, the ring alone doesn't reveal EVERYTHING there is to know about a person, of course, but it eliminates people who are simply a hopeless combination. Two perfectly good people with completely opposite ideas of what relationships are even there for. (You didn't think there was another reason, did you? ;) )
JB: What’s next on the agenda? Any more ideas under consideration or development?
SA: Oh, plenty. I will keep them close to my chest for the time being, but a lot of it has to do with this very thing... I am brimming with ideas; my only problem is the time and limitation of a measly 10 fingers. However, I am working on Second Life full-time and obsessively, both for my own entertainment and my only plan for an income, so... Please make me popular. ;) The system is very new, so afford me a little patience if and when something goes wrong. I am constantly improving it, and hopefully, it'll be foolproof very soon. The more people offer me feedback, the better.
JB: Where might people go to learn more about this fascinating system?
SA: The "test tube," as I call it, is located on a small independent Zindra parcel, away from ZEN METAL main sim at
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tyrell%20Mono/222/29/2498
The greeter should give you a HUD for the test and instructions on how to use it. It might seem to be stuck when you touch the first question, but it is just giving you ample time to read the instructions - for a reason.
I'm hoping to see many people grow this fast; we'll all have a blast and write SL history. I know I'm talking it up a bit, and I hope it will live up to it. Having said that, I've had test runs that have failed to utter chaos and misery, with you, Josh, for one, so... :D Fingers crossed!
LINKS: https://zenmetal.club/
https://zenmetal.club/venues/zen-metal-seekin/
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tyrell%20Mono/222/29/2498
The brand-new ZEN METAL SeeKin group:
https://world.secondlife.com/group/19d1c507-cc01-b35f-7003-ee479d885377
So, there you have it, Folks. If you are tired of the typical run around in SL…you meet someone…you fall in love…you introduce them to your parents, and only THEN do you learn that they are wanted by law enforcement officials on 5 continents for unlawful flight to avoid paying alimony….then ZEN METAL is for you. Give it a shot...one of the most amazing systems of its kind available on the Grid today. What have you got to lose… except maybe your place in line for your next failed relationship.
Oh Yeah…..Tell ‘em Josh sent ya.
Be There. Aloha!
JB
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