SL ARTS & LITERATURE: Another One Bites the Dust

While preparing  another feature, this notice came across my virtual desk from Jilly Kidd of Written Word announcing the closure of the London School of Journalism (LSJ) operations in Second Life :

“We're sorry to say the LSJ is leaving Second Life in mid-March. Do pop over to enjoy this lovely island in the final weeks and to enjoy what the LSJ has been doing here.

“We're grateful for the space the LSJ has provided for writers and for writing events . . .  The LSJ teaches writing in a variety of forms as well as journalism and has a great free contest on the website every month, so stay in touch.”

While no specific information is available, it is not hard to connect this closure with the recent change in the pricing structure that eliminates tier discounts for Education and Non-Profit land owners on the Second Life grid.

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SL ARTS & LITERATURE: The Opportunity in Written Word

Second Life in its entirety is one big opportunity. Agreed? It just all depends on what you are looking for. There are a lot of people creating opportunity in SL: people who put in time, care, passion to providing something for people to use. Lots of these places are empty. No one is ever there. Virtual dust bunnies run in thundering herds, and creators wonder why. The key to providing opportunity in SL is that it must be tied to activity. “If you build it, they will come” only works in baseball movies, and sometimes not even then.

Jilly Kidd provides opportunity. I still remember the first conversation I had with Jilly at the end of the Autumn Writer’s Exhibition 2009 where she said, “We have to find a way to work together on something.” Jilly sees opportunity, breathes it, and eats it for lunch.

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SL ARTS AND LITERATURE: Constellations of Writing at the London School of Journalism Space Station

Some columns just write themselves. I am almost embarrassed to admit it. I contacted the illustrious Jilly Kidd (RL Author Adele Ward), who runs the Written Word Group for writers in SL. It was just with a soft inquiry about covering Written Word and featuring something upcoming. What I got was the fodder for about three or four columns. The scope of what Written Word does is immense! I knew they had a broad scope, but I had no idea how broad. So I chose to start with one aspect of the amazing spectrum of things Jilly opened up for me: The Space Station at the London School of Journalism.

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