Social Norms on Second Life

This afternoon I was speaking to a local religious school principal and she said that she was concerned that as kids used computers more and more they'd develop fewer and fewer social skills. I told her that last night I was at a social gathering of educators on Second Life. I realized that just as their are norms at real social gatherings there are norms on Second Life. At one point I felt like a real jerk when my avatar navigated into somebody else's avatar. Just as you have to allow others to speak at parties, the same holds true on Second Life. Just as you shouldn't change the conversation too abruptly at parties, you shouldn't do so on Second Life.

I've always been somebody who's been a little social awkward. Last night I felt a little awkward at a virtual gathering. Until you are in the situation you don't realize that there are important social norms.

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