How Dylan Rickenbacker Recovered From Second Life Addiction (And Still Managed To Stay in SL)
Dylan Rickenbacker wrote a harrowing, four-part story of Second Life addiction, which begins here, and proceeds to successive chapters from the bottom of each installment. A talented and successful freelance writer in real life, Second Life begins as a work respite for Rickenbacker, but gradually becomes something more compelling:
I discovered the Shelter, which is to this day my favourite haunt in SL. And I discovered that SL is a very sexy place. Something deeply biological was going on inside me when I looked at all those beautiful lady avatars in their low-cut tops and short skirts; something that kept me on a permanent high while I was in SL and made the prospect of taking the deep plunge back into RL increasingly unsavoury for me.
So much so, as it happened, that his career, family, and long-term future gets sent for awhile into the hazard. His break from the addiction (in the negative sense) doesn't require him to cut from off Second Life, however -- there's too much in it that's genuinely valuable, friends and creativity and more. Instead, what he learns to do is make his avatar a more integrated part of his first life, and integrate the demands of his first life with his activity in the virtual world. For instance: "I set myself a rule: no SL or other distractions until I had done at least half of my quota. This sounds like a no-brainer, and indeed the idea wasn’t new, but now I saw a chance to actually stick to it." But that's getting ahead of ourselves: the story, well worth a weekend read, begins here. Hat tip: SL-ama Drama, image via Rickenbacker's blog.
I so relate. Second Life is pure heroin and must be doled out in the smallest doses and only after work is done. Discipline is what makes for a high functioning junkie. Work first, then life, then SL. Otherwise all is lost.
Posted by: metoo | Friday, July 10, 2009 at 08:08 PM
I've read the series and I have to say I am sorry I am not sorry.
It's just not fair to the 500 pound people that I can eat reasonably, to the gamblers who can't stop that I can enjoy the Indian casino in moderation, and of course to the jobless drunks that I am a functional alchohlic.
The vast majority of people enjoy Second Life in moderation and have the pair required to not hurt their loved ones with an obession based in pixel form.
If not Second Life, perhaps his monkey would of come along later.
Posted by: Adric Antfarm | Friday, July 10, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Make it your full time rl job. That kills the magical addiction factor right there. Especially as you watch it sink slowly into the metaverse sea while the captain dances a hillbilly jig while fiddling on the burning bridge.
j/k
Posted by: Ann Otoole | Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 04:39 AM
People need to get a grip on themselves, Hamlet seriously, SL Addiction, slow news day?
Posted by: Metacam Oh | Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 07:08 AM
A fascinating and well-written piece. Thanks for sharing it, Hamlet.
Posted by: Mitch Wagner | Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 10:34 AM
To bounce this back from Drusan Writer's Metaverse, http://dusanwriter.com/, there is probably something to "Immersion Addiction". I have lost so much time in SL, thinking "I'll take an hour" and it is 3-4...
My RL does not allow SL or other social/web 2.0 applications. So I have outer imposed rules.
I do agree with the above comments... never pour a glass of wine until the sun starts to set, and one can say...ahhhhhh.
Posted by: Leondra | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Hmmm lets see blame second life addictions for someone not knowing the meaning of the word moderation...... yeah its lame
Posted by: D | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:56 AM