Welcome Haridsam Resident aka Hari Sutherland as the first Metaverse-level partner on my Patreon! He recently signed to launch the perfect project for holiday shopping: SECOND LIFE - The True Virtual World in Words and Pictures, a coffee table book set for release next month.
To be first to know when it's available on Amazon, follow Haridsam on his Primfeed.
"I see this volume as a celebration of all that's best about Second Life," he tell me. "My primary hope is that current residents will be reminded of, and in some cases discover for the first time, the beauty and wonder of our virtual world... Beyond that, I'd love it if people curious about virtual worlds and all the metaverse buzz and hype discover my book and find it intriguing enough to bring them into SL to check out all the possibilities it offers. The text portion of the volume is largely directed to that goal.
"Second Life is, in my experience, the best and by far the most realistic metaverse we have. It's my hope that, together, we'll continue to help it flourish and grow."
Hari shared these sneak preview pages from his book -- along with some background on what brought him to Second Life, what inspired him to write it, and his own personal recommendations across the virtual world:
"It's odd how inspiration comes out of a clear blue sky," Hari tells me. "I was looking through some old folders of photos, mostly landscapes, I'd taken in SL. I've always been awed by the creativity and love people put into some sims, and it suddenly struck me that nobody had ever done a coffee table-type book showcasing SL's landscapes and communities. It was like this sudden, fully-realized vision And as a professional author and editor, I thought, 'Hey! I can do this.'"
Hari first stumbled into Second Life about a decade ago through an unlikely route:
"I've always been attracted to cool virtual environments and exploration. I enjoyed flight simulators, and had tried a few games, of which my favorite was probably Eve Online. So difficult it makes SL look easy, but damn, amazing graphics, especially if you're a fan of space and science fiction. Not being a competitive type, I loved that you could explore, mine, haul, trade, etc., without having to fight. But just when I'd got a bunch of skills and a really cool expensive ship, there was always some idiot who'd blow me up just for the fun of it. I hated that!
"So in 2015 I was casting around for a virtual world where I could just explore and meet people and have fun. I remembered hearing of SL, gave it a try, and, before long, I was fascinated. Most of all, the sheer creativity of the world and its residents blew me away. I loved that there was no game/quest/conflict aspect, that it was, like real life, just what you make of it. I discovered music clubs and sailing... sailing the Blake Sea was amazing. And as a writer, the roleplay communities intrigued me too. So all of that, really."
Here's a Hari write-up of favorite haunts and communities in Second Life -- and a teaser of what you'll read in his book:
I'm a huge fan of the Calas Galadhon sims. They're just so lovingly detailed, and there's so much to explore there, not to mention the boat rides -- super relaxing, especially when the weather's too foul, or you don't have time, for a break in RL nature. Luane's World is another. Recently I've been exploring the mainland, which I've overlooked for years. Some of it is very cool, and I've been spending some time taking pictures there.
My RL is very full, so I rarely spend more than an hour or two at most in SL, which makes it hard to really root in a community. I tend to observe more than participate -- it's like being an anthropologist!
Riding SL trails or exploring beautiful sims on horseback is a real delight, and I find the whole equestrian community, from breeding through stabling, riding, and even dressage, wonderful. Evergarden Equestrian, for example, is extraordinarily organized. Then there are the big cat breeders. And sailing, of course, everyone should try that.
But some of the most interesting I've found are the agrarian communities who farm and grow food and sell it, and the associated medievalists (the terms are mine) who do everything from smelting the iron to making the barrels to store their ale and stuff in.
It would be disingenuous not to mention the adult and kink communities as well. Some of these, especially the BDSM and swinger communities, are very well-developed, and members form strong bonds and friendships. Xaara, for instance, is extraordinarily well-run and welcoming, and respectful of each individual. And there's the large LGBTQ community; given some of the pressures they face in parts of the real world today, SL provides an important space for people to be themselves in safety. At its best, SL is an incredible sandbox, a safe place for people to explore all kinds of different lifestyles.
Last, I want to mention the nightlife and club scene, and especially Satyr, which is a community in itself. I recently discovered the place, and the people are just super friendly and fun, and so diverse. There's so much good music and dancing in SL if you just look for it.
Follow his Primfeed for more on his upcoming book and his virtual world adventures!
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