Picking Apart Methods in "In the Zone"

There were a variety of research methods used in the ethnography and study called "In the Zone."

- Formal Field Immersion with a Research Team
- Participant Observation
- Interviews
- Field Notes, Audio Tapes, and Photographs

Data Included:

- Gendering of Space
- Cultural Ethos of Sports
- Occupational Stratification By Social and Group
- Interplay Between Embodied and Virtual Reality

Particpant/Direct Observations

The two different types of research being studied are participant observation and direct observation. The main difference is that participant observation includes taking part and watching how people respond and react to you while you're a part of the study. In direct observation, you don't actually take part, just watch what other people are doing and saying - like a fly on the wall. In both however, you are watching with a purpose.

Dude looks like a lady

So this week in Second Life we were given the assignment to switch genders, and interact with people that way. Let me just state now that this is a very interesting process, and I am looking forward to interacting on Second Life as a female to gain some interesting perspectives. And perhaps get some cute outfits.

First off, upon switching from "Male" to "Female," I noticed that once my body changed shaped I looked a lot like Keri Russell from "Felicity" when she cut her hair off. Or a very man-like woman. Which isn't a bad thing. I just wanted to be a little bit more feminine.

That's me starring as Felicity on the hit WB show "Felicity"

So I spent a lot of time just kind of toying with the settings and softening my face and features up to be more womanly, while trying to hold on to the color and basic appearance of my avator as a man. Then I threw on a little eyeliner, lipstick, and blush.

After that I spent a lot of time trying to get some good hair going. I'm still not very pleased with it - but it will do for now.

I then put on some City Chic - female clothing for now, and did one last alteration on some minor manly features - I had forgotten to shrink my feet a little bit. And I'm good to go - Jeff Bagley is now a Second Life female.

Computer Mediated Communication....

According to both texts, it appears as though computer mediated communication is another way to communicate, beyond the verbal and written word - an interactive form of communication that is done over the medium of the computer. Used in day to day life through AIM, iChat, Facebook, e-mail - all of these are forms of computer mediated communication.

According to Oldenburg:

- they are neutral ground;
- they are a leveler;
- conversation is the main activity;
- they are accessible;
- as a home away from home, they have 'regulars'; and
- the mood is playful.

Observation Practice Revisited...

Unfortunately, as I observed a place that was off campus - I couldn't go back to look in the Albany bus station again - so I went to the pub to observe some students silently and try to draw conclusions.

At 10pm on a Sunday night, the "Pub" was relatively quiet. There was a table in the center with a four students, or so I assume, in sweatpants and relaxed clothing, hanging out with their laptops and notebooks out. They seemed to be in deep discussion - the books and laptops were ignored.

I automatically assumed they were ignoring their work and talking about something casual - like the weekend's events and whatnot. Upon further observation, however, I concluded they may be discussing the actual homework - perhaps they were working on a group project or assignment. I assumed they were dressed down because of the weekend, hangover clothes - but I could just be passing judgments and making stereotypes. Their other clothes may be in the wash - Sunday is laundry day, after all.

Other than that small group were a few random students situated by themselves around the outskirts of the pub, all with laptops (mostly macbooks) staring intently and typing. Probably doing work.

PS I assumed they were doing work, but as I was leaving, I passed one girl and managed to peek at her screen. She was typing very intently on AIM and facebook. Guess you can't just make judgments.

Once again...

So my second excursion into Second Life today was a bit more interesting than the last. More confident with my avator and feeling a little bold, I decided to not always just sit back and observe but interact a bit.

I don't want to be lame.

Starting out again in the Hanja Welcome Area, I began talking to an interesting man named "Soy Burger" about Second Life and his time here. I noticed that there was a toilet near us, and inquired about it. He responded that there is no use for toilets in Second Life...unless you're into Fetishes or you're a Realist.

I didn't know they had those on Second Life.

After listening to an increasingly ridiculous conversation, I decided to search around for a Live Concert Venue, and teleported to the Gold Label Live Concert Island Venue. Apparently, however, there was no one around, but it looked like a cool Beach Side area that I'll have to check out again.

I began wandering around and used my mini-map to locate other users, and it brought me to a large building called Pinkies. It was a Lesbian Club. I was politely asked to leave, because I was not female. I didn't ask any questions and just left.

I'm still getting the hang of this all, but hopefully, Second Life will get a little easier.

Second Life musings..

Today on Second Life I decided to go on a bit of an adventure.

Granted, I'm still trying to figure out how to work things (mainly, altering my appearance and add-ons and whatnot, I'll get the hang of it.) I started out on my home teleport - which I'm not entirely clear on what it is...just the place where avators go before they set their own "home" spot on Second Life.

My first goal was to interact with other avators and people in this area - which looks like a beautiful kind of Italian terrace with a lot of long lawns and shrubs - however, because of my label (IC Student) I don't know if people were put off or not, but I didn't really get anywhere with anyone except casual "hello's." Maybe I just don't know proper Second Life etiquette. So I teleported out when I found a location one could go sky-diving. Cool, right?

It was called the TransAm Underwater Adventure. Really cool world, kind of a complex building built on top of water with lots of things to look at. Unfortunately, nobody else was there! I wandered around for a while, before teleporting off to a beach where I think I was propositioned for sex. I'm not entirely sure how comfortable I am with sex on Second Life yet.

My next adventure will hopefully help me interact with other people, without sexual undertones, and I'd like to check out some live concerts or something. That sounds really cool. More updates later!