The new Normal or Worrying Trend?

[Beth Macbain]

6 hours ago, Cindy Evanier said:

Of course this is also a huge holiday week in the US?

This is the reason for any particular slump right now. Half of the US is on vacation this week, and the other half are picking up the slack. 

grumbles from her desk at work

[Raevyn Addams]

5 minutes ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

I hadn't realized the percentage of Adult regions was up to 25%. That's a pretty hefty increase from a half dozen years ago or so.

Interesting. Although, one thing I've also noticed is that the "Adult" classification is no longer just being adopted just for sex-focused sims; I've seen many a fair number of private Adult regions that include areas for sex, but where the larger focus is just on looking pretty or interesting. So maybe that accounts for some of that increase.

I'd bet that's likely the case. Many RP regions adopt Adult rating over Mature just to save themselves any possible ARs or issues that may arise should RP cross certain boundaries. I've even recommended such to people just to be on the safe side. Not just that but sex sells. Throw Adult in the search tag and you're also likely to draw in more dots to the map. Could be wrong.

[Mollymews]

OP posted the number at a little after midnight PST time.  The hour between midnight and 1am is always the hour when there are the least number of accounts logged into SL. This time is 7pm-8pm in New Zealand, the South Pacific islands, North Korea and far east Russia

[Scylla Rhiadra]

14 minutes ago, RaeLeeH said:

I'd bet that's likely the case. Many RP regions adopt Adult rating over Mature just to save themselves any possible ARs or issues that may arise should RP cross certain boundaries. I've even recommended such to people just to be on the safe side. Not just that but sex sells. Throw Adult in the search tag and you're also likely to draw in more dots to the map. Could be wrong.

No, I think you're quite right.

For the first year or two after the new ratings system came into effect, it was generally very evident when you'd arrived in an Adult region: there was sex stuff (usually really tacky and unattractive sex stuff, too) everywhere, and it was usually pretty clear that the place existed for one reason, and one reason only. The only slight exceptions were RP sims, but even at these the main attraction was usually pretty evident pretty quickly.

Now, when I visit an Adult sim, I sometimes even find myself wondering why they've chosen that rating.

One interesting development over the past 5 or 6 years has also been the popularity of "Adult Clubs," which are generally very nicely put-together and attractive social areas, often kept somewhat secluded from the rest of the region. These at least are a nice change from the gaudy and cheaply-constructed sex areas I used to see all the time.

Edited July 3, 2019 by Scylla Rhiadra

[Mollymews]

34 minutes ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

Now, when I visit an Adult sim, I sometimes even find myself wondering why they've chosen that rating.

the main reason for this is that society/people are maturing in their attitudes. The RL moralistic connotation that "Adult" = Gaudy Trashy Pornno Sexxors is fading. not only in SL but also in RL.  "Adult" in SL (and in RL to a lesser degree) is more and more meaning that we are adults, in the literal meaning of the word 

[Eva Knoller]

1 hour ago, Beth Macbain said:

This is the reason for any particular slump right now. Half of the US is on vacation this week, and the other half are picking up the slack. 

grumbles from her desk at work

Grumbles in solidarity. 

Though I am not picking up much slack at work since I can’t seem to stay off the forum today.

Edited July 3, 2019 by Eva Knoller

[Selene Gregoire]

6 minutes ago, Mollymews said:

the main reason for this is that society/people are maturing in their attitudes. The RL moralistic connotation that "Adult" = Gaudy Trashy Pornno Sexxors is fading. not only in SL but also in RL.  "Adult" in SL (and in RL to a lesser degree) is more and more meaning that we are adults, in the literal meaning of the word 

It's all about context. What context the word 'adult' is used in. It's original meaning had nothing to do with sex.

[Coffee Pancake]

1 hour ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

Interesting. Although, one thing I've also noticed is that the "Adult" classification is no longer just being adopted just for sex-focused sims; I've seen many a fair number of private Adult regions that include areas for sex, but where the larger focus is just on looking pretty or interesting. So maybe that accounts for some of that increase.

Adult regions are 'safer' by way of being more permissive and presenting the smallest possible ban hammer target.

[Scylla Rhiadra]

Just now, CoffeeDujour said:

Adult regions are 'safer' by way of being more permissive and presenting the smallest possible ban hammer target.

This makes good sense. Moderate regions are still in the majority though, so there is still, I guess, some stigma attached to the denomination "Adult."

[Madelaine McMasters]

3 minutes ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

There is still, I guess, some stigma attached to the denomination "Adult."

Been that way in the McMasters family since I was a baby devil.

[Scylla Rhiadra]

Just now, Madelaine McMasters said:

Been that way in the McMasters family since I was a baby devil.

I don't think we're talking about the same thing . . .

[Madelaine McMasters]

8 minutes ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

I don't think we're talking about the same thing . . .

If you Venn diagram the things, they do overlap.

[Scylla Rhiadra]

To bring this at least part of the way back to the OP (and we haven't strayed far from it, really), and address the points that Coffee, Selene, and Molly have made above . . .

I've never liked the term "Adult" when applied to categorize a type of content. It is too value-laden: it implies, for instance, that "Moderate" content isn't adult, in the sense of being something worthy of or appropriate to someone who is older, emotionally mature, etc. It's a bit like the way that "pro-sex" implies that those who disagree must necessarily be "anti-sex," or how "Pro-Life" suggests that those who support women's reproductive rights are "Anti-Life."

But that's kind of a sidebar.

Coffee's point about the reason for more Adult regions is a really good one. I don't have any objections to there being more Adult regions, especially if this does not imply that all of these regions are only about sex and violence. But I do hope we don't get to a point where "Moderate" and "General" are squeezed out. One of the reasons, I believe, for SL's success is not merely the diversity of experiences you can have here (including, but not exclusive to, sex), but also the mechanisms that are in place to customize your experience. Someone who doesn't want, for whatever reason, to be exposed to open sexuality or extreme violence can relatively easily (at least in theory) avoid these by not ticking off "Adult" in their own ratings preferences. And I think that is a good thing.

But I think it could be improved somewhat, first by enforcing the ratings (there has been a noticeable incursion of adult objects into Moderate regions), and second by distinguishing between "adult" sexual content and extreme violence. There are lots of people who are likely to be interested in sex, but don't want to accidentally trip over a disemboweling while looking for it.

Edited July 3, 2019 by Scylla Rhiadra

[Scylla Rhiadra]

11 minutes ago, Madelaine McMasters said:

If you Venn diagram the things, they do overlap.

Well, yes.

Or there would never have been a Little Madelaine McMasters.

[Blush Bravin]

A large number of adult regions were added with Horizons. That has to be part of it as well.

Personally, I avoid adult rated regions and much prefer living in an M rated region. I don't have anything against adult activity but don't want it in my face all the time. Keep it behind closed doors and I'm fine.  Yeah, I'm old school... I wear panties too .. lol! TMI?  

Edited July 3, 2019 by Blush Bravin
added a comma

[Selene Gregoire]

44 minutes ago, Madelaine McMasters said:

Been that way in the McMasters family since I was a baby devil.

You'll always be a BD though. Just like BA. If asked, she would tell you BA stood for Bad A$$. When we discovered I had moved in a couple of blocks down the street, she admitted that it really stood for Baby Ape. She was a climber... trees... curtains. Didn't matter. She'll always be Baby Ape to me and I'll always miss her.

[Selene Gregoire]

29 minutes ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

can relatively easily (at least in theory) avoid these by not ticking off "Adult" in their own ratings preferences. And I think that is a good thing.

It would be a great thing if, by doing so, it didn't also exclude those things considered 'adult' that have nothing to do with sex, rather than just being a good thing.

[Scylla Rhiadra]

1 minute ago, Selene Gregoire said:

It would be a great thing if, by doing so, it didn't also exclude those things considered 'adult' that have nothing to do with sex, rather than just being a good thing.

Yes, agreed. That's essentially what I mean by enforcement. But there is no way to make people NOT designate a sim as "Adult" when it doesn't actually include adult rated content.

[Selene Gregoire]

22 minutes ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

Yes, agreed. That's essentially what I mean by enforcement. But there is no way to make people NOT designate a sim as "Adult" when it doesn't actually include adult rated content.

Yes but I'm looking at it from the flip side. lol

This is why I wish they had never changed Mature to Moderate. It made more sense. General, Mature, Adult... G, PG, R, X(XX)... hey! we're missing one! No wonder people conflate 'adult' with sex all the time!

[Coffee Pancake]

1 hour ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

There are lots of people who are likely to be interested in sex, but don't want to accidentally trip over a disemboweling while looking for it.

That's only really a possibility if you accept a TP from a friend in the middle of such an activity,

Everywhere has a landing point with the more dedicated rp regions putting it well out the way.

[Adam Spark]

4 hours ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

I hadn't realized the percentage of Adult regions was up to 25%. That's a pretty hefty increase from a half dozen years ago or so.

Interesting. Although, one thing I've also noticed is that the "Adult" classification is no longer being adopted just for sex-focused sims; I've seen a fair number of private Adult regions that include areas for sex, but where the larger focus is just on looking pretty or interesting. So maybe that accounts for some of that increase.

Yes, many places are listing as Adult now just to play it safe.

There were/are also some misconceptions that lead to places moving to Adult designation, such as kid avatars not being allowed. Owners that did not want to allow kid avatars assumed that such a designation meant that kid avatars being there was a violation of Lab policy, when really the Lab, contrary to popular belief, has no anti-kid avatar policy aside from them engaging in certain adult activities.

[Gwin LeShelle]

...its summer...SL has always been a little more empty on slower in summers ( Gosh I never thought I be still here 12 summers later! XD)

...as a blogger I can tell even designers release MUCH less things often during that time cause everyone like outside ..grilling their backbuns in the sun and having fun or on holidays ^^

Parents are usually more busy with their kids off school during summer break and so on XD...and I really hope that MANY people actually SLEEP at 12AM during the work week  

[Beth Macbain]

27 minutes ago, Adam Spark said:

Yes, many places are listing as Adult now just to play it safe.

There were/are also some misconceptions that lead to places moving to Adult designation, such as kid avatars not being allowed. Owners that did not want to allow kid avatars assumed that such a designation meant that kid avatars being there was a violation of Lab policy, when really the Lab, contrary to popular belief, has no anti-kid avatar policy aside from them engaging in certain adult activities.

And this is the angriest I've ever been at LL and the closest I've ever come to leaving SL. I moved to adult land specifically to avoid child avatars because they make my skin crawl. BOOM, next door neighbor had a "four year old son". I couldn't see them, of course, but I could see where they were and it was usually on a bed. I reported and was schooled on the policy. 

I see absolutely no reason for a child avatar to be on adult land for any reason. Ever. It infuriates me. People... adults... who want to do adult things, legal things, things that are not violations of the TOS... should be free to do so without worry of some perv in a child avatar hoping on top of them. 

As you can see, it still makes me angry. I abandoned the place I was in and moved to another adult region and ended up with a freaking orphanage next to me. And on the other side of that? A sex club. 

It squicks me out and I would love to see that particular policy changed.

[Adam Spark]

1 hour ago, Beth Macbain said:

And this is the angriest I've ever been at LL and the closest I've ever come to leaving SL. I moved to adult land specifically to avoid child avatars because they make my skin crawl. BOOM, next door neighbor had a "four year old son". I couldn't see them, of course, but I could see where they were and it was usually on a bed. I reported and was schooled on the policy. 

I see absolutely no reason for a child avatar to be on adult land for any reason. Ever. It infuriates me. People... adults... who want to do adult things, legal things, things that are not violations of the TOS... should be free to do so without worry of some perv in a child avatar hoping on top of them. 

As you can see, it still makes me angry. I abandoned the place I was in and moved to another adult region and ended up with a freaking orphanage next to me. And on the other side of that? A sex club. 

It squicks me out and I would love to see that particular policy changed.

I used to feel that way, too.

While I still don't understand it, child avatars are not necessarily pervs, and that is why the policy won't (or shouldn't) change. Many adults in child avatars want nothing to do with sex.

But I get your angst, and I sure understand your skin crawling.

[Beth Macbain]

14 minutes ago, Adam Spark said:

I used to feel that way, too.

While I still don't understand it, child avatars are not necessarily pervs, and that is why the policy won't (or shouldn't) change. Many adults in child avatars want nothing to do with sex.

But I get your angst, and I sure understand your skin crawling.

I have no issue with them being on G regions or even M regions (to some extent) but adult regions? No. If they want nothing to do with sex, then go someplace where there is certain to be none. And why live on one, especially if you're RPing as a family with small children? It just seems to be inviting trouble, or creating it.