Simulated intimacy in SL vs the world ..

[Rowan Amore]

42 minutes ago, Arielle Popstar said:

Well otherwise we would be left with that they don't know how. Considering they have 250 people on staff, it certainly can't be that they don't have the manpower.

Yes, it's clearly a conspiracy to hide adult content.  It's just not a priority, perhaps?  It works well enough?  They don't see it as a problem?  

They're having issues with searching for something in the Marketplace as well although Adult content there seems to show up easily enough.  

A dedicated effort to hide adult content in search?  I don't think so.

[Arielle Popstar]

6 minutes ago, Rowan Amore said:

Yes, it's clearly a conspiracy to hide adult content.  It's just not a priority, perhaps?  It works well enough?  They don't see it as a problem?  

They're having issues with searching for something in the Marketplace as well although Adult content there seems to show up easily enough.  

A dedicated effort to hide adult content in search?  I don't think so.

Well that is the focus of the thread isn't it. The Lab in spite of running a predominantly Adult world, downplays the Adult aspects in various ways because it is not a priority. I realize you don't see the problem because by your own admittance you do not partake in Adult activities but others do.

[Rowan Amore]

4 minutes ago, Arielle Popstar said:

Well that is the focus of the thread isn't it. The Lab in spite of running a predominantly Adult world, downplays the Adult aspects in various ways because it is not a priority. I realize you don't see the problem because by your own admittance you do not partake in Adult activities but others do.

As the issues with search effects other categories besides Adult, you're missing the point on purpose.  I still go to adult areas and I have, for most of my years in SL, engaged in adult activities so that really has no bearing on my statement.

Carry on.

[Silent Mistwalker]

Adult activities don't necessarily involve sex or any aspect of sex. I go to adult sims/regions, adult events, etc. I just don't engage in SLex in SL.

Or do people think I lied when I said I'm married in RL (almost 24 years now)? Do they think I lie when I say I am not interested in SLex because to me that would be cheating on my husband? Do they think I lie when I say I have tried the same thing but in another virtual world (with the man who is now my husband) and it just wasn't for me? 

SL has had the reputation of being a bordello for nearly 2 decades now. They don't need to advertise the SLex and are not trying to hide it.

https://scholarship.law.unc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1134&context=ncjolt (2007)

https://www.dw.com/en/german-prosecutors-pursue-child-porn-in-second-life/a-2481582 (2007)

https://www.informationweek.com/software/sex-in-second-life-2 (2007)

https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/cybersex-and-sex-work-in-second-life/ (2020)

 

Edited June 22, 2023 by Silent Mistwalker

[Love Zhaoying]

I Adulted today, and it did not even involve sex!

 

[Love Zhaoying]

I did a quick Google Search to see how easy it is to find info on "adulting" (aka "intimacy") in Second Life, and lots of articles came back.

The most recent I saw was from this past May, interestingly titled, "Here Come The Metaverse's ChatGPT-Powered Avatar Sex Bots -- Whether Humanity Is Ready Or Not".

So if users know how to "Google", they can find info on "adulting" (aka "intimacy") in Second Life".

I'm not sure what is desired more than that: 

- To have LL literally place ads on Dating (Hello Cupid, Grindr), pr0n, and "adult" (Fetlife) sites? 

- To have LL do "press releases" example, "HEY!!1!! WE HAS TEH SAX HERE YALL!!!"?

I even found a Google result from the Wiki! : https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Sex_In_Second_Life

Edited June 22, 2023 by Love Zhaoying

[Coffee Pancake]

2 hours ago, Silent Mistwalker said:

Or do people think I lied when I said I'm married in RL (almost 24 years now)? Do they think I lie when I say I am not interested in SLex because to me that would be cheating on my husband? Do they think I lie when I say I have tried the same thing but in another virtual world (with the man who is now my husband) and it just wasn't for me? 

My wedded partner sits right next to me .. and even though we met in SL, they wont be back for love nor money. 

[BilliJo Aldrin]

20 hours ago, Sam1 Bellisserian said:

So what do you think will happen when we quit "hiding" sex in SL? I think you are kidding yourself if you think it will attract mature, respectful people.  Not that I'm against it but you can't have it both ways.

Its not hidden very well, I get noobs all the time (3 days old, 30 s ex groups in their profile) asking me to do it.

Aww come on baby, it's not real, lets just have some fun 😂

[Rowan Amore]

Mmhm,.just as I suspected.  😂

[SandorWren]

22 hours ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

I've been arguing that there are potential costs to a shift in advertising. Need I have bothered if we're all convinced, including even the OP, that that's not going to happen?

How and where is SL actually advertised? I've never actually seen any adverts. The first time I ever heard of it was years ago in a computer magazine article..  I tried it, but my dialup at the time didn't let me see more than an ocean, so I just forgot about it. I can't remember what reminded me about it just over 3 years ago, or how I knew SL had adult activities. I know Cat was brought here by someone from another platform, who disappeared on her almost the first day, and never came back. So I'm left curious as to where we could see an actual advertisement, and not just a writeup.

[Scylla Rhiadra]

27 minutes ago, Bagnu said:

How and where is SL actually advertised? I've never actually seen any adverts. The first time I ever heard of it was years ago in a computer magazine article..  I tried it, but my dialup at the time didn't let me see more than an ocean, so I just forgot about it. I can't remember what reminded me about it just over 3 years ago, or how I knew SL had adult activities. I know Cat was brought here by someone from another platform, who disappeared on her almost the first day, and never came back. So I'm left curious as to where we could see an actual advertisement, and not just a writeup.

It's a good question, actually. I don't think there is much in the way of what you might call broadly targeted advertising: I don't remember the last time I saw a real "ad" for SL. But then I'm not a gamer, I don't use Steam very often at all, and its entirely possible I'm just not in places where it does appear.

I think what LL does do, in theory, is count on word of mouth or whatever to bring people to the site, and then hope to snare them with the public relations material here. I'm not sure how effective that's been to date.

But maybe someone knows more about this than I do (which wouldn't be difficult!)

[Luna Bliss]

Well you know the new opening pages for SL that so many made fun of months ago...that little mermaid type woman-creature that I actually thought was cool.

Like she could be harnessed or something...those restraining straps.

I'm just trying to help.

Edited June 23, 2023 by Luna Bliss

[Silent Mistwalker]

16 minutes ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

It's a good question, actually. I don't think there is much in the way of what you might call broadly targeted advertising: I don't remember the last time I saw a real "ad" for SL. But then I'm not a gamer, I don't use Steam very often at all, and its entirely possible I'm just not in places where it does appear.

I think what LL does do, in theory, is count on word of mouth or whatever to bring people to the site, and then hope to snare them with the public relations material here. I'm not sure how effective that's been to date.

But maybe someone knows more about this than I do (which wouldn't be difficult!)

I see them from time to time as I stumble around the internet. It kind of goes in phases. If I do a lot of searching about SL, I start seeing more ads. If I search something else a lot, I'll see those kinds of ads. If I do little to no searching, I stop seeing them. I don't usually see very many because I don't usually need or do much in the way of searching these days.

[Sammy Huntsman]

51 minutes ago, Bagnu said:

How and where is SL actually advertised? I've never actually seen any adverts. The first time I ever heard of it was years ago in a computer magazine article..  I tried it, but my dialup at the time didn't let me see more than an ocean, so I just forgot about it. I can't remember what reminded me about it just over 3 years ago, or how I knew SL had adult activities. I know Cat was brought here by someone from another platform, who disappeared on her almost the first day, and never came back. So I'm left curious as to where we could see an actual advertisement, and not just a writeup.

Actually lately, with their Partnering with Motown Records, a few prominent news sites have talked about them. Then there was a recent article from the UK Guardian, so I think recently. SL has garnered a lot of attention in the media. 

[Scylla Rhiadra]

4 minutes ago, Sammy Huntsman said:

Actually lately, with their Partnering with Motown Records, a few prominent news sites have talked about them. Then there was a recent article from the UK Guardian, so I think recently. SL has garnered a lot of attention in the media. 

Oh, I think that's true. At the height of the Metaverse hype thing, it was getting a fair amount of mention, anyway (not always positive, and some of it implying that SL was no more). I get the sense that Rosedale is still being wined and dined on the strength of his connection and history with the platform.

But that's free publicity. @Silent Mistwalker says she's seen some actual paid advertisements, which is more than I can say, recently anyway.

[Sammy Huntsman]

20 minutes ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

Oh, I think that's true. At the height of the Metaverse hype thing, it was getting a fair amount of mention, anyway (not always positive, and some of it implying that SL was no more). I get the sense that Rosedale is still being wined and dined on the strength of his connection and history with the platform.

But that's free publicity. @Silent Mistwalker says she's seen some actual paid advertisements, which is more than I can say, recently anyway.

I mean ever since Zuckerberg came out with that atrocious Meta or whatever it's called. They have been singing praises to Roblox and Second Life for being the pinnacle and cornerstone of Metaverses. Lol. That and Fortnite. They have been sucking SL's metaphorical Tallywhacker, you could say. Lol 

Edited June 23, 2023 by Sammy Huntsman

[Coffee Pancake]

1 hour ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

Oh, I think that's true. At the height of the Metaverse hype thing, it was getting a fair amount of mention,

We routinely get people on the second life sub amazed we still exist and wow, aren't we all sad sacks with no actual life.

[SandorWren]

I was at the SL20B tonight with @Cinnamon Mistwoodtonight, and she noticed there was an adult area now, which we went to. She said she's never seen one before at an official event like that. Maybe LL IS somewhat acknowledging the interest. The only thing is, with no known deliberate advertising, how is possible to reach a larger audience? 

Edited June 23, 2023 by Bagnu

[SandorWren]

Or, is it possible LL has paid for writeups, as a form of indirect advertising? 

[SandorWren]

On 6/21/2023 at 9:43 PM, Coffee Pancake said:

It was a wholesale attempt to replace SL with no adult content of any kind.

Here come the better people.

And a dozen showed up .. and then  didn't go back or spend or .. well, anything really.

That's an interesting question in itself. What would define "better people".  More educated? More capable of spending money? More moralized against nonmarital sex? 

Edited June 23, 2023 by Bagnu

[Scylla Rhiadra]

45 minutes ago, Coffee Pancake said:

We routinely get people on the second life sub amazed we still exist and wow, aren't we all sad sacks with no actual life.

Well, ok. So what's the cause of that? Many might argue that this perception is an adjunct of the reputation SL has garnered as the refuge of oversexed fetishistic weirdos. I'm not saying that's true, but it may be part of the problem

Surely, in any case, that perception does not derive from an under-promotion of sex here.

No one, surely, is saying, "What sad sacks! These losers don't have nearly enough sex in-world!" Promoting sexuality in SL is not going to make outsiders think we're "winners," with healthy and active RLs.

[Scylla Rhiadra]

38 minutes ago, Bagnu said:

I was at the SL20B tonight with @Cinnamon Mistwoodtonight, and she noticed there was an adult area now, which we went to. She said she's never seen one before at an official event like that. Maybe LL IS somewhat acknowledging the interest.

Cinn is correct: this is the first year they've permitted Adult areas.

And yes, I actually do think that's an indication of a shift in attitudes. As too was the decision last year to permit full nudity in the "Adult" section of these forums: that was also a fairly notable shift, even if it was only here.

41 minutes ago, Bagnu said:

The only thing is, with no known deliberate advertising, how is possible to reach a larger audience?

In theory, targeted advertising, of the sort that is actually the raison d'etre of social media data harvesting. Sell furries in SL to online audiences likely to be interested in that. Advertise avatar customization to segments of the market who are playing games and such that seem to suggest an interest in that.

And, of course, promote sex where people are looking for that online.

But that's expensive, and a bit complicated to do.

[Scylla Rhiadra]

22 minutes ago, Bagnu said:

That's an interesting question in itself. What would define "better people".  More educated? More capable of spending money? More moralized against nonmarital sex? 

I am unconvinced, honestly, by this "LL wants 'better people' here" narrative.

I think there was a period, ca. 2008-2010, when LL was trying to sell "Enterprise" versions of SL to corporations, pushing the platform at educators, and promoting the idea of the place as the "3D Web," when this actually was more truly an aim of the company. That died a pretty quick death, though.

I've seen little indication that they want to "replace" us with "better people" in quite some time.

What they do want, as any online business or platform wants, is people with more disposable income to spend on leisure, as well as creators, merchants, and businesses willing to invest in the platform.

But that's not quite the same thing as suggesting that LL itself sees us all as "weirdos" who are a liability to the platform, and in dire need of "replacement."

[Love Zhaoying]

4 hours ago, Scylla Rhiadra said:

It's a good question, actually. I don't think there is much in the way of what you might call broadly targeted advertising: I don't remember the last time I saw a real "ad" for SL. But then I'm not a gamer, I don't use Steam very often at all, and its entirely possible I'm just not in places where it does appear.

I think what LL does do, in theory, is count on word of mouth or whatever to bring people to the site, and then hope to snare them with the public relations material here. I'm not sure how effective that's been to date.

But maybe someone knows more about this than I do (which wouldn't be difficult!)

I used to see ads on websites. It's been awhile, I think. Perhaps the ads weren't working, or LL figured out I already have it so stopped targeting the ad to me.

[Love Zhaoying]

1 hour ago, Coffee Pancake said:

We routinely get people on the second life sub amazed we still exist and wow, aren't we all sad sacks with no actual life.

So..we should care what some out-of-touch loser thinks? I'd laugh at them!