All the kurfuffle over the Adult Content rating has got me thinking a lot; and as I’ve been raised to admit wrongdoings or wrong thinking, I have to admit, I think I’ve overreacted in part to the situation.
Why?
Well, as I’ve already stated, having adult verification in SL is no bad thing. It’s a part of real life, so why not here? Yes, SL is supposed to be for “over 18s”, but again, teenagers are wont to bend the rules, be sneaky, etc. – so what is wrong with an additional “line of defence”, so to speak, inSL? Certainly, since LL announce PIU is acceptable, the verification process has loss a lot of the sheer furore and rumour-mongering it suffered.
Certainly, as per my last post, getting the Adult Content definitions properly sorted is crucial to the “success” of the system – and the struggle to achieve this is far from over. As is the need to try and get LL to be somewhat more transparent in the matter (vis-a-vis “keyword”lists, etc.) than the currently are.
But…and here’s where I hold my hand up and say “I may be wrong / may have been wrong,”….I’m no longer convinced having an “Adult” continent is actually a bad thing. And here I pause to the sound of collective jaws dropping.
No, seriously. While such a continent might become a slum area….there is no reason why it should. Let’s look at the facts.
- When it comes to BDSM, a good proportion of BDSM-related places are in fact located on private islands or regions. Ergo, other than having to change their ratings (and yes, I know there can be implications where they are not the SOLE user of a sim) this shouldn’t be the drama-laden threat some are perceiving – simply beccause they weill be unaffected and providing their customers verify themselves trading will go on.
- Where BDSM malls and shops are on the Mainland (and granted LL need to do a LOT more in assisting with relocation than they are doing), then the move could be seen as an opportunity. Let’s face it, the Mainland is, by-and-large a mess as it is. Now there is a new continent and a chance for BDSM mall and shop owners to band together and encourage LL to help them create something unique. Yes, there will be the inevitable “live sex” clubs, escort palaces and the likes, but there is no reason that these can’t be zoned simply through judicious cooperation on the part of responsible BDSM shop owners – and the rest of us – in getting LL to be more supportive of the forthcoming moves.
- Again, the new continent gies the opportunity for a degree of zoning beyond just “BDSM” and “sex” – particularly if LL can be encouraged to consider it. So that again, specialised commercial communities can be created, raising, rather than lowering, the feel and look of the continent and thus making something wholly unique going forward.
- While there is no guarantee that the Idiot Factor will not enter into the Verified World, it’s likely that the majority of those verifying themselves are going to be those here for the long-haul, and who have specific Adult interests. As such, they are liable to be reasonable, understanding and – pardon the expression – mature enough to act accordingly in the continent and not actually be members of the brown trenchcoat brigade looking for a cheap thrill or quick flash.
- While those seeking online sex or to sell telephone porn, etc., may continue to be something of a concern and could degrade the feel of the continent in places, one has to ask that is this any different than the current situation on the mainland? Does it indeed have to be a problem? 250 sims and counting is a fair amount of space, so it’s hard to see it being suddenly overrun by such establishments. Having to verify anything could well be an actively discouragement to the clientele of these places to get inolved in SL, and thus reduce the presence of such places.
So, as I ponder the situation, and while I remain firmly committed to trying to get the Adult Content definitions better worked out and published….I’m not so much buying-in to the “Adult continent = slum continent” argument any more.
In many ways, the fact is it could become the most popular and vibrant community in SL.
Can we of the adult community and Linden Lab join hands to see that it is?
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 