Tag: Second Life

I’m coming a little late to this, as my mind has been elsewhere over the last few days (annoying when real life interferes in things, isn’t it?).

To cut to the quick: could this be the real reason behind Linden Lab’s sudden moves to alter the way in which Adult Content is viewed and accessed within Second Life?

As is noted in the report, this is not the first time that Congress has grumbled at the likes of Second Life or frankly, rattled sabres. However, it isthe first time the finances have been appropriated for a specific investigation into how minors can access adult-themed material within virtual environments, quote:

“The Committee is concerned about reports of explicit content that can be easily accessed by minors on increasinly[sic] popular virtual reality web programs. The Committee directs the FTC to issue a consumer alert to educate parents on the content that is available to children on virtual reality web programs. In addition, no later than 9 months after enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit a report to the Appropriations Committee discussing the types of content on virtual reality sites and what steps, if any, these sites take to prevent minors from accessing content.”

This statement was made in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, HR110-920, introduced in December of last year. The investigation by Federal Trade Commission lawyers commenced in March 2009.

Yep, March…the month in which Linden Lab announced their proposals to alter adult content accessibility in Second Life. Coincidence? One can only think not.

So what if the investigation is the cause for Linden Lab to step in with – seemingly – “sweeping” changes to SL (and note I do not say “unreasonable” here)? Well, it certainly helps put things in to perspective.

While the investigation is not aimed solely at Second Life, it is certainly enough of a pointed gun to encourage Linden Lab to take steps to ensure that their house not only meets the current FTC-mandated regulations on virtual worlds access (which are, so far as I can gather, pretty lax – of which more anon), but that they are in a position to demonstrate that they have taken every reasonable step to ensure they have as far as is possible made Second Life an environment minors cannot readily access.

And one cannot blame them for this at all.

It matters not whether the proposed changes are foolproof or not – name me any system that is “foolproof” and I’ll happily show you a fool, as the saying goes. Sure, little Timmy can always find a means of circumventing the system, be it by “borrowing” Mum’s credit card to get his account verified or Dad’s driving licence to get himself age verified – but using such arguments as a reason not to have suitable verification processes in place are both irrelevant and idiotic.

And frankly, it’s about time they stopped, together with all the other idiocy floating around about such verification tools being against the likes of “EU Laws”.

Why? simply because it is not about whether Timmy or anyone else can circumvent the system, period. It is about Linden Lab demonstrating that they have met or exceeded every recommendation / requirement mandated by government to ensure Timmy cannot readily access adult content within Second Life – nothing more, nothing less. And some people need to get their heads around that fact.

Let’s use an example to demonstrate what I’m saying: all cars use ignition keys to access them and start the engine. So, is the fact little Timmy grabs Dad’s keys, gets into the family car and promptly runs it into the neighbour’s dog a failing on the car manufacturer’s part for not putting enough “anti-kid” failsafes in their cars – or is it Dad’s fault for leaving the car keys where Timmy can take them?

Age and account verification in SL is no different; providing adequate up-front blocks to open access are shown to be in place, then the fact that Timmy “borrows” Mum’s credit card to get his account verified cannot readily be blamed on any failing by Linden Lab to “protect” minors. providing LL can demonstrate the blocks are in place, then the fact that Timmy did circumvent them becomes a matter of parental not corporatefailing – just as little Timmy’s ability to grab Dad’s car keys is not a corporate failing on the part of car manufacturers, but purly a matter of “parental control”.

So why don’t Linden Lab simply ring-fence new arrivals into SL by locking them into a PG continent or by beefing-up the front-end sign-up process?

Well, primarily because neither of these acts would come as close to solving the problem in the timescales available, or successfully meet the criteria of preventing the finger of blame being pointed at LL should the most heinous of tragedies occur and a young person witness “adult” content.

For a start, given the apparently monolithic structure of SL, I doubt any “beefing up” of the sign-up process could be easily achieved within the time frame necessary. And let’s be clear on this; Linden Lab did not fail to ensure a robust sign-up process was in place from the start. Far from it. They adhered perfectly to the FTC’s stated requirements – and right now, they still do. It is not Linden Lab’s fault the regulations themselves have been wishy-washy or are likely to be changed as a result of this investigation.

And remember, the investigation is already underway. The final report is scheduled to be published in December. Given the way government agencies work, this likely means that Linden Lab have a very narrow window – perhaps months in which to demonstrate they are taking positive steps to address concerns over minors accessing adult content within SL. Thus, alterations to the sign-up process and ensuring all existing users are “covered” by it is likely to be exceptionally hard to do within such a time-frame – and equally likely to be far more disruptive to those of us already occupying Second Life.

Similarly, in the context of the FTC investigation, the implementation of a PG continent is not the most viable option for Linden Lab to safely ring-fence itself against the ire of Congress.

Why? Because such a continent would mean Linden Lab themselves would be responsible for policing the borders and ensuring little Timmy doesn’t climb the fence and fly off to see Things He Should Not See – because by the time he is able to climb the fence, he is already in-world, and so the onus is squarely on LL to ensure no fence-climbing is possible.

So long as the fences are positioned outside of SL (i.e. through account and age verification), then should little Timmy get through them, Linden Leb can justifiably state that his ability to do so was a failure on the part of his parents, and not on LL’s part. Move the fences in-world (around a PG continent) and this ceases to be the case, and LL are wide open to accusations, blame – and a possible lawsuit over the “trauma” caused.

Where Linden Lab have failed in this matter, and failed in the most deplorable manner, is in the use of smoke and mirrors in defining the reasons for the changes, assuming the FTC investigation is the real reason for the moves.

If it is, then far better that Linden Lab had been up front about it. Honesty really is the best policy. Certainly, it would have avoided the widespread wailing, gnashing of teeth and rending of virtual garments. Truth be told, it would have probably garnered them a lot of supportwithin the community and seen a lot of people who have otherwise ended up somewhat peed off at Linden Lab far more sympathetic and willing to work with them in developing a solution.

So why weren’t The Powers That Be up front with us? Probably for two reasons:

• Doing so might have been seen by those on the outside looking in (e.g. the likes of Congressman Mark Kirk of Illinois, who seems to have on-going issues with SL) as a tacit admission that there is a “big” problem within Second Life, and caused them to redouble their already vociferous shouts to have access to all Second Life content removed from schools, etc. (and leave us not forget, LL very much see educational link-ups as an important part of their future)
• Hubris: the leadership within Linden Lab have repeatedly failed themselves to grasp the fact that we, their user base, are adults. Time and again, rather than meet with us as equals, they’ve opted to look down upon us as a parent might look upon a wayward child and simplypatronise us. Most recently, this was demonstrated in the OpenSpace sim debacle, where the patronising attitude was very much in evidence from Mark Kingdon right down through to Jack Linden.

It does remain sad that Linden Lab continue not to be more forthright with their user base. If the FTC investigation is the reason behind their current proposals for adult content, then they’ve both shot themselves in the foot, vis-a-vis the aforementioned support they may otherwise have gained in being open, and they’ve further damaged the trust between themselves and their user base.

That said, one would hope that if it does become apparent that the FTC situation is the cause of the changes, that the community itself will show maturity and cease the foot stomping and lip pouting going around SL in the forums and on the JIRA, and try to engage with LL on a more positive footing to ensure the transition from “old” to “new” is carried out as positively and cooperatively as possible.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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?

On April 21st, Cyn Linden posted an “update” relating to changes to Adult Content in Second Life. As is usual with such postings from Linden Lab personnel there was much talk about about discussions with residents, brown-bag meetings and implementing the changes “in the least disruptive way possible”.

This has amounted to a case of being the good, the unfortunate and the ugly.

• The good: LL have apparentlybroadened the means of Age Verification to include having Payment Information Used as a means of verification (although this has yet to be confirmed on the Age Verification page) – so as long as you’ve used a credit card to purchase linden dollars in-world, you’re “verified” – the only problem you may encounter is if a sim owner opts to set the “Age Verification” flag on their sim, in which case you will need to be age verified to enter
• The unfortunate: the Adult Continent is a fact of life (Ursula), despite Linden Lab’s previous assurances the option of a ring fenced PG region would form a part on-going discussions in the matter
• The ugly: Linden labs seem determined not to engage with those of those active in the SL BDSM community as to what is considered “Mature” – as opposed to “Adult” – content.

That LL have opted to push ahead with the Adult Continent (indeed, have built it) should come as no surprise. Let’s face it, they’d already determined this would be the case before the first announcement relating to “adult content” was ever made – just as they’d already determined their course of action with regards to OpenSpace sim long before the initial announcement relating to them was made last year.

What is of concern, however, is the lack of engagement of the definition of “adult content”. Make no mistake, the current definitions, by-and-lage, are far too broad to suggest D/s and the majority of BDSM activities / products are “safe” from an “Adult” classification. Indeed, so subjective are the definitions, its fair to say that currently, BDSM could be said to fall squarely into the “Adult” category.

• Representation of intensely violent acts? Well – a whipping would, in most social circles, be regarded as a violent act. As would a kidnap role-play (taking someone ostensibly against their will)
• Photo-realistic nudity? – yup, tends to occur in both advertising and in the fact many subs prefer to be nude or at least semi-nude at at times
• Expressly sexual themed content? Hmmm….one might argue that D/s and BDSM is not purely about sex, but within SL few could argue that a large part of BDSM play is related to eroticism and “sexual themes”

Clearly, the big differentiator in matters is that D/s and BDSM are consenual acts – and this is the first thing the current definitions fail to address.

But it goes far beyond this, and right now, the one thing Linden Lab (again) appears unwilling to do is actually engage with people raising genuine concerns. There is much about D/s and BDSM that can be taken outside of the context of either “sex” or “violence” (again; is it really violent if the parties involved are clearly consenting to the actions in which they are participating (using a precept such as RACK)?); so where does it fall in the scheme of things?

Yet Linden Lab – specifically Cyn and Blondin Linden – repeatedly duck the issue when asked for clarification. And even when they do comment, they manage to increase concern and confusion.

For example, on the one hand we’re told “representations of intensely violent acts” are “Adult”, but then Blondin Linden pops into the forum an states that combat sims are merely “Mature”…

Given that combat sims frequently include mutilation, shooting, violent street fighting, knifings, dismemberment and many of the more advanced forms of violent death, it is hard to see how they don’t fall under the banner of “Adult” – yet Blondin open states this is to be the case!

AND….in the same breath Blondin intimates that a stip club will be “Mature” unless it uses certain “adult keywords” for search purposes, in which case it will be classificed as “Adult”. This gets even more confusing given that Blondin also states that while such a “keyword list” is being defined, LL will not release it as they don’t want it “gamed” – but if the list is not published, how are venue owners supposed to know when the have crossed the line from “Mature” to “Adult”?

And this is the crux of the problem: how are we supposed to enter into an adult discussion on and adult topic which will have far-reaching implications for the whole of Second Life when Linden Lab employee cherry-pick the questions they will answer?

Well, for one thing, we should – and must – avail ourselves of the one channel of expression they’ve given us: the forum thread. PLEASE, if you haven’t done so, take 5 or 10 minutes out to go over the thread and add your reasoned arguments as to why LL need to be more open and clear-cut in defining what constitutes Adult Content.

At the same time, to take a leaf right out of Dari Caldwell’s book, IM Blondin Linden and again politely let him know that simply ignoring questions and turning a deaf ear to legitimate concerns is not the manner in which responsible adults behave.

SL has suffered significant setbacks in user trust over the the 12 months (and I’ll refrain from making a major comment on how that “coincidentally” matches the time Mark Kingdon has been at the helm). While there may well be legitimate issues for introducing better “Adult” controls to SL (at least in some measure) the way they are going about it at present is very negative and risks further erosion of their credibility among adult users….