Creativity and New Media

New media truly fosters creativity. In order to explore my creativity, I used a virtual media, Second Life, and explored around the virtual world created in the game. Second Life is an online virtual world where users can chat during real-time, change their avatar, transport to different places in the world, buy items from the market place and much more! This was my first time exploring around with Second Life, but I enjoyed it and glad I got to take the time using it due to this assignment! To start off on Second Life, I changed my avatar and played around with her outfit. I let my creativity take on from here and added a silky top and pencil skirt to match my own personal fashion aesthetic and style. Although there weren't many options since I just started the account, I still explored around and added additional accessories to complete the look. I've attached a screenshot below of the complete look of my avatar. In addition to customizing my avatar, I also chatted with other online users that were able to familiarize me with the functions and activities of this virtual world. Second Life operated similar to a browser and had many files you can explore. If you wanted to explore another part of the world, you would have to click on a spot of the world you would like to teleport to. I've attached a screenshot below that shows the different places I've explored and was able to meet new people through. I find this aspect of Second Life very creative as it gives users the chance to look back to what places they explored, along with a map that shows them where more users can be found to interact with. While Second Life has many creative and interactive aspects to the game, one thing I wish they were able to include for the basic account members is for us to decorate our houses. According to someone I chatted with on Second Life, you have to upgrade your account for that. However, I really enjoyed my time on Second Life because it allowed me to explore a virtual world filled with new people to meet online while I got characterize my avatar the way I want to! It was a great experience, especially during a time we all are quarantined and can't actually explore the real world because of the pandemic.