It's not all black and white.

The whole immersion versus augmentation debate is clouded by one trivial little detail. One is not the opposite of the other. The two aren't even mutually exclusive.

Traditionally these two are generally classified like this:

Augmentationists see the virtual world as a simple extension of RL. It's another space in which things can be done. Like IRC, or the Web or Twitter, or the telephone. It extends what is possible to the user, augmenting their abilities. The augmented user remains themselves throughout, and their activities are simply enhanced. The augmented love things that extend and improve their ability to accomplish.

Immersionists are described as those who see the their time in Second Life as an alternative to the real. They take on new appearances and entirely new personae, quite different to their own. Immersonists hate anything that distracts from their sense of a new, alternative universe.

That's how those are usually defined. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to call bullshit.

Here's an article with some meat to chew on regarding the adoption of voice in SL and how it affects the old debate between immersion and augmentation.

Is this of any concern? As the piece itself mentions, there will always be a place for those who don't wish to utilize voice, or even to witness it, even at a remove. Certainly there will exist, or probably even already exist sims that effectively ban the use of voice altogether -- is this to be seen as unrealistic, or unnecessary, or excessive? Contrary to my own belief, I've found that remaining in text-only mode among those who are using voice does not mean being left out of the conversation; indeed, I've found that the conversation pauses to wait for my text message, allowing me to feel included.

Has anyone here flat-out refused to use voice? Why?

(Via http://ieet.org)

Because I'm always on the lookout for positive mentions of SL in the media, I almost hate to co-opt this article's being bullish on the platform, because I had to talk about the mention of Twitter. I'm sure many people are excited to Tweet from within SL, but it's funny for the author to talk about the immersive experience of SL, and then choose to step backward (or upward, depending on how you look at such things), and add another layer of distance from the immersion by using Twitter.

I know that SL's a currently closed platform in the sense that like Vegas, what's in SL stays in SL, and you can't have a real-time conversation with anyone not currently in SL. But given its sporadic nature, is SL-to-Twitter really a good solution? I suppose there's something to be said for "I'm heading to the Shelter for dancing -- meet me there!", but for anything more conversant, you're missing the point of being in SL in the first place. When in-world, you want to converse with your in-world friends, else why be there? Maybe I'm just getting tired of Twitter and this is me being grumpy. Thoughts, anyone?

(Via blogs.zdnet.com)

If you talk to educators in Second Life, you often hear three things mentioned as clear benefits of Second Life, whatever your discipline:

• Immersion
• Visualisation
• Collaboration

In a lovely example of the second and third of these, and adding to the first Andrew Lang (Professor of Maths, Oral Roberts University), Jean-Claude Bradley (Professor of Chemistry) and his team (Drexel University) have worked together to make a 3D representation of a molecule which animates and runs through the first steps in an imine synthesis, part of making a proto-type anti-malarial drug.

As Jean-Claude comments in his blog this adds a whole new dimension in teaching these reactions - students and teachers can walk around the molecule and see the bonds break and reform, a big change to looking at figures in a textbook. See if for yourself at Drexel Island.

Obscura Digital, a San Francisco-based company that specializes in 'unconventional' media and event production, last week demonstrated a new way to experience SL. In collaboration with Phreak Interactive, an immersive kiosk was built, looking like a large plastic egg. The viewer sits inside this egg, where she experiences SL projected upon the curved interior.

There is a short, blurry video at the linksite, but I imagine the experience is probably cooler in person. If anyone has had the pleasure of trying this out, drop us a comment!

(Via sfgate.com)

This article describes a use for educational facilities in SL that I hadn't previously considered. The University of New Orleans plans to offer two classes this Fall, though class subjects haven't been disclosed. However, given the devastation New Orleans recently endured, having a virtual campus will make it possible for education to continue, as long as a student can reach a networked computer.

The article provides a second example of good use for SL: the creation of a navigable environment, through which students can walk and explore. Such a thing can really bring to life what might otherwise be a static, vague concept, which can only help students understand. I wonder how long it'll be before entire civilizations will be rendered this way, visitable and open for examination? Myself, I'd like to see ancient Mayan life, complete with rituals and architecture. Immersive environments work; just ask Disney.

I saw something the other day that makes me wonder on which side of the Immersion/Augmentation fence LL lives. It's now a common thing (sadly) to still see avatars walking around with 'MISSING IMAGE' textures all over themselves. I feel sorry for the Immersionists when this happens, because there's nothing more likely to disable one's suspension of disbelief than a visual reminder that they're sharing the world with computer-generated constructs.

In the same vein, every now and then I see a little warning icon appear; you know the ones: open triangle with an exclamation mark within. Same problem. I appreciate what's being communicated here; there is a problem with the texture or object being loaded. Surely, there must be a better, less immersion-breaking way to signal this. Even seeing the simple grey texture is better. I welcome our readers to submit their ideas.