"I developed a Degenerative spinal Disk Disease or DDD for short. I experience varying levels of pain below the waist, which precludes me from most work in my field of Research Computer Programmer or any field requiring uninterrupted concentration. I can walk short distances (no more then a short city block) before I must stop. Temporary relief from pain sometimes can be found in the traction achieved on an inversion table (an easy adjustable sloping table with ankle anchors.) It allows me the opportunity for pain relief while on it. Psychologically it helps me get by with more of the pain and for longer time periods knowing this potential for significant pain relief is near. My major adaptive computer alteration was to get a wireless keyboard and mouse. There are times when I need to use the computer but can't be at the computer standing/sitting for long, so I added a laying-down and upside-down position at the computer. With an adaption of two adjustable desk lights involving ducktape (quack!) and MacGyver-level of sophistication (or is it MacGyver-like tape and duck-like sophistication?) the inversion table is merged into the desk with animal rutting-like sophistication and abandon. The mouse is a minor problem. I haven't quite caged it yet. I've experimented with alternate input devices in the hopes of coming up with some type of adaptive device that could be used for people who are disabled and can't use a normal keyboard and mouse interface. The computer and internet and all they bring to my finger-tips is my ultimate adaptive equipment. Magic is created with the addition of phone wires and in the communal spirit and generosity of people's time. Each contribution may be multiplied many times when given freely for sharing by all. Today anyone with modest resources and a good idea may literally change the world overnight using these tools. Most of the value of the computer and internet is for giving us the means to support others. Some of these people maybe nearby in your neighborhood, or at the farthest point people have traveled. It brings similar interest-based people together from around the world. I am also recovering from a near death experience resulting in a neurological trauma and depreciation of mental skill. My attention and memory are attenuated. I also experience bouts of depression. I have lost some of my abilities at coping with AADD (Adult Attention Deficit Disorder). Virtual Ability allows me to stay in touch with people in somewhat similar situations. Because of the ease of unanimity and anonymity in SL, the people in the groups I have been involved with are much more open about themselves and their situation. I came into SL about one year now. I was working on a technical 'how-too' question - what is the optimal mechanically articulated motor-movements to reposition a hand and also be extendable and multitudinous (think telescoping, multi-legged, and adaptive.) Before set-up and modeling the problem, I was looking at compatible or adjustable virtual worlds to use. I had read about SL and decided to take a look. So I wondered around SL asking people technical questions. Then I got blind-sided by the social aspect. That was completely unexpected and came right out of left field. As a technical person with some background in immersive environments, I thought that I understood the scope of impact and value of a virtual world experience. The power of SL is not just in the communication freedom, but in the social energy the environment can create. I have interesting, amusing, and enlightening interactions anytime I want in SL. In a few years I imagine smart and creative high school students being able to tap in and learn from world-wide networks of experts for any field of study. My 6-year-old may do projects in subjects with the best people in the fields of interest to him when he gets older with the capabilities built into SL as it is today. I'm looking forward to watching it improve and evolve in the years ahead. I have learned that people are more themselves when pretending than in any other time. In SL, people automatically seem to be more themselves than they would be in real life. The muting of body language, the physical distance, and other factors combine to make social interaction more focused and paradoxically more intimate. My entry into SL was strange at first. When I started, all the new people first arrived at a single virtual location. I was greeted by lots of people and come away with impressions of helpfulness and overly fashionable-minded people. Some seemed to think not being dressed well was a type of insult to some honorable and important fashion-related cause. I got a vague notion of status or position based on constantly adjusting fashion criteria. I have never been comfortable with this type of narrow mindedness. I almost walked away from SL at the start. There is something mind boggling in the notion that something so significant to my present life pivoted on my level of cultural tolerance, which was directly influenced by fashion. It also begs the question of what opportunities have I missed through similar near-random-seeming situations? And a related question to SL creators - how many people who would have found SL important in their lives - just walked away - all for the want of interest tailored entry points? A friend recommended I check out Virtual Ability. I've mostly tried to keep up-to-date on their events. I help whenever I see an opportunity. (I miss helping people by being a volunteer fire and rescue member. VAI helps me fill that desire.) SL helps me remember that me or you could change the ways and mannerisms of all people. The Idea that will do this is as close to me, or you, as our imaginations. A bit like the mouse trap or better tools to communicate. I might not die without SL, but the near limitless communication possibilities it creates are very promising. I support SL-like interfaces because they can reshape our world for the benefit of all. Everyone is strengthened by each new idea discussed. I fancy the coalescing of SL and many other factors could produce a golden age for people. Built on the foundation of each idea which has been discussed and open to the best minds throughout human-kind. This will be a pleasure to witness, and maybe help. SL keeps me in-touch with friends of all shapes and sizes. The people behind the avatars are as real as you or me. So the question is: what do the tools which expand my social interaction potential mean to me? (Answer to this rhetorical question is left to the reader.)" |