SL is either a game or a tool but whatever it is, the virtual world that occupies our time and our thoughts is just not that meaningful in the grand scheme of things. Whether or not Philip is CEO or display names set us up for griefing or the cost of tier - these are problems of people of privilege in a world where clean drinking water is the daily concern of many. I try to keep my problems in perspective.
Having said that, something has happened to my SL that has moved it from the category of "fun" to the category of "obligation." I have been trying to figure out how that slow migration happened, seemingly without me even noticing.
I started blogging for myself and never really thought I would have actual readership. I started writing for New World Notes because I thought it would be a fun job and a way to meet interesting people. I was tired of putting cash into SL and I wanted a way to make enough Linden to pay for my shopping habit and for tipping musicians and venues.
It is nice when people take a minute to say "hey I read your blog and I love it." Yes, it pumps up my ego. I admit to enjoying the compliments when they come. I hear about fun events and sims before others because people want me to give them publicity in New World Notes. Yes, I like seeing things early and being able to share what I have learned with other people. Is there a little ego boost in that too? Sure.
The downside of all this is the haters who feel free to criticize everything from what I say and do to what I wear and who I associate with inworld and outside SL. I have not yet (and probably never will) have a thick skin about being on the receiving end of hate. Lately I seem to be a hate magnet and its getting me down.
As I approach the end of my 365 I am thinking about change. I am examining my SL habits and wondering what comes next. In January I will have been writing about events on NWN for two full years, which is about a year longer than my personal goal. I am beginning to think about 2011 and wondering what is has in store for me.
Stick around. More than likely I will be writing about whatever happens.
8 comments:
I used to blog for KoinUp but was quite relieved when I stopped, now I just do as I please.... in the same way I love not paying tier in SL, it has lifted a weight off my shoulders.
Maybe simplifying our second and first lives is how the Social Artist in us gets a chance to draw breath...
Hey, I read your blog and I love it!
I will take anonymous love over anonymous hate any day.
<3
If it helps at all, remind yourself that those who bully you don't go to bed at night wondering what you think of them; nor should you, about them.
Do what you do. Love what you do. Haters make themselves look ridiculous by their own words and actions and need nothing from you to help them do so.
You needn't always have a thick skin. But present one by taking the high road and giving haters all the acknowledgement they deserve from you: none at all. To do otherwise feeds their ego.
Welcome to the club, kitten. There are no t-shirts, alas. The best I can suggest is that you just try to keep the bile-spewers in perspective and develop a system to do things at your own pace at your own time. There is a democratic flea in our brains that insists everyone is equal and their opinion deserves equal airing. But this is only true in a public format. In the receptors of our private minds, we are allowed to distinguish between the voices that matter and the voices that don't. You're going to slip from time to time, but giving yourself permission to label certain people as valid for constructive criticism and others as simply the worthless vileness they are will go a long way to helping with this problem.
Yes, it's hard when they stalk you and seem "tuned in" to you so that they can focus into the very guts of your day-to-day pleasures and attempt to decay them from the inside out, but at the end of the day, they only have the power you give them.
Trust me.
Don't let the haters get you down. Easier said than done, I know. I don't have much of a thick skin either. What I do know is that when something you enjoyed changes from a fun and enjoyable time to work and something that has to be done, it can greatly change your perspective. Sometimes these deadlines can become too much and start to feel and look like RL work. It's one of the nice things about blogging and writing on your own terms and schedule. I hope you find what works best for you.
Thanks for your comments. Thank you especially Salome because I respect your opinion since I know you are speaking from experience.
My point in this post was not "oh poor me I am efamous and people are being mean to me on the internet."
My point was "this is totally nuts and I need to reevaluate my time because, really? I just don't care any more."
I always send new residents to Chestnut's Choices to get a feel for the variety of things to see and do in SL. Will hate to see it go, someday. But I think we are all feeling this "end of an age" mood and threat. It makes some folks lash out and it makes others sad. Do what is right for you.
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