Module 4: The Disruptive Power of Second Life

Module 4:  The Disruptive Power of Second Life

In the DVD entitled, “Emerging and Future Technology,” Thornburg (2009) described disruptive technology as one of the six forces that drive emerging technologies.  Thornburg argued that the term disruptive technology is associated with Clayton Christianson, a University Professor at Harvard.  He mentioned that Clayton Christianson has thought about disruptive technology and how it has evolved and developed over time.  Thornburg defined disruptive technology as a new technology with the same functionality of an existing technology.  This new technology functions more efficiently at a lower cost and then obsoletes that existing technology.  For example, individuals performing in live bands at a hotel.  These people believed that they had job security for a lifetime.  A disruptive technology such as CDs and the Internet which is audio technology replaces the live bands.  Thornburg concluded that the disruptive technology takes place in McLuhan’s second quad which involves obsoleting of an existing technology.     

How is Second Life a disruptive technology?

Second Life is a disruptive technology because it changes the way we socialize and interact on the Internet.  According to Rosedale (2008) in his video entitled, “Second Life,” that Second Life is a 3D world where everyone you see is a real person and each place you visit is built by people like you. Rosedale stressed that you enter a world with infinite possibilities and live a life without boundaries, guided only by your imagination.  He concluded that Second Life is a virtual world where people share a connection to space, recreate the world, and get inside the computer and make things.   

What technology or innovation did it displace?

The innovations that Second Life displaces are social interaction networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn.  Other technologies that Second Life disrupts are:  wikis and blogs, which cover the collaboration, sharing of ideas, and discussions.

How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?

I am uncertain about the amount of time that Second Life has before a new or disruptive technology replaces it.  Rosedale (2008) stressed that the next decade will encompasses a virtual world because this is the most common place where human beings come together in order to consume information.  He argued that it may be Second Life, something larger than Second Life, decedents of Second Life and that the Internet will become a valuable tool for Second Life. 

What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?

The social benefits of Second Life are that it allows people to build on their creativity, 3D life environment, and a “melting pot” for cultures and diversities.  In education, the social implication is that the Second Life platform allows students to interact socially and bring their real life skills and experiences into reality.  Second Life will also provide students with real world situations in various subjects in order to challenge and enhance their critical thinking and writing skills.  Teachers and other educators will benefit by holding professional development sessions in this virtual world and for the development of curricula. 

A short video entitled, "Living the "Second' Life CBS News Video, can be access at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2496361n.  The video is dated January 1, 2008.  NOTE:  This video was not available for embedment. 

References

Laureate Education, Inc.  (Executive Producer).  (2009).  Disruptive technologies.  [DVD].  In emerging and future technology.  Baltimore:  Author.

Rosedale, P.  (2008).  Phillip Rosedale on Second Life. 
http://www.ted.com/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html


Michele


Module 4:  The Disruptive Power of Second Life

I responded to the following community members:

Timothy Weaverhttp://weave1-weave1.blogspot.com

Kevin Klein

http://kklein66.wordpress.com/