Posted on 05/18/2007 11:05:52 AM PDT by WesternCulture
Sweden will open the first 'diplomatic representation' in the virtual reality of web-based Second Life, a fantasy world inhabited by computer-generated residents, on May 30, the Swedish Institute said Friday.
"The Second House of Sweden, the world's first virtual embassy in Second Life will be inaugurated on May 30," the institute said in a statement.
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Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Director General of the Swedish Institute Olle Wästberg will be present at the "opening".
The embassy will not provide passports or visas but will instruct visitors how to obtain such documents in the real world and act as a link to web-based information about the Scandinavian country.
The Swedish Institute is an agency of the Swedish foreign ministry tasked with informing the world about Sweden.
Second Life, created by San Francisco technology company Linden Lab, has attracted several real-world companies, including car manufacturers and sports clothing makers, which created 3-D stores.
On Friday, according to the Second Life website (http://secondlife.com/), there were 6,491,898 residents in its alternative reality.
In January Swedish authorities said they would clamp down on Swedes earning money through Internet games such as Second Life.
AFP
Any other Freepers in SL?
- Seems like we Swedes continue finding ways of making money on strange things. In this case on things that don’t even exist.
But in Sweden, no one makes money without the consent of authorities. Hence, the ‘diplomatic’ presence.
Sweden is indeed a very centralist society where belief in small government is weak. But contrary to what most people believe, this doesn’t mean Sweden lacks bold entrepreneurs.
In fact, Sweden is both about the omnipresent ‘big brother’ government as well as the bold entrepreneurs who founded companies like Volvo, IKEA, SAAB, Ericsson and Electrolux.
First installation of the future “Matrix?”
“Have to go check it out.. a lot of schools have sites there as a way to have virtual conferences & classes..”
- I’m not into SL myself but I believe there are many good sides to it.
For instance, I’m sure SL probably is a useful tool in the context of education in many ways.
Beyond the world of conferences and classes, there are certainly other possibilities.
Being European, I’ve often heard of projects in schools around Europe aiming at establishing contact between school children in different parts of the EU. Such projects are, naturally, viewed as more or less necessary for forging a solid, strong, future union of European countries.
However, regimentation of thoughts is not the basic idea. Sooner, it’s about inspiring children to develop a sense of pride in their cultural identity while simultaneously encouraging them to explore the great opportunities of a united Europe.
SL could probably develop into a widely used platform for exchange between, not only schools within the EU, but also between American and European schools. This would, by all means, benefit the Western World as a whole.
“First installation of the future “Matrix?””
- Sounds plausible.
That's what I use it for.. the platform behind SecondLife (Multiverse) is perfect for building VLE's (Virtual Learning Environments.) + the platform is open source.
That’s what I use it for.. the platform behind SecondLife (Multiverse) is perfect for building VLE’s (Virtual Learning Environments.) + the platform is open source.
- Great.
Here in Sweden, SL has gained more publicity because of the ways in which some people make tax free money through it.
Related article:
http://www.thelocal.se/6262/20070131/
So when can we go there and appeal for asylum? ;)
Second Life? What are the Swedes doing about First Life? Still aborting those pesky little kids?
“Second Life? What are the Swedes doing about First Life? Still aborting those pesky little kids?”
- In order to provide you with some sort of answer to your question, here are some links:
To begin with, “Core beliefs” of Kristdemokraterna (Christian Democrats), the party most often associated with “family values” in Sweden. Since October 2006, their leader, Mr Hägglund is Minister for Health and Social Affairs in Sweden (The Christian Democrats are one of the parties forming the present center-right coalition government of Sweden).
Being a party deeply engaged in matters like family issues and Christian values, most people view it as all natural they were handed the responsibility over this area of government.
http://www.kristdemokraterna.se/otherlanguages/English.aspx
Swedish Ministry for Health and Social Affairs:
http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2197
http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2061/m/header
The Swedish abortion act:
http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/06/28/70/4755c9dc.pdf
“So when can we go there and appeal for asylum? ;)”
- I can understand why some people from Africa plan on settling down in Sweden, but why would someone from Texas ever wish to do so?
Isn’t it true Texas is one of the best parts of America..
Just kiddin’, everyone knows Texas has a lot to offer.
In any case, Welcome to Sweden! (But if you ever come here, in case you haven’t been here already, I guess it’ll be as a tourist?)
What’s next? The Swedish embassy to Animal Crossing and the Court of Princess Peach?
So the Swedes are still aborting those peaky little children. But only the real little ones...the ones that nobody can see except in doctors’ offices.
Some “civilized” “child” policy!
I'm waiting for the blonde exchange program between Texas and Sweden. ;) Don't worry, you'll be getting the better of the deal. :)
Hey, in Second Life
that beautiful blonde woman
you are flirting with
is a teenage boy
or an FBI agent
or a weird old man...
That’s why I don’t waste my time on SL. I’m still struggling with my first one. ;)
- Personally, I’d say the Christian Democrats are not as ‘radical’ as they once were. They used to be more of a Christian Morality Party than they are today.
On the other hand, the Pro Life perspectives have become more widely accepted in Sweden during the last two, three decades. In part, this is due to the Christian Democrats.
By the way, a Swedish pastor you might have heard of is Ulf Ekman. I’m not one of his followers, but I still think he ought to be viewed as a good defender of Christianity and Western Civilization.
Before the Berlin Wall came down, he was touring Russia and the other East European countries (during Glasnost, such activities were permitted). Today he is mainly devoted to spreading Christianity in Asia. I remember seeing him on each and every TV channel in India when I went there for holiday in 2001.
“I’m waiting for the blonde exchange program between Texas and Sweden. ;) Don’t worry, you’ll be getting the better of the deal. :)”
- In that case, Cheers to the blonde exchange program between Texas and Sweden!!
Thank God The Russian Orthodox Church has more sense and civilization than Swedish Lutherans!
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/12/27/churchgayban.shtml
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