Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds can be used in many different ways. Virtual worlds provide a space in which people can be where ever they want, at the click of a button, without physically having to go anywhere. They can be used for business, personal use, toys, and most importantly spaces that people with disabling disabilities can go and do what ever they want. This is important because they are able to live an alternative lifestyle that they may not have been able to do otherwise. 

In the "Toys with a Second Life" article, we are able to see that children can also use Second Life. It is a new way to play with toys, without making messes. Children are able to create lives for their animals. Ganz created a system in which "the little plush animals come with cods that activate an online version of the toy in virtual 'Webkinz World'" (Toys With a Second Life). This is cool because the children can be entertained without much of a hassle for the parent. On the other hand, it may inhibit a child's physical social interaction with other children

In, "VLES", David Itzkoff explained that while living in the LES, many places he likes to attend are sometimes packed or provide a negative experience. He has entered a Second Life world of his very own neighborhood. Itzkoff says "despite knowing that its real-life inspiration exists right outside my door, I have spent the last few months making such visits to the Virtual Lower East Side". This creates a fantasy world of a real place. The bad thing is that a business could suffer because a member opts for the Virtual World. This keeps the person from exploring the real place, even if those places are only physically a few feet away.

These virtual worlds allow the user to be creative and create a "dream world", where everything happens how they want it to. They are able to create a different life and create a space that doesn't include characteristics that they don't like from the real versions of these places.

I think many more people will start creating Second Life avatars and it will hurt human interaction.While it does make it easier for a person to enjoy the spaces they are in, it does not help in  dealing with the real world. People may become miserable when entering the real world, creating a virtual addiction.