Moon Shot

Hello all.  I am writing as I orbit the moon!

I have taken advantage of a wonderful simulation created by Wicked Quasimodo.  Wicked has coordinated the construction of a Saturn V rocket and is developing a simulation of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.  Wicked has not completed the entire flight.  As of this writing your journey will take you to the moon and place you in lunar orbit in about 30 minutes.

What a fantastic flight!  Check out the pics, and visit the simulation yourself.  Make sure to pick up the HUD at the base of the launch pad which provides NASA audio from the flight mission.  For best results adjust your graphic setting to the highest quality possible, otherwise you will miss the beauty of seeing our home and satellite from orbit.

The rocket launches around the half hour every hour.  There are only four seats in the capsule, so you may want to arrive early to get on board.  Enjoy your flight!

Far Out Friday

Welcome once again, dear readers.  Last week I received an invitation to a live broadcast of the Far Out Friday lecture series from the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.  The broadcast was held at the International Year of Astronomy Amphiteater on Astronomy 2009 island.  The series is host to speakers from the field of science every first Friday of each month.  This time the speakers were Br. Guy Cosolmagno, Astronomer at the Vatican Observatory, and Scott Gaudi, Professor of Astronomy at Ohio State University.

The amphitheater at the IYA island is beautiful.  We sat on a grassy hill, covered by a translucent dome of blue with white stars on it.  The setting was perfect, and as the virtual sun set and the stars began to shine in the darkened sky I sincerely felt this was the right place to be for this event.

I was, however, surprised by the low number of avatars present.  How, I wondered, could it be that such a great event only garnered the interest of a dozen avatars or so?  Ourania Fizgig, manager of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 presence in Second Life and host of the event, explained that this was a 'soft opening' by invitation only, thus the low numbers.  She explained that future lectures will be advertised, and I expect the number of avies present will be greater.  I'll tell you something, I will certainly do my part to spread the word.

In real life Ourania Fizgig is Adrienne Gauthier, Industrial Designer and Technologist at the Steward Observatory, University of Arizona.  Along with Christopher Impey, Professor of Astronomy at the Steward Observatory, University of Arizona and Second Life resident Cosmo Priestman, Ourania worked with undergraduate students at UofA to create the History of Earth and Life on Earth Walking Exhibit in Second Life.  You can read more about this project at the EDUCAUSE Review website.

At the lecture Ourania was busy coordinating the real life event in Chicago with it's manifestation in Second Life while at the same time dealing with my incessant questions and shouts of excitement.  I certainly didn't make it easy on her.

Aside from a few technical challenges (good thing this was a 'soft opening'.... I guess Ourania knows what she's doing) I was very excited during the entire event.  It just blows my mind that I can be thousands of miles away from Chicago and still be able to enjoy and 'be present' at such an interesting lecture thanks to modern technology.  Not only that, the fact the lecture was being broadcast live in Second Life was emphasized from the beginning, giving me pleasure in and of itself, but during the q&a period following each lecture we were actually part of the live discussion!  I got to ask Br. Consolmagno about the Kepler mission (which happened to be launching the same evening) and what opinion or stance the Vatican has in regards to the implications finding extra-solar earthlike planets, and by extension life elsewhere in the universe, would have on humanity.  Want to know how he responded?  So do I.  Unfortunately I had difficulty understanding him clearly as the audio was a bit muffled and my real life ears are not as functional as they used to be, but the lectures will supposedly be available as vodcasts.

I want to make a point about my appreciation of modern technology, specifically for Second Life as a platform and tool, as well as about the work Ourania put into making this event a success.  The technology in and of itself is amazing, but worthless without hands to manipulate and control it.  People like Ourania, and various other individuals and organizations, who individually and collaboratively use this tool to provide anyone in the world (with a high-speed internet connection) with information and resources (and by extension power) are what keep me wanting to explore more of Second Life.  Thank you Ourania for making this event happen.

I encourage you to visit the Astronomy 2009 island as it is host to a wonderful exhibit dedicated to humanity's exploration of and appreciation for the heavens, and to come out on Friday, April 3rd,  for the next lecture in the Far Out Friday series at the Amphitheater located near the north-west corner of the island.  You'll probably see me there, whooping with excitement like a little boy looking at the moon through a telescope for the first time.

Remember, comments are greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

Take care.

Pluton Karas

P.S:  A note on Ourania's name.  Ourania (or Urania) was a daughter of Zeus and one of the nine muses.  She was the muse of Astronomy.

Rocket Building Competition

Hello everyone.  Pluton here to tell you about the Tiny Moonraker rocket building competition held at Space Frontier earlier today.

I arrived on schedule, at 2 pm SLT, at the Space Frontier Sandbox, where there were some tiny rocketeers present.  I knew this contest was targeted at tinies, but when I actually found myself surrounded by little adorable bears, bunnies, and dragons I felt like cuddling them, a feeling which was unexpected and strange.  They were very cute, all done up in clever space suits and outfits befitting the occasion.

I had never been surrounded by so many tinies.  I had met a few in isolated situations, but being in the presence of so many gave me a sense of other-worldliness, and once everyone gathered at the actual launch site things got even stranger.  There were so many tinies all around that I felt nervous about walking, concerned that I might crush one of them!  Then they began to remind me of the mischievous creatures of the Gremlins films!  But not for long.  The tinies were bundles of chaotic energy, just like those nasty green creatures, but certainly not mischievous and bent on destruction.  No, these tinies were highly imaginative and bent on creating, as I was soon to learn.

UKBIKER Betsen, and other tinies, awaiting launch time

The rocket creations were fantastic works of imagination and absurdity.  I was unable to capture all the rockets on film, so the following is not a complete listing of all the rockets launched.

Copper Mistral's copper rocket

Etherea Parrot's giant bottle rocket

Catten Carter's retro-futuristic rocket

Hannibal Salamander's half scale Saturn V rocket

Xanda Bracken's rocket animal

Skinty Sparta's Tiny Astronomical Space Accidents (TASA) rocket

Rizzo Taurus' udderly fabulous rocket (wish I had a better pic)

SHAMUS Carter's sim transporting rocket

SHAMUS ready for takeoff

Vic Titanium's carbonated sugar-water propellant rocket

Azelle Mavendorf's double booster lounge pad

patrich Merlin's baby bottle space booster

Raymond Nightfire's ballistic V-2 creation

There was a great moment I wish I could have captured on video.  Skinty Sparta's rocket initially malfunctioned and exploded!  Fortunately Skinty was unharmed, most certainly due to the flawless design of her crew cabin and flight suit.

Skinty ready for take off

Mayday!  Mayday!

Skinty protected in the crew cabin!

Hurrah!  Skinty is unscathed!

After an hour of fun rocket launches it was time for the judges to deliberate over the contestant's efforts.  Fifth place was awarded to Raymond Nightfire, fourth place to Lara Vidor (not pictured), third place to SHAMUS Carter, second place to Azelle Mavendorf, and first place to Gadget Jun.

The best rocketeers of the day

Gadget Jun and her winning rocket

Special Honorable Mention was bestowed upon JiKun Aero who missed the opportunity to launch a multi-stage rocket that would have surely impressed the judges.

If you would like to see the rockets visit the Space Frontier Sandbox.  Some rockets are launch capable, some are copyable.  Feel free to roam and explore.

My sincere apologies go out to all the rocketeers whose creations were not represented in this entry; Differ Darwin, UKBIKER, Tiamat, Lara Vidor, and PsychicMediumMeri Indigo.

This event was one worthwhile attending, and certainly one worth repeating.  I hope Krull Aeon, Rocket Sellers, and all the community of Space Frontier do it again.  Thank you all for working so hard to make this happen.

Thanks go out to all the tinies who participated.  Your creativity is amazing, and your energy is boundless!

Sincerely,

Pluton Karas

StormEye

Preparing to enter StormEye.

Hello dear readers.  I have found a beautiful installation located 500 meters above the NMC Campus' Aho Museum.

StormEye is the result of the collaborative work of Desdemona Enfield and Douglas Story.  I was fortunate enough to meet and converse with Desdemona beneath the virtual glow of Second Life's full moon.  It did not take much to get Desdemona to tell me about herself and her work.  Desdemona's principal skills are in scripting, though she also adds to the visual design of the pieces she and Douglas work on.

Desdemona Enfield

How do I make a brief entry while still doing justice to the beauty of the installation?  Perhaps images, each worth a thousand words, would be of better use in this case.

At the entrance.

Get yourself an umbrella, compliments of Bryn Oh.

Inside the funnel, with blotto Epsilon.

The inner chamber, which Desdemona referred to as the eye of the

storm, during a peaceful moment.

SweetlySo Gealach enjoys the calm within.

The inner chamber during the storm.

Pluton Karas, sundhi Joubert, and SweetlySo Gealach.

Outside the piece with sundhi Joubert.

Relaxing with Bill Friis.

Everyone is invited to visit StormEye on Saturday, February 21, from 2-4 pm SLtime, for a celebration including ballroom dancing hosted by dj Naydee McGettigan.  I won't be able to attend, so I ask you, dear reader, if you attend the celebration, or whenever you experience StormEye, would you be so kind as to leave me a note abou it?

I have been struggling to stave off sleep.  I wanted to finish this short entry before retiring for the evening.  I hope it is not disjointedly structured.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.

Remember, comments are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Pluton Karas

Virtual Ability in the News

Hello everyone.  I just read an interview with Gentle Heron, president of Virtual Ability Inc., in the Second Life newspaper.  Gentle Heron talks of the further expansion of Virtual Ability with its affiliation to Cape Able, an organization dedicated to providing resources for the hearing impaired in Second Life.

Two of the exciting updates are an art gallery featuring works by deaf and other disabled artists, and a Service Center with resources for the hearing impaired and anyone interested in learning more about the deaf community.  I ran into one of Gentle Heron's old friends, Norse Writer, who was kind enough to pose with me for this picture inside the Service Center.

An official Grand Opening celebration will take place on Sunday, February 22, from 2 to 6 pm SLT.  Unfortunately I won't be able to attend.  If you visit please drop me a note about the event, or if you post about it send me a link.

Take care.

Pluton Karas

Teleport to Cape Able

Aerospace Crew

Differ Darwin, Motoko Karu, Rocket Sellers, Elbereth White,

Krull Aeon, and myself in front of a high-tech mobile rocket lab.

Hey all.  Pluton here, back with another quick entry.

After exploring the region Space Frontier a bit further I found a crew of rocket builders.  This being Second Life all the avatars were unique and included a cat (Krull Aeon), a fairy in human guise (Rocket Sellers), a plains clothes rocketeer (Elbereth Witte), a space suited rocketeer (Differ Darwin), and a cyborg (Motoko Karu).

All the rocket builders were very friendly and encouraged everyone who may read this to go over and check out their rocket building facility.  A word of caution, however.  There is information around the sim that lists a schedule for rocket building classes.  Unfortunately the classes are no longer offered.  Rocket Sellers, who described herself as both the manager and a patron of Space Frontier, explained that they are "planning other sorts of classes that are not about Second Life, just in Second Life".  Unfortunately she would not tell me more, saying "it's a secret project".

When I asked the rocket builders if they wanted me to mention anything specific about their work Rocket Sellers expressed the need for low cost and frequent access to space.  "You can go to the moon or mars or asteroid or moons of Jupiter," she went on, "no need to argue about the destination now... just get to orbit affordably".  On the other hand Krull Aeon expressed the need to "commission a really big rubber band,"  and when Elbereth Witte mentioned that Russia has declared and interest in reaching Mars, Krull responded by declaring an "interest in Mars bars".

Rocket Sellers went on to say that "this project is supporting non profits, companies and individuals who are concerned about access to space.  We might joke around, but we are very serious."  At the end of this entry you will find links to some non profit organizations Rocket listed during our conversation.

If you are interested in rocket building, making access to space more feasible, and networking with others who share this interest then search for the group Space Frontier and visit the the Space Frontier region.  Remember, the region is always in development.  As Rocket Sellers pointed out, "we consider this research, and our motto is Always Under Construction".

Sincerely,

Pluton Karas

Space Access Society

Space Studies Institute

Space Frontier Foundation

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space

Rocket Science

Hello everyone.  I have not been touring much recently, but tonight I got on and immediately found this fantastic event.  This one's for all the rocket scientists out there.

Over at the Space Frontier Sandbox I found a rocket building contest.  Everything you need to enter is provided when you click on the poster.  You get an already constructed rocket, with scripts included, and a notecard with competition guidelines.

The competition is open to anyone who would like to build a rocket, either using the rocket provided or one entirely created from scratch.  The are only two restrictions.  First, "no pre-scripted or pre-purchased items" are allowed.  Second, the "rockets must be created by the original participant."  Beyond this anything goes.

Physics are important in this competition, as I quickly learned when I tried to ride the rocket.  After spending a few frustrating minutes I succeeded in standing atop the gray vehicle.  When I launched, however, the rocket tipped and blasted off, struck a structure, skimmed over the land and ended up underwater.  Fortunately it had no warhead within, and the field was empty of avatars, otherwise I hate to think what may have happened!  There was no catastrophic event.  In fact it turned quite humorous as I ran and flew around trying to capture a photograph of the accident.

The launch date of the competition is Saturday, February 21, with a slated time of 3 pm SL time.  I am looking forward to seeing all the different entries blast off into the clouds above.

Sincerely,

Pluton Karas

Maddening Field Trip

Travieso Sella, Adriel Ronas, Scott Nizna, Christiana

Senovka, and Pluton Karas, ready to go insane.

"If you have a history of mental illness, particularly a psychotic disorder, you should not tour this facility".  Thus begins the tour of the Virtual Hallucinations facility in Sedig, a simulation which provides a glimpse into the schizophrenic's perception of reality.  Thanks to the work of Dr. Peter Yellowlees, professor of psychiatry at UC Davis, and his peers, avatars are able to explore a medical ward in which aural and visual hallucinations transform what should be a sterile and safe environment into a maddeningly terrifying one.

The maddening experiences in the ward are based upon the very real experiences of schizophrenics interviewed for the project, and include the following:

• unnervingly calm voices repeatedly reminding you that you're dead, that you don't exist, that you know none of this is real
• a poster and newspaper whose printed messages transform, distorting not just your perceived world but also the value of your own existence
• a television broadcast that directly addresses you, and which attacks and devalues your existence

• a mirror in which a healthy looking man smiles at you as you watch him die and begin to decompose; this is based on the experience of a patient who stopped shaving because every morning he would see his reflection dying and decomposing

• a gun which suddenly appears beneath a spotlight, with voices trying to convince you to take it and kill yourself; also based on a patient's experience, the man was arrested for attempting to take a police officers gun after the voices he heard gave him the instruction to do so
• a hallway whose floor suddenly disappears beneath you, leaving you to precariously make your way over an abyss by hopping on floating stones

Obviously listing the 'experiences' does them no justice, so I won't go into length about them.  You must experience them yourself.  And let me warn you, the experience can be terrifying.

I took a group of avatars I met at Philosophy House on a field trip to the sim.  I had been through the simulation on two separate occasions, both times unaccompanied.  This time I was touring with a group.  Very early into our tour I realized that touring with a motley crew like the one I gathered reduced the impact the tour had on me, and thereby must also mean that my fellow tourists' first experience here would not be as meaningful as if they were touring solo.  Yet, despite this and all our irreverent commentary, my fellow tourists found the tour to be impacting and frightening.  Here are just a few excerpts of our conversation:

• "Damn, this is insane."
• "Ew, that's awful... this guy... no wonder the guy went nuts." (referring to mirror)
• "Wow... all these voices... tell them to stop :-("
• "What [this sim] cannot convey is the *absolute conviction* you feel when the voices speak, that THEY are correct."
• "Wow... That was the craziest shyt [sic] I've ever done in Second Life."
• "That was fun.  Can we do it again?"

That last quote is not meant to be frivolous.  You see, what terrifies me about this sim is that I can choose to experience this, and that at any time I can stop the experience.  The schizophrenic cannot.  For the schizophrenic, this is reality.

Going through a simulation like this provides us with the opportunity to broaden our real world perspectives, to bridge the gap between our 'normal' world and this alien world of madness.  This is of great importance, for if enough of us can gain even this slightest shred of understanding of what the experience of the mentally ill 'may be' like, even if it's just an approximation of that reality, then society can be constructively impacted, for western society not only misunderstands the mentally ill, it also marginalizes and abuses them.

This has been the case in western society for millennia, and it is still the case today.  We may no longer burn them at the stake or publicly humiliate them in the town square, but the mentally ill, and their counterintuitive experiences, are so alien to us that we, as a society, ignore the horrors they go through, force our own perspective upon them, then leave them to cope with their terror all alone.

I do not mean to devalue the work of individuals such as Dr. Yellowlees, his colleagues, and the countless number of medical and legal professionals who advocate for the mentally ill.  Nor is my intent to alienate all the organizations and individuals who actively work to protect, care for, and advance the rights of the mentally ill.  However, despite all this valuable work, I feel the general population still has a distorted view of the mentally ill that stems from fear and ignorance.

In a post-tour note Travieso Sella expressed similar views:

"We can also see the vastness of the gap between the suffering individual and other people, the difficulty one may find in attempting to function in society with such an illness as well as the lack of understanding others may have for them, or their condition. Mental illness and what we call mental disorders are still something of a mystery to people I believe."

"I think [this sim] can reveal to people why those who are schizophrenic may not be required to endure the same kind of punishments, for certain crimes, which other are. Some people are in a state of mind dominated by certain urges, and voices fueling these urges. And therefore they have to struggle in ways that others don’t. So naturally they should, and usually are (at least in my country,) subject to special legal treatment and rehabilitation involving the respective crimes."

I hope more and more people take advantage of this sim.  Check it out for yourself, and share the location with others.  However, heed the warning I quoted at the beginning of this entry, and read all the information and instructions available before entering the facility.

Sincerely,

Pluton Karas

PS:

Directly teleport to Virtual Hallucinations by clicking here

Read more about the sim at the official UC Davis website

Read the "New Wold Notes" original commentary on the sim from 2004

T-Shirt Expressions

Hey all.  Check out these t-shirts.

The model is Walk Sideshow.  He was cool and humored me for a few minutes, but refused to be photographed shirtless. Oh well.

To me the shirts initially express irony but, like the Necker Cube, suddenly their 'intent' shifts and they seem to genuinely express ignorance.  What do you think?

If you want the t-shirts send me a notecard in-world.  I'll get them to you as soon as I can.

If you want the t-shirts in real life, go here.

Pluton.

Willowdale Mathematics Library

Hello everyone. Pluton here. Yesterday one of my readers visited the town of Willowdale, but was unable to locate the mathematics library I featured in my blog (entirely my fault; see below). In order to help I am posting some directions.


Let me begin by saying there is probably an easier way to assist anyone interested in getting to the museum. If this is so, please comment and help me learn.


In addition, I need to apologize to all my readers, for the name of the town is Willowdale; Old Willowdale is the region. I have edited the original entry in order to rectify my error. Thanks go out to Veritas Raymaker whose comment on the difficulty he had finding the museum led to this correction.


In order to get to the mathematics museum follow these directions. Use Second Life's Search window to locate "Willowdale", not "Old Willowdale". If you search for the latter and teleport you will be in Willowdale, but this particular location is not the best to set off from.


After you find "Willowdale" follow the teleport link. This will transport you directly in front of the Willodwale Community Center; it is the building I am standing in front of in the photograph below.







The street I'm standing beside is Swan Way. The tall grey building in the background, at the end of Swan Way, is the mathematics library.


Hope this helps.


One more thing. The members of Willowdale would like to keep it as realistic as possible, so avoid flying to get around. Thanks.


Sincerely,
Pluton Karas