CNN iReport

Entering into Second Life is an experience for which many are not prepared. While Second Life is frequently referred to as a game, it lacks the rules traditionally associated with games, there are no goals and there are no scores.  There is no getting away from the fact that behind each avatar is a living, breathing human being, with all his or her complexities. For those struggling with some of the feelings and problems that can accompany being a citizen of Second Life a new group is being formed, "Real Life Second Life Confusion".

The person in charge of this project is Dutch psychologist hannes Breda (sl name) who has been working in the field for 34 years. His research involves the influence of technology on everyday life as well as what technology can offer to people who don't like computers but need IT. He has acted as an advisor in the Netherlands as well as the European Community. The idea for creating this group came after Breda had a conversation with an sl friend who had been wondering whether or not to bring a Second Life relationship into Real Life, questioning if it would be beneficial to do so or end up destroying the sl relationship if the two individuals were not compatible. This type of quandary is not uncommon. After being in sl for a while questions relating to how sl impacts rl and how much of a person's sl life can or should be brought into his or her sl life often arise. Breda sums up life in sl by saying that Second Life "is not virtual at all, only the technology is virtual."

The Real Life Second Life Confusion group is in its early days yet. At the moment people are being invited to join the group, no meetings have yet been held. A large sim spanning three regions is being constructed and is almost completed. Soon a welcoming meeting, like an open house, will be held and a couple of weeks after this the first meeting to discuss rl -sl confusion will take place. The problems discussed at the meetings will be decided upon by the members of the group.  The first proposed topic has been suggested by someone who is spending so much time in sl that she is not getting out enough in rl and she feels her health is suffering.  However, Breda has stressed that these meetings are not counselling or therapy; they are "an opportunity to get things off your chest with some people around who have some experience in the field ... we don't promise solutions, we promise to help people to find solutions!".

Eventually Breda plans on using the knowledge he gains in sl to form hypotheses for his rl university research, which he will do with colleagues from other universities. He mentioned the fact that large groups of (young) people, now on My Space and such, are expected to be entering into virtual communities in the near future.  The understanding gained from groups such as Real Life Second Life Confusion will help newcomers as well as those already residing in Second Life to meet the challenges of having a second life and have fun instead of being confused.

To join the Real Life Second Life Confusion group IM hannes Breda. He would also welcome any anecdotes or descriptions of experiences members of Second Life wish to offer (anonymously if desired) for discussion in his group.