Kremlinden Lab vs. Academic Freedom: interview with Durkheim Edelbrock
by Alphaville Herald on 29/01/05 at 5:07 pm
Sociology Undergrad Durkheim Edelbrock
Universities and the academic profession have established policies covering the ethics of academic research. So why have the Linens established themselves as arbiters of ethical research above and beyond these policies? Good question. It might be to hide unsavory aspects of Second Life, or it might be simple pandering to SL Forum Ho’s, but either way it amounts to a dictatorial intrusion into academic freedom by people with no obvious training in research ethics. This came to a head recently when the research project of U of Chicago undergrad Durkheim Edelbrock (“The Red Pixel District”) was put on hold until it could be approved by Czar Philip and Kremlinden Lab. Can you say “chilling effect?” Well, now you can.
Durkheim chilling in the Bedford Simulator
You: The subject of your research is the virtual sex trade in SL?
Durkheim Edelbrock: More like the adult industry in SL
Durkheim Edelbrock: My tentative project title is “The Red Pixel District”
You: hahah
You: what kind of people did you plan on interviewing?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Well, so far I’ve talked to a number of people in a variety of club roles. An owner, a security guard, a dancer, and an escort, to name some.
You: tabloid publisher? lol
Durkheim Edelbrock: You can see there are number of different roles that are intertwined with the industry
You: So lemme see if I understand the situation, You are a grad student?
Durkheim Edelbrock: I’m an undergrad, 3rd year
You: in sociology?
Durkheim Edelbrock: yes
You: what school?
Durkheim Edelbrock: University of Chicago
You: is this research part of a thesis project?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Not presently. Virtual worlds have always been a very strong side interest for me, and this project is a 10-week process in a class I’m taking on qualitative field methods
Durkheim Edelbrock: However, it’s not part of my thesis
Durkheim Edelbrock: That will likely be on experimental education in Japan, incorporating my other major
You: so what do your colleagues say about the idea of doing research inside a game. Do they think it is bogus?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Actually, quite the opposite
Durkheim Edelbrock: This project, as I mentioned, is being undertaken in a 10-week workshop on field studies
Durkheim Edelbrock: The response I’ve recieved has been tremendously positive. This is such an uncharted area that many people are fascinated by it.
You: what sort of issues arise with field studies and data collection (and analysis of data) from inside a MMORPG that are different from r/l studies.
Durkheim Edelbrock: Well, I unfortunately can’t speak on data collection, because again, what I’m doing is primarily qualitative, based on observation and interviewing.
You: ok how do r/l and vr qualitative studies differ
Durkheim Edelbrock: I think one of the largest differences is that the barriers to entry are much lower in VR.
You: true…
Durkheim Edelbrock: Issues such as race and gender are essentially irrelevant here — or, at least, even if they are, you can change your avi and instantly fit in. I’ve met very few people who’ve done this in RL with much success
You: did your research project have to be approved by an ethics committee at the U of Chicago?
Durkheim Edelbrock: to answer your question, any study of this kind does not need to go through an ethics board as long as it’s not submitted for publication.
Durkheim Edelbrock: i believe the rationale is that the project is considered under the professor’s jurisdiction, and so long as it gains his/her approval, it’s fine for classroom use
You: but now the Lindens enter the equation
Durkheim Edelbrock: Yes, indeed they do.
You: And what are they saying about this?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Well, let me give you a little background first
You: sure
Durkheim Edelbrock: They first found out about the project because I posted a message about it in the forms, stating my intent and mentioning that I was looking for interview subjects.
Durkheim Edelbrock: If they didn’t see this thread, I doubt they would have found out about it.
Durkheim Edelbrock: But, lo and behold, I received an email from Robin Linden on Saturday, saying that LL had a policy that all researchers had to follow
Durkheim Edelbrock: Additionally, she told me that any research project needed approval, following the researcher’s signing a consent form to the policies they outlined
You: approval from the Lindens?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Yes
Durkheim Edelbrock: I spoke with Robin on the phone this afternoon, in fact.
You: and what were they conditions on their consent form?
Durkheim Edelbrock: I’d be happy to send you a copy
You: sure, but what are the highlights?
Durkheim Edelbrock: I might have misspoken though — it’s less of a consent form and more of a recognition that you have read and agree to their policies.
You: right, but is there anything you can’t agree too?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Here’s the gist of it, coming from Robin’s email
Durkheim Edelbrock: “If you’d like to conduct research on our forums or in SL, you’ll need to send me a proposal, and have it agreed to. You’ll also need to sign an agreement that says you’re aware of the policy and that your University ethics committee has reviewed it”
You: ic, so they are insisting that undergrad research projects have to go to university ethics committees?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Well, I’m not sure if they were aware that it’s an undergraduate project when they sent me the email. I subsequently explained my situation to them, and they seemed understanding.
You: so they will let you continue?
Durkheim Edelbrock: To be honest, it seems like the whole process is handled rather autocratically: if Phillip says yes, the project lives. If Phillip says no, the project dies.
You: so did King Philip give you thumbs up?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Robin indicated as much to me. She at first mentioned that she “was waiting to hear from a few people,” but by the end turned into, “I’m waiting to hear from our CEO”
You: hahaha
Durkheim Edelbrock: King Phillip’s Royal Jury has so far been out. [since the interview, Philip has approved the project. –Uri]
You: yes, and we know what an expert Philip is on research methodology ethics.
Durkheim Edelbrock: I hear he did a dissertation on it on the side when he was at Real.
You: But now there is some buzz about this on the forums, no?
Durkheim Edelbrock: That’s what it looks like.
Durkheim Edelbrock: The biggest issue, it seems to me, is whether researchers should have to be out in the open at all times
Durkheim Edelbrock: And unambiguous in regards to their intent
Durkheim Edelbrock: The problem is, there’s no real world equivalent to this
Durkheim Edelbrock: This seems like a research policy written by the Chinese government.
You: that is, if you’re studying the child sex trade in RL you wouldn’t be required to wear a sign over your head saying “sociologist”
Durkheim Edelbrock: Exactly. Some of the most illuminating ethnographic studies have been undertaken with a deliberate cover.
Durkheim Edelbrock: Knowledge of being studied can alter the situation so much that what a researcher discovers may only be an ersatz version of the normal state of things
You: Well, how do you respond to SLers that say “we pay to play and have fun here and not be studied like frogs on a dissecting table”.
Durkheim Edelbrock: I’d say that they might be one of those frogs in RL and never know it.
Durkheim Edelbrock: There’s no law, whether in RL or (hopefully) in SL, that expressly forbids observation except under consent
You: well, it is their game, their world, why can’t they set whatever rules they want, even if it is no academics period
Durkheim Edelbrock: Well, I think I have two responses to that.
Durkheim Edelbrock: First of all, it would be almost impossible to draw the line short of an outright ban on any sort of out-of-game commentary, journalism, or reporting.
Durkheim Edelbrock: And second, even if you did issue such a ban, you can bet it would go on anyway.
Durkheim Edelbrock: It seems extremely problematic to make systematic restrictions on someone observing and expressing their views on a world, virtual or otherwise.
You: Do you think their policy amounts to a kind of attempt to hide what is happening in the game?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Well, I think frankly that LL is perpetually weighing how free and open they want SL to be.
Durkheim Edelbrock: I don’t think they’re deliberately trying to “hide” anything, but I do think they’re concerned about residents expressing dissatisfaction about being “lab rats.”
You: Whatever the motive, would you say that their actions represent a kind of attack on academic freedom?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Well, it’s difficult to say at this point. Part of the problem is that LL has been as yet unclear about exactly what is and is not acceptable to them. I think, in fact, that I might be the first person whose study has been halted pending approval.
You: alright, anything else we should cover?
Durkheim Edelbrock: Well, I should probably add that I think the Lindens are particularly concerned about issues of consent
Durkheim Edelbrock: The thing is, a lot of opinion related to the community is shaped by the forums — a place where anyone can post and comment and produce potentially scarring remarks
Durkheim Edelbrock: It’s hard to think of a real life environment with the same significance — it’s much closer to the Greek agora than to anything we have in modern day society.
Durkheim Edelbrock: So, while the forums can be of tremendous use and value in connecting the community, they can (and often are) turned into battleground where defamation runs rampant
You: tell me about it.
Durkheim Edelbrock: Exactly — and while I think it has an important role to play, it can also be abused
Durkheim Edelbrock: So, this all ties into research, because one could so easily interview someone in confidence and post their remarks in full text on the forums.
You: do you think the forums are being abused in your case now?
Durkheim Edelbrock: No, but the thing is, while what I’m doing is real, someone posing as a researcher could learn facts in confidence and exploit them for whatever reason suited them.
You: true
You: they could post them in the Herald!
You: But they would be banned for that.
Durkheim Edelbrock: It takes time for bans to be issued, though — and word travels fast nonetheless
Durkheim Edelbrock: So, in a sense, while I can see the potential for the Lindens going overboard with security, I think a measure of it might be helpful
Durkheim Edelbrock: Robin told me they’re considering creating a group entitled “Researchers” for approved projects. It goes back to the sign-over-the-head sociologist, but at the same time, it might help establish trust.
You: possible
blaze
Jan 29th, 2005
Well he shouldn’t have posted on the forums if he wanted to go undercover.
Seems kinda obvious!
urizenus
Jan 30th, 2005
who said he wanted to go under cover. Maybe he wanted to be up front with the community and left alone by the game company.
Tony Walsh
Jan 30th, 2005
I wonder if we’re expecting too much from a corporate body? To play Devil’s Advocate– why should a corporation be expected to regulate its community in the same way as the democratically-elected government of a free country? Do Second life residents even have a constitution that spells out their rights and freedoms? (seriously– do they? i don’t know).
urizenus
Jan 30th, 2005
There is no SL constitution, but documents outlining the rights of avatars exist. Should we expect a corporation to regulate its community in the same way as a democratically elected government? Absolutely.
SL can’t have it both ways. Either they want to provide just another game, or they want to build a platform where people will conduct business and social relations in the future. If the aim is the latter, then they need to show some grasp of principles like academic freedom, freedom of the press, due process for those charged with crimes etc. A constitution (or at least one that adds a bill of rights) ensures that elected governments respect these principles. But we want more than that. We want our rulers, whoever they may be, to respect those principles as well. Put another way, those are not merely principles for 19th and 20th century nation states, they are principles that should survive governments and which we should respect *all* off our rulers (whether elected, corporate, or divinely appointed) to respect.
Tony Walsh
Jan 31st, 2005
I see your point. Particularly since Phillip Linden just went on the record saying “We are not in the game business. We are in the digital world business.” I can’t really conceive of how difficult it would be to operate a world. But as far as governance goes, there are a lot of real-world examples to take inspiration from. A constitution of some sort may be necessary sooner than later. I think the main challenge is how to justify such a move within the context of a “business plan.” There’s definitely a lot of PR potential in coming up with a constitution/bill of rights for digital world citizens. I’m not sure I’m ready for virtual lawyers just yet, though.
Miravoir
Jan 31st, 2005
If what Uri suggested came to pass in SL, a truly democratic gaming system, it would be yet another milestone that Second Life crossed. I would love to see Second Life with courts and jury by peers, etc. We model our economy on the United States; why not the government? That would be very interesting.
Tony Walsh
Jan 31st, 2005
I’m not sure international residents would be very supportive of an American-style government, but that’s probably a whole other discussion.
urizenus
Jan 31st, 2005
Agree, we wouldn’t want to model a virtual government on an American-style government. It would be much better to have a virtual government that respects freedom and justice.
An Enthusiastic Herald Reader
Jan 31st, 2005
Hmm….seems folks are living their second lives in interesting times! Phillip Linden has a point: SL is not a game, it’s a digitised world. Every world needs an economy and rules to govern it. But the rules shouldn’t be draconic, or nobody would want a second life in the first place. But this research seems to bring up a number of issues and I applaud the Herald for letting us see and face them. And the idea of a ‘universal’ government is a good one, because since we live in a real world filled with various cultures we can’t pin down all members of SL into an Americanised world. Freedom of expression, but expressing it in a way that doesn’t destroy the fun for others. I’m eager to see how Second Life will evolve to cope with this.
(and yeah, virtual courts would be pretty smart! Lawyers earn tons of cash in RL so it seems a good legitimate way to earn a decent L$ or two….)
Godfather John Gotti
Jan 31st, 2005
lmao jc soprano that 3 million i owe ya, still livin in the past, tso gay and i’m glad i left it, also u said i didn’t have to pay it back. remmeber that. i’m glad this is the only place i could talk to you braah. Pedro montanas a better boss than u ever were yo
JC Soprano
Feb 1st, 2005
What the fuck does that have to do with this post. Quit being a board whore and move on. As for Pedro, lolol Anyway…
JC Soprano
http://www.thesimmafia.com
Insert Witty Comment Here, Not Worth My Time
Neil Claxton
Feb 18th, 2007
It is a huge social experiment. Personally SL is a research project for me too, i don’t have any institutions supporting me, but every day i go out and see what in the world inspires me. Maybe it’s the scripting or maybe it’s the subversive groups moving into SL.
I can see why they’d want to know and approve people making a study of SL a part of their career. They can’t stop you from disclosing what you find good or bad if you do it in a system they don’t own.
Is it a surprise that sex is the big business on SL I was surprised that there isn’t any teledildonics integration yet. The sex industry in SL is not too different from RL maybe the bitches choose to be bitches in SL, but all the bad things are here. There are clubs that make dancers spend money to host contests that the club should pay for, surely there are underage people in the grid wether forced or because they’re horny kids, there’s all the bad things from RL because people don’t drop all that baggage when they come to SL.
The BIG difference in SL is there’s no pimp to beat you up for not going to work your corner. The ineffectiveness of physical violence should make things like robbery and rape practically impossible in SL, violence and abuse are why the sex trade is bad IRL, not because someone finds it to be immoral or whatever.
Wayfinder Wishbringer
Feb 18th, 2007
Since I haven’t seen the document given to this researcher, I don’t know whether it is an attempt at censure or simply a suggested guideline to follow. But the claim that Philip has and exercises the authority to allow or deny a research project does carry heavy overtones of censorship. To be honest, this comes as a bit of a surprise to me, because one thing I’ve always given Philip (and LL in general) credit for is his thick skin and policy of allowing people to say just about anything they feel like saying in regard to LL and SL. It’s one of their good points. I have used that freedom even to the degree of exposing some things LL might rather have not been exposed– but never once have I been censored for such. Argued with and lied to– but never censored.
I’d have to think that those who have been banned for posts either caught LL on a bad day– or the poster had no clue as to where to draw the line.
Linden Lab claims to encourage total freedom of expression. To have something that is blatantly contrary to such concept, namely, attempted restriction of research and publication, would be, well, very interesting to say the least.
Freedom of Speech is one of the greatest principles on which the Constitution of the United States is built. Any attempt whatsoever at restriction of valid research is a direct attack upon that principle. It strikes me as somewhat akin to saying, “We’re open and tolerant and encourage you to express yourself– its YOUR world!” but then applying the handcuffs to someone who might uncover and expose an unsavory side to the system.
I don’t comment at all as to whether SL is a good/bad board, moral or otherwise. The subject of the research isn’t even the question here. What’s at question is any attempt by the Linden Lab corporation to stifle such research in any form whatsoever. The ethical considerations in just the concept are considerable.
Mind you, their desire to protect their board and their customers is understandable (what exactly would they be protecting their customers from?). But since they have a tendency to protect their customers from very little otherwise (and in fact the SL TOS officially absolves them of being responsible for such protection), the question of dual standard comes immediately to mind.
So I’d have to say the jury isn’t in on this one. But if there is even a bit of truth to these charges, policy changes would seem recommendable. One cannot have double standards regarding freedom of speech. Either LL approaches SL as a totally free and unfettered environment, or they apply their rules of ethics and morality board-wide (as is their right should they so choose)– and apply it to everyone, equally.
Rebecca
Dec 6th, 2007
Where can I find a copy of LL’s policy on doing academic research in SL? Given that they want us to follow this policy, it is frustrating that it is not easy to find on their website anywhere. In the knowledge base all I can find is a single entry saying that it is o.k. to give surveys to other residents. No additional policy is mentioned.
Jessica Holyoke
Dec 6th, 2007
I believe that they did away with this policy some time ago, possibly in the first quarter of 07.