I had another read on the characters: Dwight’s avatar showed that Dwight the character is exactly who, where, and what he wants to be in life. Or, rather, he was — he’s miserable since he lost Angela.

Jim’s introducing his avatar also introduced the idea that Jim is rather sad, disillusioned, and downright pitiable — which was quite a twist, because in previous seasons he was the coolest guy in the office. This theme was explored more fully in a subsequent episode (which, alas, had nothing to do with SL).

I hope they pick up the SL storyline later in the seasn.

And don’t worry if they think your article is unoriginal. It is so very hard in this day and age to be the first of anything on the internet, but not being first does not mean unoriginal. Two people who are not in contact with each other can have the same idea, and both consider themselves original. Learning you are not the first to have the idea does not make you not imaginative or unoriginal. Its impossible to plaigiarize an idea, because there are so few ideas these days that haven’t been thought of before many times. What distinguishes you from 99.999% of those who have is that you wrote about it to communicate your idea, and what was unique about it.

Let the rest of them sit passively on their couches. I prefer the attitude of Montrose in re taking action and initiative, and kudos to you for doing so too.

Fromescu, I just re-read your response and I realized what you were saying and then I re-read my response and realized I forgot a few things.

Take two:

I knew about the Office episode because of blogs like the Second Life Insider and my in-laws also are Office fans. At the same time, who didn’t report on the story before hand?

I wrote this article after watching the episode online because I was impressed by the story device of using how the avatars were created to advance both characters and not just Dwight. I Googled “The Office second life” after your comment to see how bloated the blogosphere was with commentary after the fact, and while I did see a few articles, (I read a few of them after you mentioned it) I didn’t see one addressing my point about Jim and Dwight, and not just Dwight.

@ Maria

/me waves her hands “its an illusion, it really says couch” *watches as Pixeleen hits the typesetter to change the title.

Maria.

So yes its not a total surprise, but the interesting thing is Jim and Dwight, not just Dwight.

Unlike the SF argument however, this one can end.

The Augmentists claim that SL should be a reflection of one’s Real self. Very well then. Such people should have to give proof of their RL ability to fly, teleport, and fall several hundred meters without injury before being allowed those same abilities in SL. Otherwise, they have to walk or ride a vehicle everywhere in Second Life (may the virtual gods have mercy upon you all.)