Stories from Second Life

Avatar Movie Role-Play In SL

JaneyBracken — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:54:59 GMT

The biggest film of the year, Avatar, can be played out in Second Life. I had seen people with avatars similar to the Na’vi people in the film, recognizable by their slim tall shapes and blue skins, in different parts of the SL grid. Looking through the ‘search’ menu I found a sim called Pandora, which is dedicated to the role-play of the Avatar movie.

I went over to Pandora as a visitor, which you can do as long as you abide by the rules and don’t interfere with the role-play taking part within the sim. I could see straight away that this is drawing a lot of people, some of whom had already donned the character outfits, the Na’vi people seemed the most popular castings for the roles as there were many blue skinned avatars around dressed as hunters and warriors.

You are teleported at first into a giant spaceship where you pick up the rules of the game and a list of characters to choose from. I joined the group and wore my tag as a visitor to say I was out of combat mode. From the spaceship I teleported into a shopping area where there is an abundance of Avatar stuff for sale, I would imagine Avatar fans would just love this, as you can buy all the Avatar skins to wear and everything that you would need to take part. Dodging through many blue bodies, I made my way to the teleport area that would take me down to the forest where all the action seemed to be taking place.

The forest was a very pretty place with tropical trees and plants and unusual birds taking to the air. I soon came upon a group of Na’vi people who were in role-play, talking to a human who seemed to be some sort of threat, keeping well out of the way I observed what was going on and they all played their parts very well as they questioned the human as to his presence in the forest. I spoke to one of the lady Na’vi’s, whose name was BobCat Andel, in private message (IM), and asked if she had been doing this role play for long, and she said that it was her first day, she was very impressive and looked the part as well. BobCat went off to join the others and it was announced over group text that they were under attack and I could see lots of action taking place further ahead. I decided to stay where I was on the path, well back from the others, but to no avail, a giant robot came charging along past my location firing bullets everywhere. When I looked back at my avatar to move off I noticed that I was invisible, I guess I had been hit by one of the bullets although I wasn’t in an active role. There was so much excitement going on I doubt whether the role-playing robot would have noticed that I was in a none-combat mode. It looked like all the players were having great fun.

The Avatar film seems to have captured everyone’s imagination and anyone wanting to take part virtually could do no better than visiting the ‘Pandora – Navi ‘ Planet Avatar’ sim, whose owner and founder of the group is Sullivan Infinity. It is free to join and all you have to do is dress the part and use your imagination to interact with the other players. As for me, I’m hiding behind a tree next time in case that robot comes my way again!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pegase/174/144/3948

Boops

TAPszinhaz — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:53:43 GMT

boops

New political offense: Who is it Oswald J. Milton?

GaryHalfton — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:28:43 GMT

International reconnaissances are cooperation!!

Blow-up will begin in the white-house. About for two weeks, they found an extremely confidential (Top secret) document in the USA. One of special group of the internal press traced the affair out. They’re hacking the „department of internal affairs” computer. An American and Russian researchers, group consisting of scientists , refuted the „global climate” program. Horrible and glowering affair will be this. The Spokespersons of the secret services (fema, fbi,cia, sri…) were present on conference closed from before the select and the public. Complete news-ban (cnn, abc, foxnews, skynews, reuters…) is operative. The press is snooping, bores and prods the politicians and the USA senators. These are separations of a m.o.p.a . an course of action. Complete international against capitalism complicated and very trouble offense is begining. "Many are in the case in it". The m.o.p.a. goverment contract is already old-time and risky.„The jerry will spill”. Predictions of the Nostradamus, the inbuilt is the moneyed interests (capitalist) and their underworld privies are carrying it out. This was in the (top secret) records in it. They used the soothsayer up , as a warm blanket as puppet-figure. He only is a marionette. Media is also helping in project of a „black velvet” manipulations. This is the indisturbance of common knowledge „Special effects”. Oswald J. Milton (alias: OJM >cso?< „Capitalism System Organizer” is a (Boolean) keystone, or play this part. Does anyone know something about this? Via part of a internal press „found or hacked” to the facts and figures. News is extending and it is spreading in world .The volume number of „946951” masked files. 2012 insinuations and “salt water training.” The Maya association are also pretext and practices this very moment. This will be an global disaster formules.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/25317108/About-946951-Hiding-Specific-and-Unauthorized-Files

Interrupting in the m.o.p.a.„political bullets:” It was an representative seeked info.

http://209.85.129.132/search?q =cache%3AOlEqOq3DGbwJ%3Awww.fi xthefec.org%2Ffiles%2Fcomplain ts%2FNYT-Giuliani.pdf+mopa%2Bp olitic&hl=hu&gl=hu

Check it out!!!

SL Couple To Wed In Real Life

JaneyBracken — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:26:10 GMT

Nina Allam and Sean Barbary’s story had been read all around the world when CNN Producer Henry Hanks wrote a feature on virtual Romance in 2008. Many people meet and have relationships in Second Life and other virtual worlds, and whilst many romances fail, some are the beginnings of real life partnerships. This is an update on Nina (avatar Brie Janick) and Sean’s (avatar Seany1235 Blinker) story.

I’d heard some upsetting news last year, one of the nicest and happiest couples in SL had split up and it looked like it was final. I had been following Brie Janick and Seany1235 Blinker’s romance from my first meeting with them in Virtual London nearly two years ago. They had met and fallen in love and married in SL and they just seemed so right together, so it came as a shock to a lot of us that they had parted. I didn’t want to say much to either of them about what had happened, but I secretly hoped that they would get back together, and get back together they did! Their friends were delighted and New Year’s night there was even more wonderful news, Brie and Seany announced that they are to be married in real life. Brie was staying at Seany’s real home over the holidays when Seany popped the question. I asked them all about their engagement and their very special Second Life/Real Life love story.

I wanted to know about the proposal, Seany said “I proposed to Brie, we both sat drinking a bottle of wine watching Big Ben and the fireworks. I was nervous and anxious. When Big Ben chimed midnight I got down on one knee and asked Brie to marry me. I was crying she was crying, was very emotional.” Brie agreed, saying “I was happily watching the tv we did the countdown together, then I saw him move and get down on one knee, my heart stopped, I was thinking omg what’s he doing, then he asked me to marry him. And I was half crying half trying to talk. After we sealed the deal with chocolate cheesecake, what girl could refuse that!”

Had Brie any idea that Seany was going to propose? She said “I had no idea, was a complete shock.” Seany added “I had it planned before hand as I knew Brie was coming down to spend New Year's with me. I had been thinking about it for a while but waiting for the right moment.”

Since they had already married in SL I wanted to know if a real wedding had always been in their thoughts, they told me “When we both first joined SL we said from day one this will never be real life. Looking back seems so long ago. Over time we knew we loved the person who was behind the avatar. We decided ok this is serious.” Brie said “He was the first person I thought of when I woke up and the last person I spoke to before I went to bed. I knew after a few weeks this guy is the man for me.” Seany told me “Marriage wasn’t anything we thought of to be honest, we knew we loved each other and wanted to be together forever. So I thought ok I love this woman and I want to be with her for the rest of my life.”

I asked if being married in SL meant the same commitments as real life, Seany answered “The way I look at it, it doesn’t matter because I know the real Brie and that’s the person I see when I see her avatar. I am committed to her in SL and real life.” Brie continued “Yes the day we married on SL those vows I said felt real. I didn’t see Seany the avatar I saw the real life Seany.”

Asking them about the time they parted for a little while, I wanted to know how it felt to get back together again, they told me “We both went through a difficult time in our real lives and decided it was best to sort those out, but to be honest, we never were apart . We were always together in SL, always on the phone, but finally saying ok, I can’t be without u in my life, scared us and we will never be apart again.” I asked them if they thought the stresses of SL might have contributed to their parting, as they both work in Virtual London, Brie as a Director and Seany as a Manager. They said “Yes SL is very stressful more than real life at times. With the jobs we have, sometimes the pressure is a lot. But we make sure that we have ‘us time’ everyday. In the beginning it was hard to separate the 2 but over time we have learned to say no it’s our time now.”

Getting back to that very important topic, the wedding, I wanted to know if they had set a date and what sort of wedding it would be. Brie said “Well we can’t have a church wedding because we are diff(erent) religions so location would be something we will sit and talk about. If Seany had his way we would have it in a kebab shop with kebabs for everyone to eat, but I’ll put my foot down for that. The date we will be setting soon, Seany will be down here with me in Feb for a week and we will decide then.”

I asked them if they would be renewing their vows in SL, Brie said “On our 2nd anniversary on April 6th we will be renewing our vows. In the Kensington building as it’s my fav London building and designed by our dear friend TD (TD Reinard).” Brie said that they will also celebrate their real life engagement at the same time.

And what about the future when they are married in real life and have to log on to SL in the same home. Brie told me “Seanys just said u ain’t touching my pc tut tut he needs obedience school before the wedding I think lol. Yes we will be on SL, still on as it is a big part of our lives. He can just be in another room hahaha so I can’t nag him what u doing, where are u, rofl.”

I went over to Brie and Seany’s virtual home to take some photos, and just as I suspected, it is beautiful and exquisitely decorated. Brie has her own gallery where she displays her SL photographs and she is a very gifted photographer. I wanted to know if they had similar tastes in décor and who chooses the colours and furniture. Brie said “I do it all, he just nods and agrees and says that’s nice dear. I’m always changing things in the house ..his response is always ‘will I come online and find a new house?’ as I change them like shoes. He says my inventory is where old houses go to die lol. In real life we have very similar tastes. I decorate and he agrees sshhh I didn’t say that lol.”

I asked them if they wanted to add anything, Brie said “Looking back from when we first started lol, especially our avatars ...what was we thinking lol, Seany’s first look was punk rocker . I think over the last years we have grown as people and as a couple. We don’t see the avatars we see each of the people there.” She added “I see Seany’s face when I look at him, strange. He’s my angel and my soul mate. I never thought I’d find true love again, but I say it found me lol. But what’s been amazing is that we have made some friendships for life and people have followed us really over the 2 years and supported us, for that we are truly thankful.”

Seany said “Meeting Brie in Second Life was the best thing in my life, getting to know her I found she was a warm hearted and caring person and it was not long before I found myself falling in love with her in real life, so when she said she felt the same I was so happy. Nearly 2 years on I thought it was time to pop the question and New Year’s Eve seemed a perfect time to do it, she said yes and I was so happy, I cried, I love Brie with all my heart and always will, she is my soul mate.”

Congratulations to Brie and Seany on their real life engagement, it was the most enchanting news ever to hear of their wedding plans as we celebrated the New Year, I wish them every happiness for the future.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/12/second.life.relationship.irpt/index.html

Celebrating Burns Night in Second Life

EdFollet — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:28:59 GMT

The 25th day of January belongs to Robbie Burns, poet and author of some of Scotland's finest verse, the best known probably being ‘Auld Lang Syne’, The anniversary of his birth in 1759 is remembered with Burns Night celebrations around the world, in effect a second Scottish national day that is more widely observed than the official Saint Andrew's Day.

A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns which may be formal or informal, the common factors being haggis, scotch whiskey and a poem or two.

The highlight of the real life formal dinner is the entrance of the main course. The haggis is brought in by the cook on a large dish, while a piper plays bagpipes and leads the way to the host's table. The Burns poem ‘Address to a haggis’ is recited and the host cuts open the haggis for serving before proposing a toast to it.

The Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish containing sheep's heart, liver and lungs, minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and wrapped in the animal's stomach. It is cooked for about three hours.

In second life there are both formal and informal celebrations being held, some with the full haggis ceremony and others just readings of Burns poems. Scottish and Irish themed regions holding events include the followimg and are worth visiting at any time:

Scottish Highlands (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Inverness%20City/54/130/22),

Eilen Dornan Castle (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eilean%20Donan/99/28/28),

West of Ireland (http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/94/113/25)

On hold for Haiti

VickieMaid — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:29:47 GMT

From the Ireport Hub in Second Life, here's Vickie Maidstone

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Due to the recent earthquake in Haiti a few days ago, all my upcoming Ireports will be put on hold until that situation is clearly under control and that help is on the way to them. Certainly this is a heart breaking story, and *Tears* it would be too much to try to Ireport from SL. So for now for the next few days or weeks, lets focus on relief efforts now under way for Haiti.

there are a number of inworld events being held to try to raise funds or to get clothing, bedding, food and water. Medical supplies, anything that can help to the people of Haiti. I'm Vickie Maidstone reporting

Religious and Non- Religious SL

JaneyBracken — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:56 GMT

I recently wrote about a real Christian church service being held in Virtual London (http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-377853) and received a couple of comments from people who did not believe in religion at all. I set out to see what is covered in SL, for either religious or non-religious organisations. I found that there are many groups to choose from. Most religions are well represented in Second life, including Islam, Christian, Catholic, Hindu and Buddhism. The religious groups appear to want to spread their word virtually, linking their sites back to their teachings and even giving lessons and having discussions in-world. You can find many beautiful buildings for prayers and meditation. The Muslim Mosques and Hindu Temples are painstakingly crafted and include prayer areas that people can use, just like inside the real buildings. You are asked to comply with the dress codes too before you enter the mosques and temples, removing your shoes and making sure that you are modestly dressed, as you would in real life out of respect. There are usually samples of free clothing and headscarves that you can obtain at the sims before you set foot inside the hallowed virtual places of prayer.

Atheism too is represented in SL, there is the Atheism Centre where you can obtain links to a good deal of literature, their information says that the centre has resources for Athiests, Agnostics, Brights, Sceptics, Naturalists, Freethinkers and other like-minded individuals. The large library at the centre is well done, showing examples of books you can buy in real life, so for anyone who wishes to learn more about the Atheist way of life, this is ideal.

The Second Life Catholic Church provides Catholic mass and confession at its virtual church and you can even donate some funds, the information states ‘Net collections after payment of church operations are forwarded to the Vatican. Our church treasury records are open for review upon request.’ The Second Life Catholic Church has a website too at www.SLCatholic.com.

I you wish to follow whatever beliefs you have, SL can help to make things a little easier for you if you can’t get out and about to places in real life, or if you just want to fit a particular way of life into your virtual existence. If you use the Seach menu in SL you will find most organisations there, and if you can’t find one you like, you could always set up your own, anything is possible in a virtual environment.

Buddhism centre

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Buddhism/128/128/22

Atheist Centre

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Durango/120/11/134

Hindu Temple

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Blackfield%20Glenn%20Estates/218/70/22

St Georg - Catholic Church

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Arae/223/109/26

IslamOnline.net Virtual Hajj

http://slurl.com/secondlife/IslamOnline%20dot%20Net/77/53/26

Christian Fellowship Bible Study

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Thorncliff/102/34/3010

Virtual Murray Home Under Threat

JaneyBracken — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:24:46 GMT

There has been a demonstration going on in SL and I wonder, just like in real life, if the voice of the people will be listened to in respect of their concerns. SL is a place where the majority of virtual areas are not permanent and things are always changing, either at the whim of a person who owns a piece of simulated land, or, as in the owners of Second Life, Linden Lab’s case, the updating and enhancement of the areas that they control themselves. The tricky thing is, where people have made their home in SL, it is very similar to real life, you get attached to a particular place and a community of friends is formed who all feel the same way about it. Not forgetting too, that these friendships have been formed by very real people behind the keyboards, these are solid friendships that make up part of our real lives too, we all care about the people we get to know so well in SL.

The demonstration is about a place called Murray, an open piece of virtual land by the sea. It had an attractive number of trees and grassy areas where people could stand and chat, catch up with all their mates and have fun. It was my first home too, so I am very fond of it as well. My arrival in Murray was back in March 2007 and I still consider it as my first home and one that I could go back to at any time. There have been many avatars arriving in Murray over the years, some move on, but a large number have stayed, joining our group and coming back time and time again to what they consider is their home too. So it was with some shock that Linden Labs decided to make plans for Murray, turning it into an Info Hub (a place in SL where new people can learn all about virtual living). This has upset many people who regularly use Murray as a main part of their second lives, and I wonder if our friends at the Linden Labs will at least have a meeting with them to dispel any worries they might have.

Murray had been used as a temporary Info Hub before, but without being built on. So far some building has been started and the trees removed, already the regulars are worried that this will become just another group of ugly buildings on a deserted piece of virtual land where people will arrive and leave straight away and never return. As SL is all about communities and making new friends, Murray had a little piece of magic that made us all feel at home, we explored but we always came back, even those who went off for some time always seemed to return to catch up with their friends.

One of the Murray regulars, Tah Rubble, has written to Michael Linden to express his concerns, Tah, like many in the Murray group, does not want to see the area spoiled and says that when new people did arrived in Murray a few months back, they tended to stay in SL far longer than those who landed in other places, many people join SL and then leave within a matter of days or a few weeks, but the Murray regulars always looked after new people, giving them a good start.

Maybe a good idea would be for Linden Labs to liaise with the regulars in Murray about how they would like the new Info Hub to look, talking would be a good thing and letting the people give their opinions about their SL neighbourhood must surely be a must if people are to remain in the virtual world. Without its residents SL would not exist, so it is worth meeting them half way with any suggestions.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Murray/144/71/22

Connecting Haiti’s Missing in Virtual Worlds

DeniseGFTM — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:36:31 GMT

Connecting Haiti’s Missing in Virtual Worlds

By Ronnie Rhode

For most of us seeing images and watching videos of the tragic events following the earthquake in Haiti, the closest we come to helping Haiti find their missing is a donation. We hear about the thousands of missing people in Haiti, and pray the searchers find answers for families who need to grieve, but don’t know if they are grieving for a death or for a loved one who needs to be found.

Those in virtual worlds, however, are not limited by geography. In Second Life, an area called The Garden for the Missing http://slurl.com/secondlife/Remora/203/149/21 set up a special area where anyone concerned about a missing friend or relative may post their missing person poster, URL of a website, and even audio clips. Visitors to this virtual space may post their prayers and condolences.

“For three years, The Garden for the Missing has been dedicated to raising awareness of the tragedy of missing persons,” says Denise Harrison, founder of the project that features 200 interactive posters of missing persons in the U.S. “It made sense to provide a space where people can get word out about their missing loved ones. It is also open for anyone to come post a message to show that the world cares about the tragedy in Haiti, and about the massive amount of missing people yet to be found. Second Life is the ideal location to provide this service because of its huge international membership. People from around the world may come to leave messages of hope to those who need them.”

Harrison says there is also a sign with a link that goes to the International Red Cross webpage where people may make donations from within the virtual world. Second Life® is a 3D virtual world created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of residents from around the globe.

Eco-Spirituality Foundation

VickieMaid — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:41:58 GMT

From the Eco-Spirituality Foundation complex on theSkyBeams Tradewaters Sim, Vickie Maidstone reporting

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And hello everyone from the home of LabGraal and the Eco-Spirituality Foundation I'm Vickie Maidstone along with my guests, Sheela Nagy (Rosalba Natterro in RL) and John Titor Shan (Giancarlo Barbarado in RL), today its my pleasure to bring you a program in which back during the holidays I sent them a series of questions about the foundation, Eco-spirituality Foundation and the work on the behalf of the indigenous peoples around the world. Certainly I am amazed by what I had learned and was really surprised after viewing the movie "Shan" to which it brought out quite a bit of information that I didn't realize some of the things that were going on world wide even today, the following questions and the answers gives an over view of their work and I am pleased to bring it to you today.

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Who are the founders of Ecospirituality Foundation?

The Ecospirituality Foundation was founded by Giancarlo Barbadoro and me, along with Native Americans, Australian Aborigines, Native Africans and Native Europeans. The founders of the EF are representatives of Indigenous organizations from all around the planet.

When was it founded?

The EF was founded in 2000 during a meeting at Dreamland in Piedmont (North Italy), in which Natives from all around the world participated. Our common goal was to spread Ecospirituality around the planet, which is the philosophy that links all natural Peoples.
After many days of confrontation, dialogues, ideas and discussions, we wrote the Declaration of Ecospirituality, which expressed the philosophy at the base of Natural Peoples’ culture. It also included all common issues related to the representatives of the organizations present.
The following step was the foundation of the Ecospirituality Foundation in order to give life to the effort of spreading Ecospirituality on the planet.
This pact was sealed in the Stone Circle of Dreamland, which Giancarlo and I, along with LabGraal, built to give continuity to the Celtic culture and megalithic art.

What is it about?

The Ecospirituality Foundation is an NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations that deals with, through special committees, issues concerning Natural Peoples and their way of seeing the relation between the individual, the environment and the mystery of existence. Its objectives include the defense of the traditions and sacred places of the planet’s natives, as well as the exchange of experiences according to the principles of brotherhood and equality of all living species. The EF also dedicates attention to problems on animal rights, which we consider the weakest of all weak species.
The United Nations granted the Ecospirituality Foundation the acknowledgment of “NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations” for the work that the EF does for the defense of the traditions, sacred places and spirituality of Natural Peoples.
Representatives of native Communities from around the world, aside from the members of LabGraal, are part of the Foundation staff – Lakota, Apache, Bretons, Irish, Native Australians, Natives of Cameroon and Benin, Taino, Natives of India, Quiché of Guatemala, Natives of New Caledonia, just to mention a few.

Who are the indigenous people?

The Indigenous Peoples are native cultures that do not belong to the dominant society, which keep their tribal uses and customs well in life. From among these cultures, we support the Natural Peoples, native cultures that have not been assimilated by the great historical religions, in order to maintain their traditions, rites and sacred places.
The spirituality of Natural Peoples is in common: from Apache to Bretons, from Australian Aborigines to Native Africans, all have reference in Mother Earth and in the Mystery that it emanates.
Indigenous Peoples are more than 30% of the world populations. They are represented at the United Nations through a specific assembly, the largest of the United Nations, made up of over 3,000 delegates from all Indigenous Nations of the world.

Where are the indigenous people?

Every continent of the Earth contains Peoples that have been colonized by the great religions, through severe repression that almost led to their extinction. Many of these Peoples have been extinct, but others still survive and continue their heritage.
The same happens in Europe. Europe is also home to natives – the Native Europeans. In the past, this culture was identified through Druidism, a culture that still exists. Many Druidic communities continue to preserve their traditions, regardless of the past repressions. This also takes place in our land, Piedmont in Northern Italy, as in many other areas of Europe in which the Celtic culture and Druidic philosophy are still strong, today.

In what ways are you trying to increase awareness of the peoples?

In many ways and by numerous initiatives. I can mention a few. We participate in the United Nations Forum of Indigenous Peoples, making appeals of the Peoples that we support. We organize Conferences and Conventions on Natural Peoples, both in Italy and other countries. The music of our group, LabGraal, is dedicated to the support of the Native sacred places: the CDs of LabGraal serve as a vehicle for the culture of Natural Peoples. In fact, we collaborate with Native American, Australian and African musicians.
Always with LabGraal, we realized the film “Shan, the ancient heart of Natural Peoples", in which our music was the background for the denunciation of the violations in harm of the Natural Peoples; and in which native representatives from all around the world were able to give a voice to their realities. The film was realized in English, Italian and French; and it was presented at the United Nations of New York.
Since the film Shan produced a lot of interest on this issue, we founded the magazine Shan Magazine that deals with the problems and issues relevant to Natural Peoples.
Also, the interest created by the film Shan was at the base for the creation of ShanCommunityRadio (www.shancommunity.org), in order to give a voice to the Peoples of Mother Earth through interviews, videos, and reportage from around the world.
Giancarlo and I have written various books on the issue, such as Natural Peoples and Ecospirituality, a text that has United Nations encouragement, and written in collaboration with the Apache leader Ola Cassadore. The book has been translated into many languages and presented at conventions in Europe, USA, France and Australia.

What are the short term plans to help them, and what of the future?

Our effort is to spread the culture of Natural Peoples so that their ideas and convictions gain visibility, in a world where misinformation and stereotypes created by the dominant society make us believe that these invisible peoples do not exist anymore.
Instead, we believe that Natural Peoples may be a hope for humanity, The example of brotherhood represented by Natural Peoples is the only hope possible in a world divided by ideologies and religions always ready to start dividing wars,
All means of media can be a valid help. Giancarlo Barbadoro and I have participated in the United Nations Forums on Indigenous Peoples of New York and Geneva for 10 years, actively working to obtain the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This Declaration was approved by the United Nations in September 2007; and this moral support has already begun to show positive signs of recognition for these peoples. The EF took efforts for the Declaration to include the protection of Indigenous Peoples’ sacred places, traditions, rites and ritual objects.
The EF supports all Peoples who have their spiritual rights and sacred places violated. Our efforts are at the side with those of other native peoples; and we have appealed to the United Nations many times in regards to different cases – Mount Graham, the Apache sacred mountain; the case of the Ancestral remains of the Australian Aborigines, still located in museums across the world; the cases regarding the desecration of the Breton and Taino sacred sites; the desecration of the sacred mountain Ngog Lituba of the Bassa People of Cameroon.
Many indigenous organizations look for our assistance because EF is one of the few NGOs dedicated to the defense of a moral right, which has its reference in the spirituality of Native Peoples. We believe that the defense of a moral identity of Natural Peoples to be important for their future and for the survival of their culture.

Do you have a website?

We have many websites:

Ecospirituality Foundation:
www.eco-spirituality.org.

ShanCommunityRadio:
www.shancommunuty.org

LabGraal:
www.labgraal.org.

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Certainly one can imagine the scope of this work and can see there are still today injustices committed against native peoples around the world, and yet thru the work and reconizing the Foundation's work it is by and large making progess the world over. Being reconized by thr United Nations as an NGO and consultations certainly Giancarlo Barbarado and Rosalba Nattero, along with the group LabGraal and many members of the Eco-Spirituality Foundation will press forward in their desires to see wrongs made right on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples the world over.

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Images by Vickie Maidstone

Is SL becoming a Political Battlefield?

JaneyBracken — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:34:59 GMT

We all know that the internet provides an ideal platform for reaching people world-wide and it looks like the virtual world of Second Life is being invaded by political groups for their own agendas. Whether or not you believe the conspiracy theory of the New World Order, which is best explained as the breaking down of individual sovereignty states across the world and creating superpowers (this is actually happening in Europe with the European Union who now centrally create laws that each individual country is bound by), there seems to be an element of people who are seeking to use SL as a voice to convince people that certain legal political parties who do not fit the mould in respect of their ideals are fascists and racists, in their view.

At the in-world CNN meeting last night there was a conversion going on in ‘group chat’. We had one member of the group, (I’ll call him Mr A), who asked “Have you covered the incursion of extreme right wing groups in SL, like the Brit and French ultra-nationalist parties...and opposition to their presence in SL?” When I asked what he meant about ultra-nationalists parties he said “I will do a story on it...BNP and FLN are ultra-nationalist, "white peoples' parties", anti immigration, etc...neo-fascist, in that they are somewhat more subtle than jackboots and swastikas, heh” Another group member, (I’ll call him Mr X) said “and who deemed them that?” Mr A continued “well, all you have to do is study their rhetoric, literature and "issues", heh...they deny being racist or fascist, but they clearly are...” Mr X countered “maybe to them they are not” I asked Mr A what made him think that parties like the BNP (who are a legally elected political party in the UK) are fascists (although many people think the BNP are extreme in their views, lots of people are now voting for them because of the situation with Europe and the fear of losing their nationality), and I asked did Mr A listen to the hype from Britain’s Labour government about the BNP. He said “lol...also virulently anti-labor, and "communist", ie: against anyone, anything to the left of rightwing” Mr X commented “and I think they would not be the only ones that could be accused of rhetoric.” I suggested that people no longer debate on issues they just call people names. Mr X said “yes, and categorize” which I must say I agree with that statement. I have been covering the global warming topic, which was linked into SL and have met a great deal of aggression from the people who do not like me questioning the science in favour of it, when it should be open to debate.

Are there any traces of the BNP or FLN in SL? well so far I haven’t come across any, but perhaps if Mr A would like to publish his findings, I would be most interested to hear what all sides have to say, (without the mud slinging and name calling, of course!).

For Info BNP (British National Party)

Celebrating Elvis Presley's 75th Birthday In SL

JaneyBracken — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 09:19:29 GMT

There have been celebrations for Elvis Presley’s 75th birthday in Second Life, and it’s the ideal place to meet other fans who want to share their memories of the King of Rock!! People have really used their imaginations to build Elvis shrines and you can also hear his music being streamed into the sims 24/7.

At one sim called Elvis Park there is a birthday cake and the full works for a party to celebrate one of the most remembered birthdays in music history. Another site called Elvis Central has a great collection of Elvis pictures for sale as well as other Elvis memorabilia.

For nostalgia and paying tribute to Elvis Presley, Second Life is the ideal place to go, you can immerse yourself in his music and sit and reflect on the life and times of the King of Rock!

Elvis Park

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ohana/208/94/21

Elvis Central

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Penrith/75/96/38