Quite the Friendster In My Virtual Life

I recently began exploring the virtual worlds of SecondLife and IMVU. If you're unfamiliar, SecondLife is an Internet-based 3-D world where avatars represent the alter ego of visitors to a mystical land complete with businesses, products, services, education, arts and activities. Flying and teleporting thru this fantasy land can be an eye opening experience. It's globally diverse and extremely friendly. I often feel like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, befriending strangers as I journey through communities, exploring interesting buildings, shops, art galleries, concert venues and amazing graphical representations of tropical islands and mountainous terrains. IMVU is a Windows-based 3-D instant messaging system where once again avatars represent the members. These new and emerging social scenes allows visitors to accessorize their characters with a variety of clothes, hair styles, incidentals, gestures, scenic choices and pets. One common thread among both worlds is the out-going nature of the people that join. One typically logs in and within seconds, a stranger appears with a friendly greeting and helpful hint for navigating the land. I've met people from Italy, Brazil, Israel and Belgium (so they claim). I think I even saw a Borat-like character moving about Orientation Island seeking voluptuous women. I'm typically shy around strangers but in a virtual world, I'm quite the chatter box, texting everyone and everything that crosses my path. I freely ask for directions and assistance while learning to navigate these sites. While nothing of importance has been discussed or revealed, I wonder about the integrity and intentions of those that I meet. I recommend visiting these sites for an entertaining experience, but limit your conversations and avoid disclosing any personal information with the strangers in these strange virtual lands.