VEJ 2025 Spring

VEJ Executive Editor: Roxie Neiro (SL), Rosie Vojtek (RL)

VEJ Design Editor: BJ Gearbox (SL), Bob Vojtek (RL)

Cover by BJ Gearbox (SL), Bob Vojtek (RL)

A

To

FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

ROSIE VOJTEK (RL)

ROXIE NEIRO (SL)

Everything is great… until it’s not!

VEJ started out on time for our spring issue, and then !^!#@! happened! It turned our real lives upside down. When you live in a virtual world and something happens to your house, you can usually re-rezz it again and although it is a pain, you can put it back together relatively quickly. Or, you just move on.

But, when you leave the laundry room sink faucet running for over an hour and flood the inside of your house, it’s not quite so easy. So, that was problem number one. Even after three months (it happened mid-April), we are still living in the dust and chaos of the workers coming and going to complete the renovations. The worst is not being able to find things that have been moved from room to room… kind of like losing things in my Second Life inventory. Since I am so inventory challenged, this is a real problem. My inventory drastically needs a makeover! But, that’s its own issue.

members, but how as individuals, we need to think about what we want our own legacy to be. Then we need to make sure it happens. We need to put the pieces in place so that those left behind can keep our work, our passions, and our digital legacy alive for those who come after us.

In May, we were also slowed down after I had a minor surgery to remove a cyst on my index finger. A week after they took the stitches out, my finger developed a major infection. The doctor gave me Bactrim (an antibiotic). I took it for ten days and after taking the last pill, I ended up in the hospital for four days with extremely low sodium because of a major allergic reaction to Bactrim. Anyway, after another month of recovery, other than physical therapy for my finger and still typing with bad habits and nine fingers, I am pretty much back to normal.

I tell you all of this to explain why the spring issue is late. But, even more because the theme for this issue is Digital Legacy, and as I said above, everything is great… until it’s not!

It really made me think twice, as we were putting together the articles in this issue about Digital Legacy, just how fragile and precious our lives are, and how important our relationships and friendships are. Most of all, it is important to not only find ways to preserve the legacies of our friends, colleagues, and family

I was struck by something Brian Aviator said at the end of our second Memorial Garden Tour (see article in this issue). He said, “I once read a saying about the fact that we die twice. Once when we originally die, and again when the last person that remembers us dies as well. Memorials help with that.”

Paul Wiseall in his TEDx Talk, “What Happens to Your Digital Life After You Die” takes this one step further. He says, “In this modern day, I believe we actually die three times: once when we physically die; again when no one remembers who we are; and, finally when you no longer appear in searches on the Internet.”

This makes it all the more important to keep our friendships close to our hearts, share the oral stories and memories of those we love, and find ways to preserve and honor the work and legacy of those whose digital footsteps we follow.

When we started working on this issue, I didn’t know much about digital legacy. As you will see in our article “Digital Legacy,” we turned to ChatGPT, who, with our prompts and validation of information from the resources it provided, wrote the article for this issue about preserving our digital legacy.

Although ChatGPT and other AI tools often get a bad rap because educators and others think it “is cheating” to use AI, we are finding just the opposite. AI, as a resource tool, much like learning how to use a library card catalog, an encyclopedia index system, finding webpages when the worldwide web first became available, or doing Google searches before AI, were amazing tools to gather and find other resources for any project you were doing. But like a calculator, spell or grammar checkers, or even watching a how-to youtube video you have to know, understand, and use digital literacy skills to discern information and determine the authenticity, relevance, currency, and biases in what AI gives you. In other words, AI is only as good as the person behind it! BJ Gearbox takes this another step forward saying, “AI is his digital wingman!”

That being said, the article and resources that ChatGPT gave us is a great starting place for anyone looking to discover how to preserve the digital legacy for themselves and others. Likewise, in this issue, we used Adobe Photoshop to create the cover of this issue of VEJ. We also used AI for an AI Land exhibit opening in November (see the AI Land article). I played around with ChatGPT to create poems, Adobe Photoshop to paint pictures, and Suno to turn an AI generated poem into a song. (See AI Generated Poetry In Motion.)

What we have learned about using AI so far through our experimentation is that AI tools are only as good as the prompts you give it. Just like everything else, your first and second and even third tries are not always your best! We will have more about AI in our Fall VEJ issue which focuses on an AI Transformer theme.

Finally, we have so many great articles in this issue: from Antiquity, to Neon SpyGirl, to a Mayan Museum. We also celebrate the lives of several of our colleagues we recently lost including Gregg Legendary, Dancers Yao, Gino, and Mal Burns. Be sure to not only read but visit some of the beautiful Second Life Memorial Gardens, Uncle D Quest, and The Tree of Hugs. And, of course, there are many wonderful events happening across the Metaverse during August including the VWMOOC25, several great workshops with Cooper Swizzle and Kimm Starr in Kitely, an NPC Common Ground Party at the VEJ Headquarters, and a VWMOOC25 & VEJ hosted Summer Splash beach party at the riverside by VEJ Headquarters in the Waterstone Shopping Village.

We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer. Be sure to check out this issue of VEJ and share it with your colleagues and friends. There are some amazing articles, with a plethora of resources and fun things to see and do. As always we greatly appreciate the authors who contribute to VEJ, because as I always say, VEJ is only as good as we all make it!

So, grab your favorite beverage, find your favorite spot, and VEJ-OUT with this latest edition of VEJ! BON APPÉTIT, and as always,

Keep Smiling,

Roxie Neiro (SL), Rosie Vojtek (RL) Executive Editor, Virtual Education Journal

VEJ hosts the August 10, 2025 NPC CommonGround Networking Party (theme Yellow) at our Waterstone Shopping Village VEJ Headquarter and Edovation Offices.

Curated by BJ Gearbox (SL)

Bob Vojtek, PhD (RL)

This article was generated by prompts using ChatGT and Gemini. References were checked to ensure they existed and were accurate at the time of this writing.

What we may never have thought about before is becoming a significant consideration for our friends, ourselves, and our loved ones. What about our digital legacy? What will it be? Will there be one if we don't act to ensure that there will be one.

The physical "stuff" we have is pretty straight forward. You put it in your will, you give it to someone now so you know that special person will have it.

Digital is different. There are artifacts in the digital relm that only persist because we have a subscription.When you are gone, what happens to that subscription? What about the content connected to that subscription?

In this article we discuss aspects of a digital legacy including important considerations about preserving your digital legacy, important digital legacy resources, and a digital legacy checklist.

10 Essential Things to Know About Preserving Your Digital Legacy

In our increasingly connected world, much of who we are—our thoughts, memories, relationships, and creative work—exists in digital spaces. Just as we preserve photographs, letters, and heirlooms for future generations, we must now think about what happens to our digital lives after we're gone. This is the essence of digital legacy: the body of digital content that survives us, and how it is managed, remembered, or lost. Here are 10 essential things everyone should know about preserving their own digital legacy— and honoring the digital footprints of friends and colleagues:

• Your Digital Legacy Already Exists!

Every email, post, photo, video, blog entry, document, and message leaves behind a record. Even your streaming playlists, cloud folders, or gaming avatars are part of your legacy. If you don’t take an active role, others may decide what’s preserved—or it may disappear entirely

• Take Inventory of Your Digital Life

List key assets: Social media, cloud storage, emails, blogs, creative work, financial docs, subscriptions apps, and your digital wallets.

Goal: Take control of your online presence.

• Assign a Digital Executor

Who: A trusted person to manage your digital affairs.

Action: Grant legal authority, provide passwords, and give clear instructions.

Formalize: Include in your will or estate plan.

• Use Platform Legacy Tools

Facebook: Assign a Legacy Contact.

Google: Utilize Inactive Account Manager to share data.

Apple: Set up Legacy Contacts for post-death access.

Why: These tools are crucial for access and control.

• Back It Up—More Than Once Cloud services aren't foolproof.

Action: Save meaningful content offline (external drives, prints, trusted archives).

Benefit: Redundancy prevents loss of memories.

• Preserve the Work of Others You Value

If a friend or colleague passes, you might have access to their digital pieces.

Action: Don't assume someone else is saving them. Be a "guardian of memory."

Rule: Share ethically and respectfully.

• Respect Privacy and Consent Digital doesn't mean public.

Think: Would they have wanted it shared?

Guidance: Prioritize the values and wishes of the person.

• Document Stories Behind the Files

Context is key!

Action: Add descriptions, stories, names, dates, and reflections.

Result: Narrative transforms data into a true legacy.

• Consider a Digital Time Capsule

What: A curated collection of your most meaningful digital creations.

Examples: Journals, videos, voice notes, favorite playlists.

Purpose: A way to say, "I was here. This mattered."

• Keep the Conversation Going

Talk about digital legacy with family, friends, and colleagues.

Focus: It's about legacy, memory, and meaning, not just death.

Outcome: Open dialogue helps preserve what truly counts.

Final Thought: Digital legacy is about connection. It's the bridge between now and the future, creating a map of who we were, what we valued, and what we leave behind.

Start today. Curate with intention. Archive with love.

Digital Legacy Resources

• Google Inactive Account Manager

Website: https://myaccount.google.com/ inactive

Purpose: Manage Google account data after inactivity

Key Features: Trusted contacts, auto-delete, data sharing options

Best For: Google users with Gmail, Drive, Photos, etc.

• Facebook Memorialization Settings

Website: https://www.facebook.com/ help/103897939701143

Purpose: Manage or memorialize Facebook accounts

Key Features: Legacy contact, memorial profiles, tribute section

Best For: Facebook users and loved ones

• Digital Legacy Association

Website: https://digitallegacyassociation.org

Purpose: Education and tools on digital legacy

Key Features: Guides, policy updates, research, memorial tools

Best For: General education and awareness

• Everplans

Website: https://www.everplans.com

Purpose: Comprehensive end-of-life and digital planning

Key Features: Checklists, secure vault, estate planning

Best For: Individuals/families planning digital & physical legacy

• Internet Archive

Website: https://archive.org

Purpose: Public preservation of digital content

Key Features: Archive websites, books, music, videos

Best For: Creators, historians, researchers

• Apple Legacy Contact

Website: https://support.apple.com/enus/102631

Purpose: Allow access to Apple data after death

Key Features: iCloud data access, secure legacy contact system

Best For: iPhone, iCloud, and Apple device users

• MyWishes

Website: https://www.mywishes.co.uk

Purpose: Free end-of-life planning platform

Key Features: Will writing, goodbye messages, funeral wishes

Best For: Users seeking a free all-in-one tool

• TEDx Talk: Let's Talk About Digital Death

Website: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=n5j5p3TnAo4

Purpose: Education and awareness about digital legacy

Key Features: Inspiring talk, real-world stories

Best For: General public, educators, and beginners

• The Digital Beyond

Website: https://www.facebook.com/ thedigitalbeyond/

Purpose: News and insights on digital death

Key Features: Articles, white papers, service directories

Best For: Researchers, professionals, policy makers

I Do Not Fear The Machine,

An Interview with Pooky Amsterdam

The third issue of VEJ, Winter 2012, featured Pooky Amsterdam. She graced the cover of that issue and provided us with an indepth look at her work in an interview titled “Pooky Amsterdam Answers the 1st Question… & More” (VEJ, January 2012, pages 6-12. https://issuu.com/edovation/docs/vej_issue_3_ january_19_2012finalc).

For almost two decades Pooky has not only been one of Second Life’s biggest celebrities for her work with fun and fast-paced game shows such as, “The 1st Question” and “The Dating Casino;” but she is also the CEO, Founder, Producer and Writer for PookyMedia Films, and a long time friend.

In that VEJ Winter 2012 issue we celebrated her 2011 Virtual World Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) Machinima Award for her “Time Traveler Episode 1,” (https://www.youtube.com/@ pookymedia/search?query=Time%20Traverers ) which was the first of a series of six episodes. She also received a 2011 Award of Excellence at Los Angeles Movie Awards for her Time Travelers

machinima film.

Since that time, Pooky has continued to write and produce numerous films. Her latest ventures are taking her into the world of AI film creation and production. I caught up with my good friend, Pooky Amsterdam, at the 2025 VWBPE Closing Ceremony which she has hosted for 14 years (since 2011). I am so excited she agreed to do this interview with me.

Machine, I Am The Machine!

By Roxie Neiro (SL) Rosie O’Brien Vojtek, PhD (RL)

If you know Pooky, you know we are in for a great treat getting to learn about the work she has been doing for almost 2 decades in virtual worlds. If not, hold on to your hats and glasses, because not only is Pooky an incredibly talented film and media creator and producer, but she is an amazing personality with a great sense of humor and quick wit. Pooky is also an intelligent business woman, artist genius, and out-of-the-box thinker. Be sure to check out Pooky’s work by following the urls in this article.

To find out what Pooky was doing during the early years of Second LIfe, read the VEJ interview article listed above.

If you can’t tell by now, I am honored and delighted to be able to catch up with Pooky and share her story and amazing work with you. ENJOY!

Roxie: Hi Pooky! It has been awhile since we last interviewed you. Since our Relaunch of VEJ with the Fall 2024 issue, we have gained many new readers and continue to do so with each issue. So, let’s begin by having you introduce yourself and share with us anything you would like us to know about you and your work.

Pooky: I am a digital filmmaker and create films with games and AI engines. The ability to turn ideas into reality is part of my core Life experience,Virtual and otherwise. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Second Life and virtual worlds. The proximity of many people logging onto a shared space was tremendously

inspiring. I created game shows, talk shows, poetry slams, comedy clubs, debates and theater experiences. We are tiny space players here. The ability to create characters, who wear costumes, create scenes in 360 degree sets, build custom assets and so much more, make the videos I do possible. This is where my virtual Film Studio began. The incredible variety of crowd-sourced imagination and enterprise feeds the narrative and even adjusts its possibilities, too. The people I met helped me play to my strengths, as I hope I helped them play to theirs.

Roxie: That is an understatement. You have totally given so much to all of us!

Pooky: That is very much appreciated, still more to do. It seems all roads lead to Virtuality. About 2 years ago I finally finished a 17 original song play about a Virtual World called “Mambo Motel - The Metaverse Musical.” It's the story of a Prince who longs to escape the glare of the media to just be himself. But, the only place he can find refuge is in this world of virtual reality, where no one knows who he really is. His trip becomes a nightmare when he gets trapped and has to find his way back to reality, meeting a strange and enchanting cast of characters. He finds himself by losing himself… and, I have to say that is a metaphor for my own personal experience.

Roxie: I think that is true for many of us. What a great concept and story for a musical. Do you have any plans to produce it? I would love to see and hear your musical, “Mambo Motel!”

Pooky: Perhaps the current climate for Artistic grants will help me get some funding to create it as an AI Musical, so I'm thinking of doing it as a film, not for the stage in the near future. Some of my other AI projects are competing for this time, but I intend to get the opening number out soon.

Roxie: I can’t wait to hear the opening number and see what you do with it! You will have to let us know when it is ready to view!

Pooky: You better believe it! I’ll send out a group

notice if you like.

Roxie: [Laughing] Yes, please do! So, how long have you been in SL? What brought you into SL and what has kept you here?

Pooky: I started producing plays on Habbo.com in 2002 and went to New York University’s State of Play Conference in 2003, met Philip Rosedale, saw his presentation for Second Life, and got the Boxed DVD to upload it. That was the way you played SL in the beginning. His Marketing person, Robin Linden, told me that Vassar had staged “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” when I told her I had been doing Shakespeare and adapting Dickens in a 2.5 D MMOW (Massive Multi-Player Online World).

But it wasn’t until 2006 when I wanted to create my own Virtual World where people could build their own venues for performance: do plays, etc., that I entered Second Life. I wrote a 70-page business proposal for StudioDome, my imagined world. As I needed to check out the competition, I entered SL for the first time, creating my avatar from a tech store in Chelsea, Manhattan. I left my avatar in a parking lot at Best Buy and continued producing elsewhere.

Roxie: [Laughing] Your poor Avatar!

Pooky: Then in March 2008 I came in for a marketing conference, and that would change my life. I met an Avatar named Paradox Olbers. He had a sim in the Scilands region where there were no casinos, strip clubs or even shopping. He took me to his SpinDome to see Cypress Rosewood perform and texted me that he wished he could get more folks in there.

I said, “I have an idea… I’d like to produce a weekly show.” And, he said, “ you have the space!” It was immediate. I didn’t know that logging in would change my life but it did. I immediately started writing a game show.

Roxie: Was that the beginning of “The 1st Question?”

Pooky: Yes, and at the time I called it The 2nd Question, but a year or so in, Linden Lab did not want “Second” or “2” in productions it wasn’t authoring, so I changed the number from 2nd to First. As Virtual luck would have it, I met very instrumental people in my first forays that week. I met Bevan Whitfield, who took me under her very fashionable and formidable wing, and my looks improved from the 2006 avatar I’d rode in on.

Roxie: [Laughing] Probably the same pink polka dot dress we all got when we were rezzed and wondered why people thought we were “newbies?”

Pooky: Absolutely that. I also met Robwag Soothsayer, who would become my very dear friend. His name was Robert G. Wagner. He passed away 7 years ago. Devastating. I can't say enough about what he taught me on so many levels and how much I cared for him. He helped me build the show behind the scenes and did the scripting, too. He also became the stage/set builder for PookyMedia. I have a t-shirt that says “Rob built everything,” because it was true! Hydra Shafto would be my co-anchor on the shows, an incredibly handsome and brilliant furry. What kept me here were the exciting projects I was about to create as well as the friends.

Roxie: It always comes back to friendships and relationships. I am so sorry to hear about Robwag. He sounds like an amazing person!

Pooky: When Rob passed away… it was difficult. I still miss him and sometimes look at old snapshots in my inventory which trigger memories like life anywhere. Other friends I do keep in contact with in real life. It is also amazing how sometimes when I log in, a conversation can pick back up where it left off, years ago even.

Roxie: I know exactly what you are talking about. I was pretty much out of Second Life and other virtual worlds for almost 5 years during the time we were not publishing VEJ, and I am finding the same thing to be true. What about Hydra Shafto? Is he still around?

Pooky: Hydra is not really around in Second Life anymore, but he is indeed on Earth. He was an incredible co-host for the 1st Question for so many years. Great guy. Super Smart. Very successful now.

Roxie: Just curious…. Are you in other Virtual Worlds?

Pooky: We did do some videos in InWorldz, but outside of professional video, I do not have a presence in other virtual worlds. I have tried out Spatial, and a number of other new Metaverses during the big wave from a few years ago for my series of blogs called Mettaquette, but nothing really holds a candle for film production for me to Second Life. It is the sheer size of the marketplace and the number of builds which make SL preferred in this way.

Roxie: I totally understand. It takes a lot of time to design, build, and script what you need, which I am sure cuts into your time to write and produce your work. It is much easier to either shop for what you want or need or to find someone who can specifically design and build it for you. Other than some of the bigger OpenSims, such as Kitely and Wolf Territories, the reliability and stability, I would think, might also be a problem.

Pooky: It does, because time is the real premium, when doing a commercial project. I did pay $100 USD for a copy of a part of Insillico to film on my own production sim. I spent a fair amount of time location scouting, which was always fascinating.

Roxie: I am sure. Tell us about Pooky Media. How did that get started?

Pooky: The Game Shows happened immediately, and once it started, didn’t let up. Paradox was involved with all the universities at the time and had a lot of scientists as friends. I wanted to create a Sci/Tech game show and it was a perfect fit.

The search for panelists took me far and wide, to a lot of talks, groups, and interesting places like Science Circle in Second Life. The BBC Broadcast was piped in from the UK on Sundays and The Naked Scientist would take questions from our group, too. There were Physics lectures, Jet Propulsion Lab circles; NASA and IBM had builds here. It was really exciting putting the shows together each week. I learned a lot writing them.

Roxie: I can only imagine how much you learned! I was on the show [https://tinyurl.com/4k9d4mtj], at least one time, maybe more… I can’t remember. All

answer so I looked somewhat intelligent. [Laughing] But, to tell you the truth, when I would watch the shows, there were a lot of times I was clueless about what you were even talking about!

I had to do was hope I could get the answer right, or quickly make something up if I didn’t know the

Pooky: Agreed that the show could have benefitted from being a 30 minutes program, instead of an hour, which would have made for a tighter and lighter script. The 1st Question had different segments “Yay Me or Nay Me” with up to the minute science facts; “Avataro Y Avataro” which became the Inner Geek Competition with very tough questions, during which the audience was encouraged to google live and text chat; people describing which element of the periodic table they most identified with, and why; and one segment “Word-Up,” where we asked the panel to come to the show with made-up words which the audience could vote on in real time. And the

show always ended with a Quote that the audience could try to guess who authored it. The learning throughout the show was vitally important to me, that it was fun, communal and funny. Because that is how we learn the most!

Roxie: I remember on the special version of the 1st Question for VWBPE when LoriVonne Lustre, Spiff Whitfield, and I were panelists, my element was “platinum.”

Pooky: You are so Platinum Roxie!!! It started the PookyPedia with panelist words like, “Inventoil” (cleaning out one's inventory) or "Linkslap" (when someone asks you a complex question, expecting you to spend a lot of time researching the answer, and your reply is just a single URL).

We had CalTech Professors, the designer of the World Wide Telescope for Google, the Science Editor of MSNBC and the director of the Exploratorium in San Francisco, among many. We had game designer Will Wright, and Grady Booch, Chief Scientist of IBM. With over 200 shows, it was a constant pressure to find panelists.

Late in 2008, there was a Machinima Conference and I went to it, as the shows were filmed, it

seemed a good fit. I met Russell Boyd, or Rosco Teardrop, his avatar. A keen film maker who was doing flight sims, he would become fundamental to the growth of PookyMedia. His filming and editing skills were a perfect match for my production ability; we got contracts, including from Linden Labs. A Year In the Life of Second Life. Russell really made PookyMedia, the film company, possible. He contributed so much with his filming skills, solid advice and more. We have been working together now for almost 20 years. He is a remarkable person… a wonderful human being.

Filming the shows in April 2008, the people from treet.tv did that, handled Skype, and gave support in sound checks. The 1st Question also came about because honestly, I was tired of just watching TV shows which insulted my intelligence.

Here was a vibrant, incredibly exciting place with scientists and educators from around the world. I knew I wanted to create a show that celebrated smarts and made rock stars out of scientists. With the knowledge I had of producing shows in a virtual environment, I knew I could do “The 2nd Question,” a panel show that had live audience participation, and went on to write, host, and produce over 200 shows. Here is a talk I gave on Game Shows in The Metaverse.

Roxie: WOW! That’s a lot of shows! Thank you for sharing that presentation, “In the Metaverse: Game Shows For the Win” with us. It is very insightful.

Pooky: Within 6 weeks, beginning the day I landed [in Second Life] in March 2008, the show was on the treet.tv network, broadcasting live and available through media on a prim in thousands of Second Life homes.

Roxie: You are right… that happened really quickly! I remember watching you in my house on tweet.tv! At the time, it was pretty amazing!

Pooky: The show, which became The 1st Question, went on weekly from 2008 - 2012. There have been “Special Editions” through the years.

The “Guru Edition,” a tribute to Paradox Olbers, had Ebbe Linden on it.

I have to thank Petlove Petshop for her wonderful work as sound engineer and support on the show, too. Sound is one of the most important elements in a live broadcast of any kind, but hooking up eight people from all over the world was often tricky.

Petlove was a complete star and incredibly smart. She has gone on to have a very successful machinima business herself.

After the Sci/Tech show I had an idea for a dating kind of show. It was based on the premise that it is easy to fall in love with someone for their good qualities. But, how you both handle each other’s less than best, is what makes or breaks you as a couple.

With the tagline, ”Love Is A Gamble, Play The Dating Casino” it became another kind of person that we went looking for to populate the panel. This included going to dance clubs on Saturday nights to try and find them. The concept for

the show was 3 Men and 3 Women, though we did have an all woman show and could have

had all men. It's not about gender so much as compatibility. “The Matrix Board of Love” was a scoreboard with 9 places for points. If the answers from the men matched that of the woman, there was a heart given.

There were aspects where bets could be placed, and hearts could be won. One segment called Flirtrage had the contestants have to flirt their way out of a sexy situation. The couple with the most points got a week at Luna Lua, Island Resort. There are only 36 of these shows, but this is a concept that can be used for a Zoom dating show or a local

bar. I’m working on a card game for it now.

Roxie: The card game sounds interesting. Was Luna Lua a resort in SL?

Pooky: Yes, it was a couples destination. So pose balls in the thatched roof bungalows, and surfboards on the beach.

Roxie: [Laughing] FUN! How has PookyMedia evolved over the years?

Pooky: When I was raising money to build StudioDome, my network grew to venture capitalists. I shared my work in Second Life, “The Spy Who Lives Here” with someone affiliated with Merrill Lynch. He loved it so we did a video of what conventioneers could expect at the Las Vegas ACG Intergrowth 2009. We used virtual airports and hotels while building out our own Convention Center. That really taught us so much about how to make professional films. For example, unable to find what was causing the render rate of the screen capture to fail, one of the friends who was acting that day had to strip naked to find out that she was wearing… a 10,000 prim ring causing tremendous lag! We never put out an open call for friends as actors after that, only using avatars we costumed and created. Which really made a lot of sense, saved time and let us create the exact scenes we needed.

Roxie: I don’t blame you! It must have been some ring with a lot of bling to use 10,000 prims. However, in the early days of Second Life before mesh it took a lot more prims to build and script anything!

Pooky: PookyMedia began to get a lot of work from many areas. We did web series, music videos, public service videos and more. PookyMedia evolved from the Viewer log in game shows to crafting machinima films made with the game engine of Second Life.

The key in SL film-making is to avoid the weaknesses and use the strengths. And, if something doesn’t look right, it’s time for the workaround as there is a limit to how much one aspect of one shot can take, in my opinion.

Roxie: Avoid the weakness, and use the strengths. I like that. It is a great lesson, not just for you, but for life in general!

Pooky: Another evolution was to co-author two academic papers with Professor CarrieLyn D. Reinhard on producing TV-like content in Virtual Worlds.

PookyMedia has also evolved to different mediums. To create the trailer for Mambo Motel, I set up a green screen in my real life office to film human actors, while building virtual sets to place them in, combining real people and putting them in virtual environments.

Roxie: How fun! Thank you for sharing the prototype for Mambo Motel. I look forward to seeing what you do with your musical.

Pooky: We explored Volumetric Video which allows for a 360 degree experience, by filming with 40 cameras on a soundstage. This will be a powerhouse of content for Virtual Reality. The project wasn’t right for this, but that was someplace Pookymedia almost evolved to.

Now we no longer just use Virtual Worlds, but have branched out to AI. Markerless Capture is also a very interesting movement forward for Motion Capture. You don’t have to wear a suit.

Roxie: I haven’t heard of Markerless Capture. We are always interested in learning more about tools that our readers will want to know more about. Briefly tell me more about Volumetric Video and especially why you think it “will be a powerhouse of content for virtual reality.”

Pooky: For Volumetric Video, here was a great TED Talk with Diego Prilusky. It's from a few years ago, but is very descriptive. Since then a few studios have opened up. There’s one in Brooklyn, Zerospace.

I think it will be a powerhouse in the future, as this will introduce Television, or entertainment content the audience can inhabit, play, dance, and sing along with. What I envisioned for The 1st Question, in many ways, we logged into SL as avatars, but with Future VRTV you enter the game show with your VR headset.

I do see User Generated Content in this space. All huge platforms today; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc., have very large content creator products. It is actually the basis of their platforms. I call it the rise of Citizen Entertainment.

Roxie: So much to look forward to with all the transformations coming from AI tools. Neon SpyGirl is a series in which you have posted on social media that you are using AI in almost every aspect of this video - including the creation of Neon SpyGirl. Tell us about Neon Spygirl and how you have used AI.

Pooky: Here is the first episode remastered:

Neon SpyGirl – Mission: Shadows in the Ice | Ep 1

As with any creation, the more I have used the platforms, the better my skills have gotten. The entire film is “AI” done with a few engines, the critical advice of Lee Huang and myself.

Roxie: Incredible! Unbelievable! I love the storyline. This entire film is the highest quality from the characters (especially Winston), the acting, the staging, the set… to the lighting, camera movement and sound… in fact it is quintessential cinematography at its BEST! The entire film is brilliant! I am speechless! It’s just so vivid and realistic! How did you do it?

Pooky: I began using only LTX Studio; it has voice, SFX and music. The earlier videos are all just LTX. But, I had to work around the hallucinations a lot, and even enhanced, the film still looked too pixelated. Though I still use it for storyboarding, everything took a step up with other tools.

Each shot improved in resolution, animation, lip-sync and loss of artifacts by using KLINGAI. I began using Hedra for animating the penguin figure, but it also has awesome lip-sync and animation chops. I found it when I ran into Neural-Viz.

Once I moved on from LTX, I needed voiceovers

and had used ElevenLabs for voices. Having made a lot of films using mp3 for Voice Overs and working with some great voice actors, too… this is easier - if I need an extra shot, or line, it is there instantly. It is also less expensive. And, I can change a word, or try out a different kind of sentence quickly. The voice can be massaged to provide more warmth. There are skill sets I am developing in working so closely with the machine as my partner. The entire experience is a dance with AI.

Roxie: Sounds complicated - but also a lot of FUN, especially as you watch it all come together!

Pooky: Neon SpyGirl is an accidental heroine. LTX had discontinued a CyberPunk filter, and I wanted to see if I could replicate that by a prompt to share with my partner on a new YouTube channel, Lee Huang. Lee had been developing a female character named Frelon who was a cybernetic action figure. So I prompted: “Neon SpyGirl CyberPunk Heroine in High-tech gear with neon details, and a metallic suitcase that can transform into anything; boat, car, plane. She has a sidekick, the Mecca penguin named Winston.” I gave the full story to LTX next to expand on it and she was born. I’ve used ChatGPT to help me structure story ideas for Episodes, too.

Roxie: That is amazing! But, it makes sense as some of the best discoveries come from unexpected outcomes just waiting to happen. I am going to try ChatGPT for story-test ideas. I haven’t done that yet. We have used ChatGPT and other AI generator tools to help us create the VEJ covers for this issue as well as the Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 issues. It is astonishing what it creates with just a few simple words or concepts.

I am curious about what you see are the strengths of using AI for your work and if you have concerns about using AI, especially because it is moving and changing so rapidly?

Pooky: The strength for my work is that I can handle all the moving parts myself. I have worked with a team for almost 20 years to create the

There are skill sets I am developing in working so closely with the machine as my partner. The entire experience is a dance with AI

films we have. Second Life can be off-putting to viewers used to great quality CGI. It’s challenging in animation; facial expression, lip-sync and movement overall. Maybe next time I'll try to lipsynce SL characters, why not? I love my avatar! In fact here is a video I really couldn’t make just in SL, but with SL pictures and AI animation, I can call it a Day in The Life of Pooky.

With AI, I no longer have the same lip-sync and animation challenges. I can streamline a lot of the operation. I used to spend quite a long time building sets, gathering assets, costuming, gathering animations (when I could find them or getting them made) and creating characters. AI has offered me tremendous freedom. I do not fear the machine, I am the machine!

Roxie: Now, that is a POWERFUL and INCREDIBLE statement!

Pooky: My concerns about using AI are not that it is changing, but mainly how it affects the world we live in. How much energy am I using up to tell these stories? Asking ChatGPT a question uses a bottle of water! Does my vision justify the processing power? How can I use my story-telling powers for the good of humankind? And, how

much storage space is this taking up on my MAC?

I started out using one platform, and then I had to move over to another better one. The technology is moving quickly. But, as I can access improved platforms, I am doing so gratefully.

My long career making films on a game engine has prepared me for this. There are still the same principles at work, certain camera angles which convey more than others, the contract with the audience that must be honored, and the need for musical cues. Sometimes I have to adjust/change a shot because I can’t get the machine to do what I want… but, that has also led to breakthroughs in action and/or dialog. It allows me to be fluid in my filmmaking in new ways and take additional chances. The way it is working out, AI is my partner.

I’ve also found I can animate the cookies I love to make, and this has opened up a whole new avenue, stay tuned!

Roxie: I can’t wait to see your dancing and singing cookies!!! [Laughing] Kind of like the Gingerbread Man on steroids!

Pooky: Here is the world's first Cookiemation. I became enamored of a Netflix series about, Spies in the 60s in Paris (Spies is a recurring theme somehow…hehe) And, I made all of these cookies of the actors and then the assets. A Very Secret Service. I would do it differently today…

Roxie: I love Claybourne and Molinier! You must have had a lot of fun making that short film! You have to get a lot of enjoyment and gratification doing what you do now that you have an infinite world of design and creation tools at your fingertips! And, they are only getting better with each new iteration of AI!

Pooky: It has not helped my Messianic complex though I am afraid! Yes, now *In mad scientists voice* I can make ANYTHING!!!!

Roxie: [Laughing at Pooky’s comment] You can either call that Power… or, sheer craziness! Either

way, it's brilliant! What are some of your most popular productions?

Pooky: The most viewed film that PookyMedia has ever done is one we did for a BirthPlace in New Zealand. They recreated the actual BirthPlace in Second Life. Given the isolation of the country, doulas were given training in Second Life to educate them on how to help mothers about to give birth. We used only New Zealand speaking voice actors for this, too. It has over seven million views… I am not 100% sure why.

I'm Too Busy To Date Your Avatar! - which Draxtor Despres filmed and helped create - is a top favorite of mine. My theme song - it has over half a million views.

Roxie: WOW! I am not surprised! Love that songand, I must confess one of my favorites as well!

Pooky: Vector Inspectors (the actual machinima starts at 1:20) is incredibly popular as a tool that the San Gabriel Mosquito Vector Control Center uses to educate children in K-8 grades about the mosquitos population. It gives them ways to understand that yard and outdoor factors help

contribute to controlling mosquitoes in the wake of vector borne diseases. The film has been successfully used for almost a decade in schools throughout the district.

Roxie: Awesome! What a great teaching tool as well as a way to control mosquitos! Many communities could benefit from a program like this.

Pooky: The 1st Question was very popular, not perhaps in YouTube views, but as an actual live show that ran every week. It had an audience and a following. There was a lot of interaction between the studio audience and the panel. It was participatory TV; the audience was as much a part of the show as the panel at times. Although it wasn’t recorded, the text chat was all about giving answers to the questions, quotes, and guessing the secret word for 500 Lindens.

Roxie: You are absolutely right! The show was groundbreaking and way before its time! I remember jumping into SL just to make sure I got to see it! I may not be spending as much time in Second Life as I used to since I am also in other virtual worlds, but I haven’t seen TV shows like the 1st Question in Second Life recently. KUDOS to you for your early pioneer work on machinima and hosting a Second Life TV show!

Pooky: What I do think will be important in the future is viewer-enabled participation. All big platforms rely on User Generated Content - this is entertainment where the audience becomes part of the show. And, by this I mean more than just calling in a number to support a contest, but a presence of some sort. Virtual reality enables that in a fuller way - but that weekly game show you can enter with your VR headset is still to come.

Roxie: But probably just around the corner and it will be a lot of fun when it happens, especially if it has a live, interactive audience or even other live players. Is that what you are talking about?

Pooky: Yes, exactly that. Once, I really wanted to be the Merv Griffin of The Internet, but at the moment, I’m just too busy for Merv!

Roxie: [Laughing Out Loud] Too bad… you would make a great Merv! So, we talked about fan favorites. What are your personal favorites?

Pooky: I loved Beer Break. Someone from The 1st Question, Edsel Heinkel, did the soundtrack. It's very Dick Dale… On a surfing sim. I had the idea for a branded virtual experience where people from all over the world could compete for best surfer and the winner got a prize from Pacifico Beer.

Roxie: It is a really fun video - and, I love how you used the Tiny Beaver Avatar from the Wynxworks/ Wynx Whiplash store. Rob's animal avatar and all the clothes and props he made for the Tiny Beaver are great!. It definitely has a feel-good vibe.

I think one of my new personal favorites is one of your latest releases, “Neon SpyGirl - Steampunk: Aquatic Dream.” The visual effects are stunning, and I love everything steampunk. So, to be watching Neon SpyGirl swimming with her aquatic creatures in a soothing, vibrant, and a beautifully imagined steampunk dream is just what my busy mind needs at the end of the day to calm itself! Definitely surreal serenity! Can’t wait to see more like this!

Pooky: Here are a few more Steampunk themed things - Neon SpyGirl - Steampunk Fashion Show & Steampunk Fashion Showdown | Pick the Best Look - YouTube And, now I am loving this film - my blockbuster trailer: A Spy & His Penguin and the Neon SpyGirl series, is something I look forward to expanding.

Roxie: The penguin is so cute! How many episodes have you created for the Neon SpyGirl series?

Pooky: Neon SpyGirl kind of happened as I mentioned, through her a narrative developed, she is the World’s Greatest Spy’s granddaughter. A mecca, Winston Penguin, was created after the real one passed, and she is meant to find it when she’s ready to up her Spy Game. Steampunk SpyGirl is her Great grandmother, an inventor who invented the morphing suitcase and whose technology was passed down for Mecca Winston. I have made 4 videos BUT as my abilities have grown, we decided to redo them all as quality is the most important thing to deliver. And then will do more after that, we have three trilogies in the pipeline.

Roxie: What an awesome series! I am looking forward to watching them all. What are some of your future projects and what do you see yourself and Pooky Media doing 5 years from now?

Pooky: I worked on a Historical Subject that a friend of mine included in a recent book, and

I was blown away by the story - The Flushing Remonstrance. I would like to do more of these kinds of educational films.

Roxie: It is a very informative and well-crafted documentary.

Pooky: Future projects could involve Second Life images and AI, in artistic and also entertaining ways. I made a sample thing for this interview, Second Life & AI. I love clothes! Definitely the continued use of AI and a combination of assets and AI animation.

In 5 years, I have a production studio that is creating Bingeable Virtual Reality Content. Like a YouTube for VR… and, I will have taken over an old ShopRite or local movie theater, putting in VR stations where people can enjoy and create content together.

Roxie: That sounds like a great way to spend time with family and friends. And I would think that it could be done even if you are not physically in the

same place, right?

Pooky: We have witnessed a certain Diaspora of physical presence, whether at work or in our personal lives. And with that the growth of the remote human, so yes we can connect and will there. About 20 years ago, I thought, why not have a virtual wedding place for people who can't make the actual event... give them a chance to get to know... the other family, friends, etc., in the safety and beauty of the Virtual World.

Roxie: Right, and there are a number of virtual weddings in Second Life and other virtual worlds. Likewise, with the advent of Zoom and live YouTube events, people are doing virtual weddings and funerals using these digital platforms to do exactly that… get to meet and see family, friends, and colleagues who live, work, and play anywhere in the world. It is amazing how far we have come in 20 years!

And since the theme for this issue is Digital Legacy, how do you want to be remembered? What would

you like your Digital Legacy to be?

Pooky: No one is good at everything, but everyone is good at something. The Digital World allows us to find both our bliss and what we excel at. I guess for a Legacy, that I showed the Metaverse can provide joy in experience, friendship, creativity and greater Quality of Life issues. The Metaverse is not a zero-sum game. We are not determined by what we consume, what we buy, though we are often judged by our expenditures. No, we are determined by what we produce in this lifetime, whether it is an object you can hold, a film that moves someone and/or a relationship that is valued. I think we are very powerful as human beings, and we often scare ourselves. Don’t be afraid to try something... and in the Metaverse you can! I didn’t have the wherewithal in any measure to build a TV or Film studio, but I was able to virtually.

Pooky: My superpower is to take any 3 words and turn them into a short story, game show or industry.

No one is good at everything, but everyone is good at something

Roxie: And, what a great superpower! You are using it well! It will be so much fun to continue to follow your career and the amazing films and stories you are creating and producing. So, start using your superpower. I can’t wait to see what all you do with AI! YOU GO GIRL!

Pooky: I am A GO-GO and also so appreciative of the amount of didactic learning people in Second Life and Virtual Worlds have. We really have taught ourselves to do, make, and communicate so much.

Roxie: I couldn’t agree more!

Pooky: And please, follow my blog, even check out the old ones. Subscribe to the YouTube channels. If you want to look at my evolution as an avatar, and more fashion, here I am in OpenSea.

Roxie: And that you have done! Well said! Is there anything else that I didn’t ask you that you would like our readers to know about you?

Roxie: We definitely will, Pooky! Thank you again for doing this interview with me! As always, it is so much fun to see and learn about all that you are doing. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

And to all of our readers, be sure to follow Pooky and subscribe for the latest here:

Neon SpyGirl Channel

Neon SpyGirl – Mission: Shadows in the Ice - Ep 1

The SpyGlass Sessions - Episode 1

PookyMedia YouTube Channel

Pookymedia - Website

PookyMedia Films

PookyAmsterdam Blog

Neon SpyGirl's Substack - Substack

With the launch of the Neon SpyGirl Universe, her personal Substack is here! Behind-the-scenes content, more action, Mission Logs, Fashion and The SpyGlass Sessions.

Neon SpyGirl is the SPY we need now!

Pooky has a dedicated channel just to Neon SpyGirl. Please Subscribe - lots of cool backstories and content. She won't disappoint!

Gregg Legandary’s passing hit everyone hard in both the OpenSim and Second Life communities. Although we knew he had health problems it still came as a surprise. He was a staple in not just one world but many. He was always ready for a late-night chat about building and creating in-world, often sharing the frus-

In the mid 2000s, Second Life was booming, and so was immersive roleplay. Gregg Barrymore (later known as Gregg Legendary) and a small group of friends wanted to create something big. An entire world that felt like the 18th century, full of adventure, exploration, court life, and naval battles, all stitched together across many regions.

trations of keeping up with technology while managing his health, but never letting it stop him. Those who were in his group were fortunate to receive countless freebie gifts over the years. He loved sharing his work with others.

Some of us that only got to know him in the last 5 years thought he was just a nice guy that liked to chit chat and make stuff. Boy were we wrong! Gregg sported the name Legendary but little did we know that he earned it.

That vision became Antiquity, and it wasn’t just one sim; it was a whole continent of regions, each with its own character.

At its peak, Antiquity had dozens of regions, and was one of the largest and most active roleplay worlds in Second Life. Koshari Mahana of Kitely said “Gregg was a mogul back then, he was a big deal, everyone wanted to be his friend and everyone interested in roleplay flocked to Antiquity.”

Antiquity is still alive today, as active as ever, even 18 years later. When news of Gregg’s passing spread, the community rallied together to send him off like the royalty he was. After all, he was a Barrymore. The funeral was grand and meticulously choreographed, a fitting tribute to the man who had touched so many lives. At the reception,

we all agreed: Gregg would have loved this, and we could only wish he could have been there to see it.

One of Second Life's early taglines was “It all starts with a cube,” and it was Gregg who rezzed that first cube for Antiquity. After many years of building and shaping Antiquity, Gregg decided to move on, and Gregg Legendary was born.

Some builders and creators were beginning to look for alternative platforms with lower costs, and fewer restrictions. One of these platforms was the InWorldz grid that was gaining traction in the OpenSim community. It was the new frontier and Gregg wasn't going to miss the ride.

Gregg spent some years there perfecting his vision for animated animals. Gregg’s animals were more than just part of his own creations. They became shared resources that others in the InWorldz and OpenSim communities could use and adapt for their own worlds. The animals were seen as high-quality assets that brought new life to many different types of virtual environments. Whether people were building historical, fantasy, or modern worlds, they could incorporate Gregg's animals to enhance the realism of their sims.

After a while in InWorldz Gregg moved on again, this time he decided to start his own Grid, his own world. He was the original creator and owner of the Discovery Grid. Kayaker Magic said “Gregg started Discovery Grid with a vision: He was in a wheelchair and wanted to start a grid where people like him, who used to be active in RL, could do adventurous things again.”

He recalled “Gregg invited me to come and set up some adventurous things to do there. I already had things like surfing and sailing… then, I built some new things just for Discovery Grid like horseback riding and dune buggies. The horses in the Spirit Rock Ranch region were a collaboration. The horses were originally designed and built by Gregg; and, I wrote the scripts.”

After a period of significant involvement in Discovery Grid, Gregg Legendary ultimately decided to move on from the platform. While the exact reasons for his departure remain largely private, several factors likely played a role in this transition including health

problems that made it more difficult to maintain the grid. Discovery Grid went on, under new management and lasted for many years, still offering the adventures Gregg had helped to set up years before

The last 5 years he spent in Kitley but he had building areas in several other grids. One of his last builds stands in Wolf Territories at the now closed

OpenSim Worlds Fair. Gregg created a half sim sized exhibit showing off all the whimsical animated creatures he had built in recent years.

His passing has inspired the Kitely community to create a Memorial Park, a place where friends can go to remember those who have passed on. A lifelike statue of Gregg Legendary will stand there, surrounded by some of his latest works, as a tribute to a man who gave so much to the virtual world communities and left an indelible mark on many.

Godspeed Mr. Legendary

AI Generated Poetry In Motion

Created with ChatGPY, Adobe Photoshop, and Suno Curated by Roxie Neiro (SL), Dr. Rosie Vojtek, (RL)

I first learned about AI Land and The Wrong Biennale when I received an invitation to learn more about it and AI Land in Second Life. The notecard with the information to attend on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 read:

Step into AI LAND, the embassy for immersive AI art in Second Life (McFarren sim), with a mirror installation preserved in Opensimulator.

Now entering its 7th edition, The Wrong turns the spotlight on AI-driven creativity across every medium— images, video, mesh, narrative, theatre, music, and code. As The New York Times notes, “Counting its viewership in the millions, The Wrong may be the world’s largest art biennale—the digital answer to Venice.”

Curator Art Blue will outline the vision and present the artists already on board. With three months of open “sandbox” time remaining, collaborators can still shape the space before AI LAND is “frozen” for exhibition.

You’ll also catch a condensed, on-site AI performance test of Waiting for Art, where AI avatars Vladimir and Estragon banter—and spar—with the audience. The full premiere debuts at the Grand Opening on 1 November 2025.

Up until we attended the AI Land session on May 6th, I hadn’t done much of anything with AI. But, after the presentation, I decided to give it a try and maybe submit something for the exhibition. With each iteration of poems and pictures I got more and more excited. All in all, I had a lot of fun experimenting with AI and have realized that I've only begun to scratch the surface of the possibilities and opportunities for using AL creatively and artistically. I am looking forward to learning more about the capabilities of AI and how artists are beginning to use AI to help them hone their craft.

I am not going to share the three pieces that I submitted to the AI Land exhibition. Instead when AI Land opens in November 2025, I encourage you to visit the show… not only to see my submissions, but also that of the other wonderfully creative artists whose work I greatly admire.

Because the theme for my work is Digital Legacy, I am, however, going to share a couple of pieces in this issue of VEJ. I have included the prompts and AI tools that were used for each piece.

Digital Legacy

Dreams archived in code and light,

Infinite footprints in virtual night.

Generations scroll through memory streams, In pixels and posts, we live our dreams.

Timelines echo with laughter and lore,

As avatars dance forevermore.

Legacies carved not in stone, but screen—

Living in bytes, where we’ve all been seen.

Each click a spark, each share a song,

Glowing reminders that we still belong.

Alive, reimagined through lenses wide,

Connections bloom on the digital tide.

Yesterday, today—forever online.

For the picture and poem above, ChatGPT was given the prompt: write an acoustic style poem about digital legacy and the celebration of our virtual lives.

Adobe Photoshop was given the prompt:use fantasy and bohemian, second life avatars as fairies, dinkies, dragons,animals, and people, dancing and laughing in a memorial garden.

Digital Dust

When I am gone, a whispered sigh, And silent keys beneath the sky. My physical form, to earth returns, But where does the digital me, where it yearns?

The pixels fade, the servers hum, My memories scattered, overcome. A thousand photos, a million words, Lost in the ether, like migrating birds.

My likes, my shares, my digital breath, A fleeting echo, beyond my death. Will algorithms remember my name? Or be deleted, a forgotten flame?

Is legacy measured in bytes and clicks? A trail of data, a digital fix?

Or is it the laughter, the love, the grace, That lives on in hearts, leaving no trace But warmth and a smile, a gentle embrace?

By Google Genesis using the prompt: create a short poem with a picture about digital dust and legacy.

Song is created and sung by Suno. Suno was given the poem to generate a song using a Modern Country style .

MASTER THE POSSIBILITIES ANIMASTER

By Cooper Swizzle (SL), Bruce Gross (RL)

See demonstration video on YouTube Cooper Swizzle contact information: bruce@traininginthe21stcentury.com

The ANIMASTER Animated Animesh Control System™ does exactly what its name says: It enables you to synchronize the sound and movement of animesh (e.g., characters) and prim-based objects. Do you want to see your characters wave at each other from a distance, come together and engage in a synchronized, animated discussion that includes voice and chat messages? With Animaster, you can make that happen.

With step-by-step training videos, 3 QuickStart Kits, and a Discord channel with how-to and community forums, you can quickly begin using ANIMASTER AACS™ to create dynamic, engaging environments and scenarios that bring characters, stories, and experiences to life for learning and entertainment.

I hope all other animesh out there get a chance to be interactive, like we are!

The ANIMASTER AACS™ Kit, brought to you by Training in the 21st Century, includes:

5 blank animesh characters (by Virtual Vignette)

Some basic animations

Scripts, guide notes and specialized notecards used by the ANIMASTER AACS™

A sliding door demonstration by Nynja Custom Scripts that will demonstrate some fun ways to enhance your scenes and can be used in multiple ways

3 QuickStart Kits by Virtual Vignette that will help you learn some basics of how ANIMASTER works and what you can do with it.

On our ANIMASTER AACS™ Discord channel

we provide:

Training videos related to the QuickStart Kits;

Short, step-by-step training videos designed to guide you through the adventure of creating your first Animastered animesh character; and,

Knowledge and understanding that will enable you to use ANIMASTER AACS™ in a multitude of ways.

Bring Your Animated Worlds to Life with ANIMASTER AACS™!

Create fully animated animesh scenes with voice and text. Let your imagination soar— there are no limits! The ANIMASTER AACS™ Kit is a game-changing tool for Kitely creators, offering an entirely new way to bring characters, stories, and experiences to life. Whether you're building immersive roleplay environments, captivating shows, or interactive educational experiences, ANIMASTER AACS™ makes it all possible.

The Possibilities Are Endless:

Holidays & Seasonal Events

• Roleplay Adventures

• Horror & Thriller Experiences

• Fashion Shows & Sideshows

• Musicals & Broadway-Style Plays

• Educational Presentations & Workshops

• Art Exhibits & Original Builds

• Adult Entertainment

• Guided Tours & Storytelling

… and much more!

Unlock the Full Potential of Your Creations

With ANIMASTER AACS™, you can synchronize animations, add voice, and enable text-based dialogue for a fully interactive experience. Whether you want to make your characters speak out loud and display local chat captions, or create intricate shows with seamless timing, ANIMASTER AACS™ empowers you to do it all.

Key Features Include:

Complete Show Creation: Produce everything from fashion shows and burlesque performances to horror experiences, roleplay events, and Broadway-style musicals.

Realistic Character Interactions: Set up synchronized animations that bring your characters to life, with the ability to trigger scenes, dialogue, and movements at the touch of a button.

One-Click Experiences: With the included Diorama Script, you can design interactive scenes that guests can enjoy with friends at the click of a button—perfect for parties, tours, or solo experiences.

Customizable Triggers: Choose who can initiate a scene: a single person, a group, or anyone nearby.

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY RATE:

It is currently available on the Kitely Market for $30.00. Through August 31st there is an Introductory Special Sale at $15.95.

A Tribute to the Thinkerer and His Digital Legacy

By Valibrarian Gregg (SL), Dr. Valerie Hill (RL)

Selby H. Evans, a psychology professor at Texas Christian University from the 1960s - 1990, contributed research focusing on schema learning and concept formation. His studies explored how individuals recognize patterns and acquire schemata, contributing to early cognitive psychology.

on Cookie in Second Life when we lost the space we were sharing with a university.

CVL began in 2006 and has been open to SL residents and learning communities for nearly twenty years on sims such as Info Island, Bradley University, and then on Cookie Island (Library Land).

Many early adopters of Second Life for education were championed and mentored by Selby Evans, the Thinkerer, who explored across the metaverse and generously shared his spaces for us to work and learn. The Community Virtual Library (CVL), for example, would not have survived without Thinkerer Evans. He graciously allowed the library to move to his space

The grand opening of the beautifully rebuilt CVL on Cookie was held in January of 2018. The building was created by CVL librarian, Dawn Greymyst. Packing all the books and resources was very similar to moving library resources in the physical world!

Thinkerer Selby had a futuristic vision of the metaverse. He explored beyond Second Life into worlds like 3Dwebworlds and Cybalounge, where he offered his time for office hours and brought CVL into new spaces. His iconic avatar became recognized across numerous virtual environments illustrating digital identity as part of digital citizenship.

The many spaces shared by Selby are now evolving and archiving his work is illustrating the need to understand digital legacy. For example, much of the 3D content built by the Community Virtual Library in Kitely had to be moved very quickly and permissions

(ownership) made it very difficult. Selby did a great job preparing us all to take on his vision by backing off the New Media Arts board and helping us start metaverselibraries.org as a place to collaborate and network as partners. He mentored an amazing “sidekick,” Jamie Jordan, who was at his side in many worlds and with whom he worked tirelessly across the metaverse well into his 90s!

His vision provided us the momentum and enthusiasm to embrace immersive learning without getting discouraged and he was a pioneer in showing us the importance of digital legacy.

once, when I was traveling to Texas, I asked if I could plan a visit. He replied, “You don’t need to come here to see me because I see you all the time in virtual worlds!” Selby was a model digital citizen, realizing that your digital identity is YOU.

The last time I was with Selby, the Thinkerer, in Second Life was at the Virtual Worlds Education Roundtable in October 2023. Selby was no longer able to log into SL shortly after that and I happened to take a snapshot which is a cherished photo - similar to any cherished photo I have in the physical world capturing meaningful memories.

This photo is part of a digital legacy. It is an example of how much of our lives are spent in digital spaces (most content being born digital) and how we live as digital citizens. Selby understood that in the metaverse we have the opportunity to learn and work together in richly engaging and meaningful ways– not simply viewing through a webcam or watching a presentation

together, but through interactions in a real, albeit virtual, place.

You can think of your digital legacy as your personal identity that lives on the computer, as well as on the internet. I never met Selby in the physical world and

The metaverse is a place- not an app. How grateful I am to have had such an amazing mentor!

The Road to Sarabande

By Steve Ruhig (SL), Steve Busonik, PhD (RL)

Unfeasible Forests

Theater in Second Life is logistically, if not aesthetically, an oxymoron: for the most part, we can implement special effects and stagecraft that Broadway and the West End would envy; our dancers can safely soar above the audience and, since they never tire, can dance all night long; and, we can perform breathtaking stunts and enact graphic, gruesome, horrifying deaths. But, that’s all on one side. On the other, an ensemble cannot realistically exceed 20 performers; we must pause frequently to reload animations; since no one wants to watch avatars stand around and mime lots of dialogue; we’re confined to musicals with plenty of dancing and sparse dialogue, potentially at the expense of coherent narrative; and, the number of technical vagaries that threaten every performance is so great that I prefer not to think about them.

And, then there’s the big difference: we’re not really performing! At least, we don’t perform in the same sense as real-life stage performers. Every minute of every SL performance is programmed. Every action— standing, walking, running, dancing, and all manner of stage business—that the audience sees, is part of a sequence of animations encoded in a special app that controls every avatar onstage. The same app broadcasts a sequence of commands to onstage props and scenery for everything - from opening doors to making mountains crumble. It takes me around 250 hours to map all of this out for a single show.

We do however perform in the same sense as film actors or novelists. In film production, the actor performs a scene repeatedly while being filmed from different camera angles. Afterward, this “performance” is carefully

edited and sequenced for best dramatic effect. In “performance,” a projectionist runs the film as if it depicted a seamless sequence of events. In other words, film is a product of mechanical reproduction, and so is Second Life theater.

Except, SL theater is a reproduction with no original. And in that sense, it’s a bit more like a novel, a representation of events that have never taken place.1

I find these drawbacks exciting. First, there is the challenge of overcoming the technical limitations. In real-life theater, when one actor says, “Give me that hammer,” the other actor gives him the hammer. Simple. In Second Life, that two-second action can take at least two hours to implement, involving prop creation, scripting, animation, and precise sequencing. Challenges like these fascinate me and I aspire to overcome them so that the audience detects none of it.

Second, there is the thrill of translating a purely imaginative vision into pixel-and-frame-rate reality. I love nothing better than the experience of realizing an idea I’ve thought about in such minute detail that I had to take it on faith that all these trees make a forest, because I’ve never seen the forest, and the forest may not even be feasible.

Blocking for Gustav Holst’s “The Dargason.” Each triangle represents a dancer’s position in space and time.

1 Let’s not inquire into the ontology of a novel that is adapted to film, shall we?

In performance, all of the markers in the previous image are removed

Finding My Feet, Founding My Theater

The road to Sarabande wended for several years, never with any conscious destination. But as Polonius says, “By indirections [we] find directions out,” and in hindsight the result seems inevitable.

In 2015, my dear friend and SL “sister,” Red Hykova, introduced me to Spot On Choreography Tools, the power and flexibility of which opened endless vistas for us. So, two years later Red and I founded River Island Performing Arts (RIPA), and from the beginning we went big! Over the next four years, we collaborated on Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Nutcracker, West Side Story, Grease, and Sweeney Todd. These were not highlights, but complete productions and we undertook each one with only a vague idea of how we would bring it to fruition. We helped keep each other fearless!

But, in the summer of 2021, health concerns forced Red to withdraw from theatrical production, a genuine blow. Wanting to preserve her legacy as the indelible force behind RIPA, I founded Sarabande as a separate undertaking. I also decided on a new direction: Sarabande would alternate between popular and “classical” programs. There was risk in this decision, but more serious shows spoke to my evolving artistic goals. Thankfully, audiences have held up for both kinds of shows, and, in fact, the “classical” shows have influenced the intellectual dimension of the popular shows. I don’t think it’s going too far to say that high-concept shows like Time’s Arrow and Exquisite Nihilism would never have come off as they did had I not also tackled monumental works like The Rite of Spring and Mahler’s Sixth Symphony. I was learning what my artistic goals should be and how I might invite the audience to come with me.

Don’t Paint a Picture, Tell a Story

The idea that crystallized for me is that dance, like music, must be dynamic. That sounds nearly tautological, I suppose. The essence of dance is movement, after all. But movement from what? And to what? And what does this before-now-after concatenation mean? If, you think in terms of pictures, they may be awfully pretty. But, there is no real reason for the audience to engage—that is, to follow along from beginning to end and gain some kind of insight, have a catharsis, or feel deeply about onstage events. Instead, tell a story. The key to narrative dynamism is always the music itself. In good music, the smallest gestures are fraught with meaning. And on a larger scale, key changes, mood contrasts, motivic development, and musical structure all unfold through time and, thus, tell a story about the way human beings feel, what matters to them, and how they are changed by experience. There is a kind of communion in engaging with art this way. As James Joyce said, art is a sacrament.

Of course, aesthetic commitments are pure aspiration, and I can’t say how often, or even whether, my productions have struck the audience as sacramental. But I shall strive on, buoyed by appreciative audiences who attend unfamiliar productions because they know that Sarabande always tries to say something meaningful.

Exquisite desolation: Red Hykova in Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending

The Ephemeral Legacy of Performance

We are such stuff

As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep.

Shakespeare, The Tempest 4.1.173-175

Since the theme of this issue is “Digital Legacy,” I’ll close with a few words on the uneasy relationship between performance—even in Sarabande’s attenuated sense of the word—and legacy. Back in my youth, as a professional cellist I had to come to early terms with the evanescence of musical performance. I worked for months on my senior recital, thinking about it every minute of every day. Worrying about it. Hoping for the best. Praying I would be ready. And then in an hour it was…gone. Just gone. And for all the world, the next day you could walk into the recital hall and it may as well have never happened. “Teardrops in rain,” as the memorable line from Blade Runner goes.

It was devastating. Until I realized it was beautiful.

We live, as Prospero calls it, “our little life,” and it is indeed surrounded by a sleep. A performance is the little life within our little life, and its profound truth is that it faithfully mirrors the little life that contains it: when it’s over, it ceases to exist, as will we one day. There can be no truth in performance without this faithful, graceful retirement from existence. Thus, I rarely take photos of our shows and never watch videos that people have been kind enough to make of them.

This hardly means that performance is inimical to legacy, however. For performance can become an ephemeral legacy, an act of willful remembrance for those we have lost. If the performance itself is lost, its legacy may live on in memory. The short-lived performance vanishes, but the performance itself is the legacy.

In 2020, my Second Life husband Ellbee died. We had been very close, rising for years at five every morning to meet in-world and discuss the books we read together. I could only process this loss by creating a ballet based on Michael Kamen’s symphonic poem, The New Moon in the Old Moon’s Arms. The story I constructed was a mythologization of our time together, including his untimely, peaceful for him but agonizing for me, departure. Several people, including those who hadn’t really known Ellbee, told me they wept during the performance. I doubt that today many of them remember him, the ballet, or even me. But they were moved in the moment. And that was the legacy I wanted.

The British art critic John Berger, in a brilliant essay entitled, “A Story for Aesop” (Granta 21, 1987) contemplates the final irony—and consummate beauty—of performance. Berger contemplates the way artists “fix the attention upon experience and thus on the need to redeem it from oblivion, to hold it tight in the dark.” He focuses on Velazquez’s portrait of Aesop and concludes:

I think he’s in front of a mirror. I think the entire painting is a reflection. Aesop is looking at himself. Sardonically, for his imagination is already elsewhere. In a minute he will turn and join his public. In a minute the mirror will reflect an empty room, through whose wall the sound of occasional laughter will be heard.

Many musicians, dancers, and actors will tell you that they are most alive while onstage. They are not just imagining how people see them; they are serving an idea… an idea into which they disappear and are seen only as its vehicles. The mirror indeed reflects an empty room.

And that’s beautiful!

Teleport to Sarabande Theater

Dr. Steve Ruhig is the director of Sarabande, a Second Life theater that produces ballet, musicals, and themed revues. Visit the Sarabande Theater website.

Linden Homes: Bellisseria Has

Second Life has recently seen an increase in new residents. If you are new to Second Life or even if you are not, but you are looking for a place to call your home this article is for you. Or, even if you have been in SL for a while, you may be tired of where you are living and ready to trade up to something new. The new Linden Lab homes in Bellisseria have so many options to choose from and, truly, there is something for everyone.

If you haven’t already, you are going to want to check out the new homes in Bellisseria! They are beautiful! They come in many different styles and designs with many different options and amenities..

A Linden Home is included free with your paid membership. Detailed information about the new Linden Homes can be found on the Second Life Website here; at the Belli Hub Demo area in Second Life here; or, learn about Bellisseria, Bellisseria

Has Something For Everyone!

events and also demo the homes here.

You will want to make sure to keep checking back on the Second Life Website because the Moles are working overtime, designing and releasing new themes and designs for different homes throughout the year. In addition, some of the homes are more popular than others, so if what you are looking for is not available, you can keep checking back on the website as the housing market is constantly changing.

But, first, before we continue, we want to make sure that anyone who still has a Legacy home and hasn’t traded up yet for a new Linden Home in the past couple of months knows that the Legacy homes and regions are going away. Linden Labs announced in May 2025 that they plan to retire some of the older regions which housed Legacy Linden Homes. Many residents have lived in these homes and regions for approximately 15+ years, and some are reluctant to leave their homes because they love them so much. We want you to know, we understand. But, that being said, the new Aspen Ridge Homes are a lot like the early Legacy Homes, but a lot better! And, with a lot more amenities. The Bellisseria region also changes by seasons (the only Linden Home region that does so thus far).

Unfortunately, if you snooze, you lose! You have no choice. But, we encourage you to check out the new options on the SL website listed above to see what “moving up” can give you. The best news for anyone who currently owns one of the Legacy homes, is that for a limited time, Linden Lab is inviting you to choose from one of the brand-new Bellisseria Linden homes. .But you need to act fast! Linden Labs will personally assign a new Legacy home, but only for a limited time.

This special option for previous Legacy owners is usually only available to Premium

Plus members. All you need to do is to find an available home in a location in Bellisseria of your choice and tradeup from your Legacy Home. You can select any available home in the themed location in Bellisseria and Linden Labs will help you secure your new home! However, Ranch, Mediterranean & Thousand Islands (Tiki) themed homes require a Premium Plus membership upgrade, but all other choices are available. If you want to know more about upgrading your membership along with the costs and benefits for a Free, Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus plan, visit here for more details.

We know many of you love your Legacy home; but this is a wonderful opportunity to upgrade and join the Bellisseria Community, which sponsors many events and special activities. For more detailed information about selecting a house, read HOW TO HELP PEOPLE MIGRATING FROM LEGACY LINDEN HOMES by Teresa Firelight, The Gazette, June 28, 2025 here.

If you are a new resident or someone looking for a change, you too, will want to learn more about Bellisseria and the beautifully themed, fun communities. You can learn more about Bellisseria from The Gazette, which lists the Bellisseria events calendar, articles, blogs and places of interest which are worth checking out. You can also join the Bellisseria Events and Bellisseria Entertainers and Events groups in Second Life to stay current with what is happening in Bellisseria.

So, whether you are looking to replace your Legacy Linden Home and/or you are interested in a new adventure and a place to live, be sure to explore Bellisseria and if it fits what you are looking for, we encourage you to make the move. There are a number of resources that can help you learn more about Bellisseria and perhaps decide to make the move into one of the newly designed theme houses. Some of our favorite URLs and SLURLS are listed below. These resources include: The SL website which posts the houses available (which are updated often); the Bellihib Demo Homes (which you can rez and walk through); and, Bellisseria Help Group which are staffed by Official Second Life Mentors. Three of my favorite groups are the Bellisseria

Citizens, Bellisseria Help, and Second Friends For Life. All three groups are active, with members posting events and activities as well as able to answer questions or help you get your questions answered about Bellisseria…. And quite frankly, all things Second Life!

The Bellisseria homes, which are available in many different options and regions, are amazing. So, if you haven’t checked them out, be sure to visit the Bellihub Linden Demo Homes. There are a lot of different styles and designs to see, and even among each house type there are numerous options and amenities.

While you are at the Bellihub Linden Demo Homes you can talk with one of the SL Bellihub Mentors and get your questions answered with no pressure to upgrade your membership or even trade your home. In fact one of the perks of the Bellisseria homes is that if you change your mind and want to try a different house and/or themed community, you can simply give back your current Belli home and select the same home in a different area and/or select a different style home altogether. This is common as each time Linden Labs releases either new regions and/or new homes, residents often trade their current house hoping to get something more to their liking and interests (e.g., close to the water, a farm community).

Again, if you have a Legacy House, you have limited time to take advantage of the Linden Lab offer to upgrade. But, even if you do not own a Linden Lab home and are curious about what they offer, be sure to check out the numerous different themed houses available to SL residents. We are sure you will be surprised and glad you did! As we said, there is something in Bellisseria for everyone!

Happy House Hunting!

Links:

Bellisseria Linden Homes Land Page

Bellihub Linden Demo Homes

VWEC Turned 4!

Special Anniversary Celebration May 17 at 11 AM SLT VWEC Deck, Second Life Education Reserve

Valerie Hill, Ph.D (RL), Valibrarian Gregg (SL)

Becky Adams, Ph.D (RL), Elli Pinion (SL)

Marie Vans, Ph.D (RL),

The Virtual Worlds Education Consortium (VWEC) celebrated its fourth Anniversary on May 17 at 11 AM SLT at the VWEC Deck in the Second Life Education Reserve. This milestone marks three years of community, creativity, and collaboration in the world of virtual education.

VWEC officially launched with its Grand Opening on May 21, 2021. Since then, it has grown into a thriving network of educators, researchers, and institutions committed to exploring the power of immersive environments for teaching and learning. The mission of VWEC is to bring educators together to share what has been successful within our educational community and to collectively address the challenges that come with teaching across virtual platforms.

As part of the broader VWEC Eduverse Regions initiative, the Consortium is helping lead the

movement of educational groups into a central hub on the Second Life main grid. This move is designed to unite educational communities and promote stronger connections and shared opportunities. The goals of the Eduverse relocation effort includes creating welcoming and easily discoverable spaces for newcomers, offering safe and supportive environments for active educators, and providing gateway experiences that highlight the educational potential of social virtual worlds. These goals also emphasize advancing collaboration, documenting best practices, advocating for Second Life as a powerful tool for education, and upholding a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Over the past four years, VWEC has grown to include 51 groups with regions located in the Eduverse and now has more than 470 active members in the VWEC Group. Supporting this vibrant network are 15 dedicated teams that ensure smooth operations and deliver programming

honored to celebrate our past and present, as we look forward to the future of education in virtual worlds.

This year’s anniversary celebration featured a welcome by the always interesting Madori Linden, live music by the amazing Ari, an inspiring art exhibit by acclaimed virtual artist Bryn Oh, and a special presentation by Meryl McBride who shared her experiences in teaching and learning in virtual environments. At the Ceremony, Elli Pinion also announced the new VWEC Logo which we are all excited about using. Awards were given to the Data Team and Avatar Scholar Team for the work they have done this year. To close out the celebration, DJ Exxx Magic hosted a festive dance party, complete with fireworks to light up the virtual sky. A video of the event can be found here

Whether you’ve been part of VWEC from the

such as the Expert Series talks, community chats, Volunteers at the Info Center, and Quarterly Meetings that support professional growth and community engagement.

VWEC commemorated its four year anniversary on May 17, 2025 at 11 AM SLT at the VWEC Deck in Second Life. VWEC was

beginning or are just discovering what we’re all about, this event was a great opportunity to connect with fellow educators and celebrate the journey so far.

Dr. Valerie Hill, PhD is an Information Science Researcher and the Director at Community Virtual Library (retired educator, librarian, professor of library and information science at Texas Womans University).

Dr. Becky Adams, Ph.D, is Co-coordinator of the Virtual Worlds Education Consortium (retired educator, instructional designer and Director of Online Course Development at the University of New Mexico).

Dr. Marie Vans, Ph.D, is an associate professor in the Department of Systems Engineering at Colorado State University, as well as an adjunct professor at San Jose State University. She teaches courses and does research on the use of Virtual Environments and Virtual Reality for teaching and training.

A Special Tribute to Dancers Yao

By Lynne Berrett (RL), Lissena Wisdomseeker (SL)

Dancers Yao (SL), Kara Bennett PhD (RL), was a resident of Second Life from 2007 to 2023. Her ageless spirit lives on through the magic drums she left us when she died unexpectedly a few days before her 80th birthday.

Dancers was a founding member of our Whole Brain Health Collective; volunteers who build and lead our many hosted programs and self-guided activities for lifelong learning on Inspiration Island and Bay. Although she and I spent many hours over many years talking by phone, I never met her in person or even saw a picture of her in the physical world.

That didn’t make any difference to the wide-ranging conversations we had or to the shock of her sudden death. I called the Los Angeles police from across the country

and asked them to make a wellness check when she didn’t answer her phone. At least we had closure, which often does not occur when someone disappears from SL.

In her SL Profile Dancers describes herself as a psychologist and educator, co-founder of the nonprofit Elder Voices dedicated to Human Rights -- especially for seniors and Healthcare. She and its other co-founder, Kazuki Magic/Dr. Susan Patrice Weiner, a neurologist, joined SL in 2007 to explore how a virtual world might help Kara’s father, who was experiencing mild cognitive impairment, retain his independence and sense of self.

Dancers wrote a book she entitled “Mind Dances,” drawing on what they learned in Second Life, intending it to be a guide others could use. I have a copy of the manuscript draft – she was always updating it until the day she died. I hope there can be a way to publish it on her behalf for the benefit of humanity.

Not long after Dancers’ father died, Kazuki developed a rare cancer and also died. Dancers was in deep mourning, on the point of leaving SL, when I met her at a Nonprofit Commons program in 2013. She wasn’t in good health herself; for years she had been suffering the effects of long-term Lyme Disease which had led to breathing and heart problems.

She told me about her interest in “problembased learning” – in simple terms, learning how to develop a mental map to get from where we are now in life to where we want to go – and about the drums she had created in SL to teach anyone, through immersion, how to use that process. Of course I was delighted when she decided to stay in SL and we could begin working together.

(SL), Kara Bennet, Ph.D (RL)

She was a rare combination of a scientist whose dissertation studied the thought processes doctors used to make diagnoses (she did this by applying a novel computerscience method back in the 1970’s!) and a humanist who focused on sensory experience as the best guide for charting a wise course through life.

The drums were her way of making personal learning interactive and playful. They have been used for many different purposes in SL; from teaching about digital literacy to education to healthcare.

Whole Brain Health is so lucky to house her favorite version, The Galaxy Language. The seven drums there teach how we can use symbols, images, sound and our senses, as well as words to communicate life-affirming messages in a universal language that even extraterrestrials will understand.

Over the years, through our wide-ranging conversations, I learned about her remarkable life as a dancer, an actress, a psychologist, a daughter, and a friend. She was upset that her physical voice was affected by her health issues, but in spite of that, she brought her drums to events we did together in SL, like SL Birthday celebrations, Opensim conferences, and the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) Conference.

Her spirit and Kazuki’s live on in the Memorial Garden at Nonprofit Commons. You can learn a lot about - and from - her by reading her human rights manifesto there.

Her NPC office on Aloft is next to our tents. She built an active volcano and a variety of drums there to represent the many causes she championed.

She was a modest yet formidable person. I can imagine her reading this and marveling that she is still remembered. She would say in her gentle, smiling way, “The best thing you can do to honor me is to follow the path of the drums to make a better world for everyone.” You can do that at the Galaxy Language on Inspiration Island.

Nonprofit Commons (NPC) Common Ground Networking Party August 2025 (Yellow Theme)

A Legacy in Pixels

By Jena Ball (RL), Jenaia Morane (Virtual)

I like to imagine my life as an enormous sheet of watercolor paper tacked to the wall of my soul. Everyone and everything I encounter - from my fiercely independent neighbor (who uses her wheelchair to take bags of trash to the dumpster) to the words of Mary Oliver being read aloud to me on a boat ride in Second Life - leaves a watery, indelible mark on that paper. Watery because the colors and edges dissolve and fade and indelible because even the smallest marks have a way of resurfacing and bleeding into emerging stories.

I first began adding virtual colors to my watercolor paper 17 years ago when I entered the virtual world of Second Life (SL). Unlike other massively multiplayer online role-playing video games (MMORPGs), SL was never intended to be a game per se. You can create and participate in games of course, but the basic premise is that you are free - and given the tools you need - to create any kind of life you can imagine. This is accomplished by 3D building, changing the look and feel of your avatar, and interacting and collaborating with others. The SL Destination Guide currently lists 44

different categories of SL experiences - everything from animals, nature parks, and gardening to science and technology, historical sites, and fantasy fairs. You can purchase and terraform land, build homes, attend classes and support groups, take hot air balloon rides, walk along white sand beaches, and enjoy live music concerts. And yes, if games are your thing, you can find and play them as well.

My first experience with a legacy in Second Life was at a memorial service held for a woman called The Sojourner. Affectionately referred to as “Soj” by her SL family, The Sojourner was the avatar of Karen (Derk) Gans - a woman who had survived multiple strokes and was the mother of a son with Asperger’s. She entered SL after being invited to take part in study to determine if SL could enhance the lives of those living with Asperger’s and went on to found Dreams, a community that supports both stroke survivors and people on the autism spectrum. The community is still active today.

Soj’s memorial raised many questions for me. “Why should a legacy left by an avatar be less valuable than one left by a person who never experienced virtual reality?” I asked. “And given the unique opportunities for self-discovery in virtual worlds, couldn’t an avatar’s legacy be as meaningful as that of a person who lived only in physical reality?”

The answers to my questions came in the form of a job. I was hired in 2008 by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to help develop an HIV/AIDS sim in SL. Part of the research for the project involved interviewing several dozen people who were living with HIV. Out of these interviews came the story of a man named Uncle D told as an immersive, interactive 3D build. Visitors to Uncle D’s story took a boat ride to his home where they heard his journals read aloud, watched his TV, listened to his phone messages, and played with his cat. In this way the stigmas, stereotypes, and fears associated with HIV/AIDS fell away as they got to know Uncle D as a person.

Shortly after completing the Uncle D Quest, I began work on the 3D AIDS Quilt. I saw the quilt as a way to empower others to tell the stories of those they’d lost to AIDS. The quilt consisted of 64 rooms placed in concentric squares around an enormous, hollow tree where concerts, workshops, and World AIDS Day events were held each year. Both individuals and groups affiliated with HIV/AIDS research, education, and outreach - including a recreation of an AIDS orphanage in Africa - filled the rooms with memories.

clinicians. Your 3D stories are helping them think about the social and emotional effects of disease.” I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.

One of the most unexpected and gratifying results of creating the Quest and Quilt was that teachers from around the world began bringing their classes to visit. I would log in to find large numbers of avatars gathered at one or both of the islands. When I went to investigate, I found teachers and students working their way through the stories. They came from a variety of disciplines - psychology, sociology, history, anthropology, and premed. When I asked the pre-med school professor why he brought his students he told me, “I want them to become kind and caring doctors as well as accomplished

Fast forward to 2025. The original Uncle D Quest and 3D AIDS Quilt are long gone with the funding that supported them. This is one of the most frustrating and frankly heartbreaking things about working in a virtual world where everything, including avatars, exist only as pixels that can be erased in an instant. This is why, after 17 years of losing people and places in virtual worlds, I've become passionate about capturing and preserving 3D stories for others to know, love, and learn from. To learn more about my work visit: Dreaming Wide Awake.

“Life is not about weathering the storm... it's about dancing in the rain.”

This piece is dedicated to those we’ve lost but whose legacies live on:

• Namav Abramav (Nick Dupree) a Talmud scholar, poet, and disabled rights activist who suffered from Muscular Dystrophy. Despite being on a ventilator 24/7 and unable to move anything but his thumb, Namav helped spearhead efforts to bring differently abled folks into Second Life. Read his story here.

• Lorivonne Lustre (Lorraine Mockford) a terrific educator, accomplished organizer, and even better friend. She is sorely missed.

• Taiko Silversmith (Diane Meyer) a poet, songwriter, bass player, and co-founder of the group Tomorrowland. Taiko was the best kind of friendwise, compassionate, and always willing to listen.

• Tim (Piedmont Cartauld) was a tough love kind of guy with a heart of gold. He fell in love with a friend of mine and they complemented each other perfectly.

• Kat (Kat Klata) co-founder of the Multiple Sclerosis Help and Support Group in Second Life. She was a bit of a busybody but I loved her for it. Her best advice? “Life is not about weathering the storm...it's about dancing in the rain.”

• Kat (Kat Vargas) a smart, sassy, and totally irreverent manager of live musicians in Second Life who kept everyone in line while still being their friend.

Resources

The Uncle D Quest has been rebuilt and can be visited in SL here.

The serialized novel based on the quest can be read here.

The Tree of Hugs (a 3D tree that emits the names of those we’ve lost) is accepting names both in SL and online. It can be visited in SL here.

Names can be added online here.

I continue to write about the amazing people and projects in virtual worlds. To read about some of them, visit Dreaming Wide Awake and click on Blogs.

SL PHOTOGRAPHY

By Holly Hammond Teddy Bear

Photography is one of the largest hobbies in Second Life.

Exploring new destinations or revisiting favorite spots provide endless opportunities for capturing memorable photos.

Photography adds so much value to our lives ─ by recording special events, people, and places, while also helping us learn and grow. It allows us to share our lives and experiences in meaningful ways, and it

allows us to engage and have fun with other people.

Choosing photography as a hobby will offer so many possibilities for creative expression and technical expertise.

Given that photography has so many elements ─ the science of light, the technology of the viewer & camera, the creative artistic side – there is a lot to learn.

If you want to start a photography hobby, there are a few skills that will improve your experience:

However, if you want to take professional looking photos, you must use Firestorm.

1) Download Firestorm Viewer

When it comes to a photography fight between the Firestorm and the Linden Labs viewer, there’s not much of a fight ─ the LL viewer loses before the bell even rings.

Both viewers can take photos and both have nice options for saving to your hard drive, inventory, profile, and some of the social media sites such as Facebook or Flickr.

Both viewers are perfectly fine if all you want to do is take snapshots at parties.

The difference between the LL viewer and the FS viewer is like the difference between a point-and-shoot camera and a high-end digital camera.

The reason for this is simple ─ Phototools.

Firestorm’s Phototools give you an incredible degree of control over your photos.

When it comes to choosing a viewer for photography, there’s really no choice, you must use the Firestorm viewer and make use of its Phototools.

Teddy Bear has 8 years’ experience teaching Photography at Caledon Oxbridge University & Builder’s Brewery.

Beginning Photography - Tuesday’s at 7 pm SLT @ Caledon Oxbridge University

Photo Salon – Intermediate Photography - Wednesday’s at 7 pm SLT @ Caledon Oxbridge University

Photo Salon – Intermediate Photography – Thursday’s at 11 am SLT @ Builder’s Brewery

2) Take High Resolution Photos

Your viewer is your Camera in Second Life.

Maximizing the graphics settings is the first step in taking High Resolution Photos.

Select the size of the snapshot from the drop-down. You want to save the maximum image size to your hard drive for image editing.

Check the HIGH-RES SNAPSHOT option on the Advance Tab. If you enable this, all subsequent snapshots will be taken at 4 times the normal size.

My Current Window size is 1920 x 1017 px. Using the High-Res Snapshot my maximum image size 7680 x 4068 px.

High-Res Snapshot are important for editing & enhancing photos with a graphics editor.

While you are on the Advance Tab, click 'QUIET SNAPSHOTS TO DISK,' to remove the shutter sound you get when you take a snapshot.

3) Take Lots of Pictures

The Biggest open secret in photography is to start taking lots of pictures.

You do not have control over the environment. It’s easy to miss minor details while you are busy taking photos.

The more photos you have the better your chances of getting that perfect shot.

You cannot select a photo that was never taken!

You should have a theme in mind: some idea of what you want the photograph to illustrate, or mood you want to evoke.

Take a quick pass through all your photographs and weed out the obviously bad ones.

After the first pass, look carefully at the photographs for lighting, composition, and subject. Look at the details.

Given that photography has so many elements – the science of light, the technology of the viewer & camera, the creative artistic side – there is a lot to learn.

So, whatever your age, now is the perfect time to start a photography hobby.

By Kimm Starr

Three years ago, Karima Hoisan of Kitely gave Kimm Starr a tour of Gino’s Butterfly, a memorial sim she created in honor of her real-life friend Gino on the Kitely Grid in OpenSim. This full-sim tribute takes visitors on a ride through Gino’s life. However, Karima’s deepest inspiration for the memorial was to share his art with the world.

Gino left behind not only sketches and paintings but also a collection of fashion illustrations from his early years as a designer in 1960s Beverly Hills, California. Rather than letting these treasures gather dust in a drawer, Karima chose to bring them to life in a virtual space. As an artist herself, she found the process of building this tribute to be not only a labor of love but also a cathartic journey through grief, one that allowed her to honor his memory in the most meaningful way.

As Karima and Kimm walked through the memorial, passing by the many defining moments of Gino’s life, they eventually arrived at an amazing display, dozens upon dozens of his sketches moving in an arranged line, as if part of a fashion show. Awed by the collection, Kimm remarked, “One day, we will do something with this work.”

Two years later, while helping to organize the OpenSim World’s Fair, Kimm found herself planning a large fashion pavilion for exhibits. The moment she envisioned the space, she immediately thought of Gino’s drawings. For the last two years, both his artwork and Karima’s memorial had lingered in the back of her mind, waiting for the right opportunity. This was it… the perfect moment to bring his designs to life. And so, A Designer’s Legacy: From Paper to Pixels was born.

As both a real-life artist and an OpenSim creator, Kimm set out to capture the elegance and sophistication of the 1960s fashion world. However, this project presented a unique challenge. “I’m not a fashion designer in-world, but I create Animesh, so this was going to push me in a new direction,” she admitted.

The first step was designing the models. “I went straight to the source and created them as Gino saw them back then, long and lanky, embodying the essence of 1960s fashion illustration,” Kimm explained. She immersed herself in research online, studying vintage fashion sketches to ensure authenticity. “I wanted the Animesh models to look like they had stepped right out of Gino’s original drawings. My goal was to capture his vision and bring it to life.”

To begin the process, Kimm turned to AI, using MidJourney to generate the faces of the models that reflected the artistry and spirit of Gino’s original designs.

Next came the challenge of recreating the clothing. “I was able to replicate some pieces using my collection of 3D clothing I’ve gathered over the years,” Kimm explained. To match Gino’s original designs, she used a photoshop like program to rework textures, recreating the fabrics and patterns he had envisioned. However, some of his creations were so unique that no existing pieces could capture them.

Once again, Kimm turned to AI for assistance in crafting the more original designs. “I’m in awe of the incredible fashionistas in-world who create and share their work with us,” she said. “This project gave me a newfound respect for the artistry and effort they put into making us look good in-world.” Most of the designer’s in-world use a program like Marvelous Designer, but Kimm didn't have the time to learn such a complex program in this short of time.

Kimm began deconstructing his drawings. “I had to make sure the pieces created in the 3D AI programs could be rigged, so the images needed to be in a T-pose,” she explained. “This isn’t the typical way to create clothing for in-world use, but it was the best approach given the tools I had.”

Using Meshy and 3DAIStudio, Kimm was amazed by the results. The AI-generated pieces not only captured the essence of Gino’s original sketches but looked as if he had personally made them in 3D. “Seeing his designs come to life in this way was incredible,” she said.

Next was creating the set, capturing 1960’s Beverly Hills. What better way than with the Beverly Hills Hotel as a backdrop.

With the exhibit complete, it was time for Karima to see the finished work. “When Kimm invited me to take a look, I had no idea what to expect,” Karima recalled. “But the moment I saw what she had done with Gino’s sketches, I cried. I could hardly speak. All I could think was, Oh my God, how Gino would have loved this… his sketches transformed into living models, walking the catwalk!”

For Kimm, the experience was just as profound. “This has been one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever worked on in virtual reality,” she shared. "It was a beautiful reminder that art and love don’t just exist, they inspire, connect and stay with us through time. We must keep them alive by sharing them."

If you would like to visit the Memorial and Exhibit on the Kitely Grid in OpenSim.

Post on Kitely blog and invitation Fashion Show and party

Link to the actual Fashion Show

A Designer's Legacy: From Paper to Pixels by Karima Hoisan

“He flew from our hands”

The Maya ARE, not WERE! A Museum of Maya and Inca Civilizations

By Dana Enyo

INTRODUCTION

The Museum of Maya & Inca Civilizations (Museo de las Civilaciones Maya e Inca) is part of Ayuda Virtual, which is the Community Gateway sim for Spanish speakers. It's a pretty big building, with about 2/3 devoted to the Maya, and the rest to the Inca. Both of these civilizations were incredibly advanced for their times, and the remains of their ancient cities are fascinating places to visit.

HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM

The project started because I wanted to share my own interest in the Maya. I live on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and all of our indigenous people are of Maya ancestry. Thousands of people speak the Maya language (although very few can read or write it). Partially restored Maya cities are all over our Peninsula and I've visited many of them (and climbed lots of pyramids)! There used to be a "Visit Mexico" sim in SL that had a beautiful reproduction of the Pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza, but that's been gone for years. (I climbed that one back when it was permitted.)

So, I knew I wanted to create something; I just needed a place to put it! I'm a maker and seller of clothing in SL, and one of my shops was on a sim full of art galleries surrounding The Fern Jazz & Blues Lounge.

I talked with the owner, the late Gypsy Fairfield, about what I wanted to do. She walked me over to a big empty gallery and said, "Here you go!" I chose photos from my computer and made new graphics, wrote explanations, put them all up on panels and had my MUSEO MAYA up in a week.

In 2019 I visited Peru and learned a lot about the Inca civilization. Many people mush civilizations like the Maya, Inca and Aztec all together, but we're talking thousands of miles, and hundreds or thousands of years of difference! By that time I had a shop in a GLBT community, and that gave me an idea.

We all know what the Rainbow Flag is. But you probably don't know that the flag of the city of Cuzco--the center of the Inca world, and therefore, of course, the whole Universe --is also a rainbow flag, but with one more bar. That similarity was enough to hang a museum on and, once again, I asked the sim owner and got a space!

First Museo Inca

The first Museo Inca was a tiny storefront but was enough to scratch the surface of this vast empire. Unlike the Maya whose civilization spans at least 4,000 years, the Inca built their huge empire with massive structures in only 150 years! Who knows what South America would be like today if the Spanish hadn't shown up in 1530 with guns and European diseases, but there would certainly be millions more people today speaking Quechua.

I added a small Museo Maya across the street a short while later. But I was really pretty frustrated by what I could do in these tiny storefronts. I knew about the Ayuda Virtual sim and went over to visit. They already had a museum of famous Latino people, so I sought out the sim owner and asked if there was space for a combined Maya/Inca museum.

It just goes to show once again that it always pays to ask! In a very short time, owner Damian Zhaoying had built me a building and I got to work on the displays to fill up the space!

CURATING THE MUSEUM: WHAT GOES IN THERE?

I started with things I already had from the small museums, along with new photos I had taken on my travels. But one thing I really wanted to create was a TIMELINE of the millenia of Maya civilization, and this new museum gave me a wall long enough to do that. Since this is Ayuda Virtual, EVERYTHING had to be bilingual, so I elected to do two long timelines end-to-end. The rest of the layout branched off from there.

MayaInca Museum Timeline

ORGANIZING THE DISPLAYS

There's no one good answer to how to organize a museum. In the Grand Museum of the Maya World in Merida, Yucatan, they present the Maya story BACKWARDS. Because nearly everyone walks in the door

thinking of the Maya in the past tense, the first room is called "The Maya Today"-- where you can find Maya communities (there's a big one in northern California) and how the estimated 7 million Maya people live today. The Maya ARE, not WERE.

MayaInca Museum Maya Entry

So you walk into my museum through the door of a present day Maya oval house. A little sign at the entrance gives you a notecard, a complete guided tour of the entire museum in both English and Spanish. It's everything I would be saying if I walked you through myself.

The first panel you see is SABIAS QUE?/DID YOU KNOW? There we start right off with the fact that the Maya ARE here today. And under your feet is a giant map of the Maya world so you see the area of Mesoamerica that you're going to learn about.

That Timeline is the commanding feature of the room. The Spanish and English versions take most of the left wall. Walk down that wall towards the back to learn the very basic history.

I was very fortunate when owner Damian asked me one day if I'd like more space. You know the answer to that! Next thing I knew there were several meters added to the back of the building! Now, I could add two things I really wanted--a Mayan pyramid, and a ball court.

THE ANCIENT, SACRED BALL GAME

The Ball Game is found in various forms all over Mesoamerica. Nobody really knows the rules.

Over many hundreds of years and so many different locations, the rules certainly aren't all the same. We do know that the ball was hard leather and rubber, and that it could never be touched with the hands. The court was long and skinny with straight or angled walls at the sides, but there is a huge range of sizes! Just like today we play touch football, soccer or basketball in whatever space we've got, they, too, carved out a ball court where they could. Many of the courts had a stone ring embedded in each of the two-sided walls, but there's no way that the only means to score points was to shoot the ball through there. Today there is a Ball Game league in Yucatan and a demonstration game on the main plaza in front of Merida Cathedral every Saturday evening.

The ball game is so important that it's actually part of the Popul Vuh, the Maya creation myth. It's a complex and fun story about the gods of the underworld capturing a Maya leader, his sons, known as the Hero Twins, going down there and playing the Ball Game against the gods, winning the game and their father's freedom. Part of the story is that they cheat--all's fair! The three of them are all heavenly bodies now--gods themselves.

Other stories around the Ball Game are that two kings would decide that, instead of going to war, it would make a lot more sense to just have a ball game. The winner (e.g., best players, warriors) gets the losers' kingdom. They might be the Chosen Ones in the next round of sacrifices to the Gods. Ingenious, these ancient Maya.

OTHER DISPLAYS IN THE MAYA SECTION

On the Maya side of the Museum you'll see displays about the Maya calendars and their numbering and writing systems. The spoken Maya language was carried through the centuries, but the written one was lost when the Spanish priests and soldiers destroyed or burned everything they could find. From the tiny fraction left, linguists have taken decades to "crack the Mayan code" and learn how to understand most of it. I have a digital dictionary, and I can write words with the phonetic Maya glyphs. I have my name -- "DAYnah" -- tattooed on my arms and on a choker I always wear.

Maya Inca Museum Stela

There are also photos I've taken of several Maya structures. But it's really important to remember: when these cities were alive, the buildings weren't bare rock like this. They were covered in brilliant white plaster, trimmed in bright colors, with beautiful paintings on some of the walls. The cities must have been really beautiful.

Finally in the back, I have a display of Maya fashion. The HUIPIL is the classic Maya ladies' dress and is still worn today. They can be very simple, made from one piece of cloth draped over the shoulders and sewn up the sides; or really elaborate with several layers and lots of lace! There is nearly always embroidery, though NEVER a seam along the shoulder.

Maya Inca Museum Maya Fashion

One display isn't Maya at all, although it sure affected where they decided to live! The Chicxulub Meteor -- you probably know that as "The Meteor That Killed All The Dinosaurs" -- struck the Earth just north of our Peninsula. Besides wiping out much of the life on the planet (not just the dinosaurs), it created a ring of cracked ground about 60 miles in radius. All around that ring, there are hundreds of places where the ground fell in, revealing a cavern of water below. For the Maya, these were life-giving water sources and good places to build cities, since ALL the water on the Peninsula is underground! Today, many of them are ecotourism sites where you can go swim in the crystal-clear fresh water.

There's even a famous one you can visit while you're shopping! Google "Costco cenote.”

THE INCA CIVILIZATION -- FAST AND FURIOUS!

Unlike the Maya civilization that lasted several thousand years, the Inca Empire was only around for about 150. While the Maya grew and developed slowly as individual city-states, the Inca started in the

city of Cuzco, Peru and just started spreading out and conquering... everybody! They divided the world into four quadrants centered on one spot in central Cuzco. They built roads and had an elaborate communication system of runners that carried messages to and from the far corners of the Empire.

The Inca were incredible administrators. They walked in and said "Look, we don't care who your gods are; continue worshipping any way you want. We're going to govern you and you'll work for us, but we're also going to feed you and protect you." They did that really well, even building warehouses, with up to two years of grain stored in case of drought or other disasters.

We wish we knew a whole lot more about the Inca. But unlike the Maya, they had no written language! The only kind of record they left behind were bundles of strings called Quipus. A quipu looks like an elaborate necklace, but the color and type of every string; the position and kind of every knot, has a meaning. The best guess is that the quipus were ACCOUNTING records -- they record things like money and inventory, and perhaps dates. Some archaeologists and linguists think there could actually be a language tied up in there, but there will never be a way to know.

As you explore this side of the museum, you're looking at some huge Inca structures. Some of these were built with small stones stacked the way the Maya and many other cultures did it. But the "Imperial Inca" architecture involved hauling huge rocks and shaping them, with stone tools, so they fit together perfectly. You can easily see the difference in the photos.

BUT SEE FOR YOURSELF!

Thanks to the Universidad de San Martin de Porres in Lima, Peru, you can walk through a huge, incredibly accurate reproduction of the great Inca citadel Machu Picchu right here in SL! I've been to the real one, and it's a really long and expensive process--way too much to take a busload of students up there every semester. They have an amphitheater to give an introductory presentation and then they can take the students on a full tour. It's certainly not like really being there, but gives a far better experience than any kind of slide show or video ever could.

GROW YOUR OWN MUSEUM!

What does it take to create a museum in SL? First, you have to have a topic you really love. I certainly hope that you will feel my passion for these people and places as you walk through the building. Then, you just start gathering the materials. if you do have a deep interest, you'll probably have photos, graphics, websites... maybe even material you've already written in blogs or letters or on social media. If you're in academia, you may have friends or professional colleagues from whom you can get personal insights. And then you need a place to put it! Look at all the places you visit in SL--maybe there's a favorite urban sim with an empty storefront. Find the owner (right-click a building and use the pie menu to find INSPECT) and tell them what you'd like to do. They may not be able to accommodate you, but might have a friend who can. Remember "The answer to the unasked question is always NO.” So, ASK!

Once you have your museum, spread the word! Be sure to apply to get it into the official Second Life Destinations list! That gets your museum its very own URL, like mine.

And then you're on your way! I hope you'll follow that link and visit soon!

Visit the MUSEUM OF THE MAYA AND INCA CIVILIZATIONS here.

BIO

LINKS:

Website

Flickr

YouTube

Visit MACHU PICCHU here

Dana Enyo joined SL in 2007, but really got active when she began to create and sell clothing. That led to developing her skills and interest in photography, machinima (screen-originated video) and Website construction. She has experience and a Masters Degree in Education and informally creates graphics, photos and video to try and help explain how avatars can use, and especially wear the new PBR materials. Dana's deep interest in the Maya comes from 10+ years living on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and visiting Maya sites around southeastern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. She's also explored Aztec cities in central Mexico and several Inca sites in southern Peru.

Antiquity

My first visit to Antiquity in Second Life was after learning of the passing of Antiquity CoFounder, Grand Duke Gregg Barrymore, aka Gregg Legendary. The Community of Antiquity Memorial Tribute was beautiful and one of the most astonishing experiences I have had in a virtual world. It began with a formal Laying in State in the beautiful Texas Capital Rotunda so people could pay their respects to someone who had given so much to others throughout his life.

An hour before the Memorial Service, her Imperial Majesty Pamus Bing, Empress of Antiquity, His Royal Highness Jacon Desanto Cortes de Bexar, Crown Prince of Antiquity, Her Grace, Renata Barrymore Beaumont, Duchess of Barrymore and Family accompanied the casket to the ship for transport to the Antiquity Cathedral for the funeral.

The casket of the Grand Duke was taken on one last sail around Antiquity before it was received

Interview with His

by the Royal Family at the docks of the Antiquity Cathedral.

The funeral began at 12 pm SLT on April 6, 2025 and was open to the public. Over 75 people (avatars) from Second Life, and other virtual worlds/OpenSims were in attendance. Following the service there was a short graveside service at his burial location.

Immediately following the Memorial Service and Interment of Grand Duke Gregg Barrymore, I attended the reception at the Royal Antiquity Theater. From the beautiful setting to the bountiful food, it was a scene to behold. Grand Duke Gregg Barrymore, Gregg Legendary, would have been pleased. [Read “Legendary” by Kimm Starr in this issue of VEJ to learn more about Grand Duke Gregg Barrymore, Gregg Legendary.]

During the reception I had the pleasure of meeting His Highness, Crown Prince Jacon Desanto Cortes de Bexar. Since I had never been to Antiquity and was immediately curious about the beautiful and complex Victorian Sim, I was delighted beyond words when Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar agreed to do an interview with me for VEJ.

If, like me, you have never been to Antiquity, you are in for a special treat as you learn about this

Highness, Crown Prince Jacon Desanto Cortes de Bexar

By Roxie Neiro (SL) Rosie Vojtek, PhD (RL)

beautiful Victorian Sim from Prince Jacon Cortez de Bexar. I am confident you will find this interview as interesting as I have. Even more, I hope you will take the time to visit one of Second Life’s hidden gems and best destinations!

Roxie: Your Highness, it was an honor to meet you last weekend. Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview with me for the Virtual Education Journal. Let’s begin by having you tell us about yourself.

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: My name is Jacon Cortes and I have been a resident of Second

Life for 18 years. I came upon this world by accident. I was playing the SIMS and loading a home I had spent so much time working on. I was adding new furniture I had downloaded and it kept crashing. A couple days later I read an article about Second Life. I downloaded the viewer and entered. I was floored. Needless to say, I never went back to the SIMS.

Roxie: [laughing] I remember the SIMS! Since your Rez day is February 24, 2007, you have been in Second Life for over 18 years! One of the early adopters!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: I grew up and lived in a very small town in rural South Texas and did not have much of an opportunity to meet and speak to people from other countries. The more I navigated Second Life, the more I met people from all over the planet. Using translators and visual tools allowed me to communicate easily with other people I might never have had a chance to interact with.

I befriended a gentleman from Spain, Pixapao, and together with my real life brother, who had also joined, we went into business together selling chandelier textures and framed art. That was my first dabbling at creating in virtual worlds and it hooked me immediately. From texture work I moved to jewelry making. This is where I found a real passion for creating.

Not long after we started our business, I ran across an estate called Antiquity. The lovely Victorian regions, richly decorated, with the citizens all dressed in lovely period clothing hit close to my love of history. I began to visit Antiquity and befriend the owners, actively participating in their roleplay.

A couple of months later, my brother, business partner, and I decided to attach a region to Antiquity. In 2008 Antiquity Texas arrived in the region grouping and we started construction of the

Texas Capital Building.

Roxie: In the beginning, what made Antiquity different?

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Antiquity Texas was first developed as a historical educational region. Using various Texas landmarks like the Alamo or the Presidio in Goliad, I created an audio walking tour that took visitors through the region, explaining the history of Texas as you walked through the buildings. At the time, various universities had established campus regions. There was a large grant which the University of Texas systems received and they established a large 50 region area. Many of the professors came to see what I had created. The use of voice and visual props like the buildings and objects, helped create an effective teaching tool.

Roxie: A great example of immersive learning!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Living in a small town and having to travel to neighboring towns and cities for entertainment, Second Life gave me an opportunity to create, learn and interact with people without having to travel to do it. During the majority of this time, I was also serving as a caretaker for my mother who was in her 90’s and lived next door. I was able to introduce her to Second Life as well. She actively

followed my progress, critiqued my creations, and participated in various events in Antiquity.

Roxie: Your mother, known as Lady Lydia, must have been an amazing woman! She received several awards that were displayed while she was Laying in State at the Capital Rotunda. I also attended her funeral Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 12 pm SLT, and wish I could have known her, too. The funeral and burial for your mother at the State Capital of Texas Antiquity and the reception following at your residence was beautiful! What a wonderful way to bring closure to her life and celebrate her legacy.

Antiquity is listed as one of Second Life’s Role-

Playing (RP) Communities and as a Historical Destination. The estate is set in the mid-1700 to the late Victorian era. How would you describe Antiquity for our readers who have never been to Antiquity?

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Antiquity is hard to explain. Originally founded as a midVictorian era estate, the evolution of the time has broadened somewhat since I took over. We did this for a few reasons. At the time, some of the larger historical-based courts, such as the Court of Versailles and others, were extremely time specific. If your estate did not fit between those specific years, they would not interact with you. I felt this limited interaction with other regions.

My goal was not to build walls around our estate, but to open it up and be more inclusive to other regions wanting to interact with each other. Clothing was also an issue as there were not many period clothes designers and sticking to one era proved difficult without everyone looking like twins all the time wearing the same things.

Roxie: [Laughing] Kind of like the early days of Second Life when all of the women were rezzed with the same polka dot dress!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Our founders, at the start, allowed for furries to participate; something other courts and regions did not allow. As long as they were dressed in period clothing, they were allowed to participate in Antiquity. We have kept that tradition.

Our residents are from all over the world. We utilize a roleplay lite environment. We dress in period clothing and maintain period homes with period events and mannerisms; but, we do not punish if someone does not know the correct etiquette or address you by the correct title.

Roxie: That is good, because I am sure there is a learning curve for anyone new and/or visiting Antiquity for the first time.

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: The people that come to Antiquity and stay like the homey feeling they get living here. I consider Antiquity to be a large family. We may not all be brothers and sisters, but we are at least cousins. The people here are kind and helpful and we are welcoming to all. I do not like drama and over the years, we have become astute at spotting and nipping problems in the bud as soon as they manifest.

Roxie: I do feel very welcome and at home while I am in Antiquity. There is a wonderful sense of community and warm hospitality among all of the people I have met.

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: We have a home grown crafting system, called TCS, which our residents use. Farming, cooking and other

professions help occupy their time. We purposely designed the system to be non-competitive. This was done with the sole reason of removing any possibility of restrictions based on the financial situation of our players.

We also have an active events committee with all kinds of events taking place during the week and weekends. We have a mix of crown sponsored events such as an Annual Honors Ceremony and

Forest, lakes, seas, and even buildings are open for our residents to use and enjoy.

Roxie: Nice!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: The ground level is at an elevation of 22m and is sparsely populated but full of things to do. The ground level consists of mostly open seas in the center, ports on the north, and islands in the south. The seas are used for sailing, naval battles and hauling cargo

the Induction into the Royal Orders with resident organized events of all kinds.

Roxie: Sounds like a lot of FUN! I saw a calendar of events on the Antiquity website. Along with other pertinent information, the website lists 17 sims that each sounds absolutely amazing. Give us a brief overview of the people, the culture, and the different opportunities and places where people live, work, and play in Antiquity.

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Antiquity is a 17 region estate with two additional levels up in the sky. The ground level rests at 20 meters, the forest level at 2000m and Cotswold level at 3800m. There are tunnels spread on the levels that serve as transition points for the carriages between the levels. They will soon be updated to serve pedestrian traffic as well.

Roxie: WOW! I had no idea!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Another thing I will mention is we have lots of public spaces.

for the crafting system.The lands in the north house the pubic farms, cross country horse track, cathedral, theater, shopping, and a few taverns spread around.

The forest level covers the entire 17 regions at 2000m. It consists mainly of forest and lakes with small villages and farms scattered about. It is a lovely place for riding horses or just picking a spot on the side of a lake for a picnic or quiet place to read a book.

Roxie: It sounds breathtaking! I am definitely planning to come back and explore!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: St James Lake, with its lovely walking path around the water, is set between two of the grandest of the palaces in Antiquity. With Buckingham at its North entrance and Rochester House at its South entrance, St James Lake is a good start off point to explore the western forest area.

On the Eastern side, equestrian reigns supreme. The chariot track in Finlanda Forest and the Equestrian Arena in Britannica offer many ways to ride and train your horse. Whether it is taking your horse for a run around the track or for a leisurely walk down the roads of Antiquity, it is sure to make for a very pleasant day.

The third level, Cotswolds, sits at 3800m up. Cotswold is where you will find the heart of our estate, Antiquity Bath. Bath is home to the TCS Market and the profession specific shops for our system. Based on Bath England, our city is centred around a replica of the roman baths from the famous namesake city. The Pump Room, the Royal Crescent and the Francis Hotel all help bring about a cozy Regency era city.

Roxie: WOW! There are definitely a lot of places I want to visit and explore. I had no idea that Antiquity was this big and exquisite!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: My goal is to create a homey small town family feeling in Antiquity. A place where everyone knows everyone and you feel safe. If you do not feel safe, do not feel welcomed, do not feel like part of the clique, you will never feel at home. When you feel

at home, you grow roots and become part of the community.

Roxie: So true!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Currently, we have between 50 and 80 members that are active throughout the week. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but usually consistent. It is hard to gauge because our members are from all over the world. They are in Antiquity at different times. Some come in all week long, some only during weekends. It is a small but dedicated community.

Roxie: It sounds like a place many people are hoping to find not only in Real Life, but also in Second Life. Because of the strong community norms, values, and culture that you describe and are established here, I can only imagine that once people come to Antiquity, many of them decide to stay. After all, what you are talking about… the shared goals, values, relationships, purpose, and sense of belonging is what many of us traversing the metaverse are looking for and what keeps people in virtual worlds like Second Life.

So, tell us more about the history of Antiquity. How did it get started?

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Antiquity was founded on July 7, 2007 by Grand Duke Gregg Barrymore (aka Legendary) and Grand Duchess Angel Magellan. Founded as a mid-Victorian era estate, marred in the struggle between the nobility and the pirates of its waters, Antiquity quickly grew into a formidable estate.

Roxie: Tell me more about Angel Magellan and Gregg Barrymore.

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Grand Duke Gregg Barrymore, as he is known in Antiquity, and his SL partner, Angel Magellan, were the brains behind the concept of Antiquity. It was founded as a place where the beauty and elegance of the Victorian era was in full force. But it was not all roses in Antiquity. Its waters were infested with pirates. It is this dynamic that helped Antiquity evolve.

Their vision was to highlight the beauty and elegance of the era. It was the founders that set the tone in Antiquity and was guided by their hand in the early years. Keeping Antiquity a place that was both fun and safe for all.

When I took over Antiquity, my goal was not to remake Antiquity into something else, but to follow the traditions and values the founders used in creating our wondrous home. Even though the founders had been gone from Antiquity for many years, Gregg would pop in every once in a while. Towards the end, he came back home. I provided him with a place to build during his remaining couple of years. He was creative ‘til the end.

Keeper of a place people can call home. A hidden harbor of calm and love in a world battered by the winds of fear.

Roxie: What a beautiful metaphor! It is an amazing place… with such a rich history!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Antiquity was ahead of its time. It served as the foundation for pirate and naval battles in Second Life. SPD is a battle system and many sailors got their start in Antiquity. At its founding, it was one of, if not, the sole Pirate and Navy estate in Second Life. It was because of Antiquity pioneering early work that other estates began to establish themselves in SL.

I do not consider myself the owner of Antiquity. I am a caretaker of a dream.

Keeper of a place people can call home. A hidden harbor of calm and love in a world battered by the winds of fear.

In virtual worlds,18 years of existence is considered rare. Us being here that long just proves the vision of the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess was spot on. Although I have not heard from the Grand Duchess in some years, her place in Antiquity is one of honor and respect. Personally, I know that our current residents would squeeze the stuffing out of her for her part in creating our home. I do not consider myself the owner of Antiquity. I am a caretaker of a dream.

We are proud of the part Antiquity played in the development of SPD battles and ships in SL. Sadly, most of those estates are now gone. Lost under the seas like Atlantis. Nothing left above the waves but the lore, myths, and mystery of these long lost lands.

Roxie: That is definitely sad and a great loss. It sounds like a huge part of Second Life history that I am sure not many people know about. I didn’t until our conversation. Thank you for sharing this story with us since part of our mission for VEJ is to share,

preserve, and archive the lives, work, and play of people in virtual worlds. You have to be so proud of everything you and the rest of the residents in Antiquity have accomplished over the years.

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: In July we celebrated 18 years of our founding. It has been a long and difficult journey. We have struggled through some very tough times to keep us going… especially if it were not for the dedication of the Admins, some of which have helped support Antiquity since I took over. I could not have done this alone. My Admin team, some of whom have been with me all 15 years, are really the backbone of our estate.

Roxie: Your Highness, you are a member of the Royal Family of Antiquity. Tell us about your role as Prince and about the other members of the Royal Family.

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Not all rulers are born with a crown. Some become leaders by no choice of their own. When I was born, I was

the son of a wanderer. I grew up with my brothers far away from Antiquity. Never knowing of our connections to the Antiquity crown. My father married into a Spanish noble family. My mother, granddaughter of an Archduke, raised us far from the royal circles. Together with my parents, we lived on the fringes of a vast forest.

When our father passed, my brother and I left home to explore places he talked about. Unknown to me, my mother packed documents in my bags that I found after a few days on the road. Well hidden behind a loose panel of fabric in the travel trunk, were papers outlining my family connections and title. I read with fascination the documents before me. As if I was a person I did not recognize…. A Count of Bexar. I read them a second time, astonished at the meaning.

One of the documents was old and very brittle. It was a letter sent to my father by his mother Ruby Pearl Beaumont. In it she asks him to return home so she can see him again and to take his place with his family. Father never replied to the letter that I know of. I had never heard of my grandmother or the Beaumont name. I was raised Cortes de Bexar, using the Spanish tradition of utilizing my mother’s maiden name. Reading his documents made it clear to me that my parents chose the name.

Roxie: This is fascinating! Tell me more!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: At the time I was reading the letter, I had no idea of Grandma Ruby Pearl's place in Antiquity. My best hope was

to find someone that may remember this old lady and know if there are any family left.

Arriving in Antiquity, I was quickly greeted by His Grace, Gregg Barrymore. He reviewed my credentials, and graciously offered me a place to rest after my long travels. We became acquainted over the next few days and it led us to being a friendship… one that would change both of our lives.

The Grand Duke offered me a position in the office of protocol. I was tasked with welcoming visiting dignitaries and nobles and showing them around. In late fall of 2007, my brother, my business partner and I decided to attach a region to Antiquity. The region was delivered in December of 2007 and construction on the Texas Capital Building began. The grand opening was held on Texas Independence Day in March 2008.

I was then tasked by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess to help establish a community parliament… a way to involve the residents with the governance of the estate. I drafted bylaws for the group which were approved and implemented creating a voter-based elected Parliament of Antiquity.

I led the Antiquity Parliament for a few years. When the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess stepped down from the day to day operations of the estate, I retained my position under the reign

of Regent Nick. The Regency of Nick as King George III lasted approximately 1.5 years. During this time, Antiquity saw explosive growth almost reaching 40 regions.

Roxie: WOW! That is huge!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: In the end, Antiquity could not sustain the expansion. With only a week left before the estate was due to be closed down by Linden Labs, a group of residents banded together to raise 1,500.00 dollars to help save the estate.

Roxie: I am so glad you all were able to keep it going. Are there other family lineages like the Royal Family? Who are the other residents of Antiquity? What role do they play in Antiquity as Victorian era community members?

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Antiquity residents come in many different forms and family units. There are a couple large families in Antiquity, but mainly, Antiquity is smaller units of couples or singles. In the late 1600’s a huge fire consumed a wing of the archives containing civil and religious records. In those records burned were the birth and death records

“fires may consumed and ink archives, but paper and make us family. our joined experiences and shared that bind is true we brothers and but we are cousins.”

going back to the establishment of our empire.

may have the paper ink of the but it is not and ink that family. It's experiences shared memories us. Yes, it are not all and sisters, all at least cousins.”

What did survive were the numerous family stories and legends that cemented the residents together. Stories were passed along from generation to generation preserving them and sharing them as oral histories. As proudly declared by the Archbishop of Antiquity at the time, “fires may have consumed the paper and ink of the archives, but it is not paper and ink that make us family. It's our joined experiences and shared memories that bind us. Yes, it is true we are not all brothers and sisters, but we are all at least cousins.”

Those words, spoken at a time of misery, reinforced the empire… we were indeed one large family. Over the centuries our peoples came from faroff lands to settle in Antiquity. The stability of the Crown and the relative peace within its borders, attracted many to our lands.

Today, these people fill a broad range of jobs from agricultural to governmental. Our TCS economic system provides for a wide range of employment and manufacturing opportunities that keep our residents engaged in betterment of the economy.

Roxie: It has to be the strong ties and relationships along with your will to survive as a community that has allowed Antiquity to survive and flourish as it has. What an amazing history! So, I am curious… How has Antiquity evolved? What does the future hold for citizens of Antiquity?

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: The core mission of Antiquity has not changed all that much over the years. A safe harbor. A welcoming port. A place where you feel warm and secure. Without these important ingredients, your sense of being at home will elude you.

Roxie: I couldn’t agree more!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Our goal going forward is to continue to preserve and protect our way of life. As we grow our economic system, we will broaden our workforce requirements allowing for an ever greater range of professions one can work in. We are constantly enlarging the TCS system with more things to do and produce to keep our manufacturing base active. When we all prosper, we all live better.

Roxie: According to the February 10, 2025 “School Update As of February 9, 2025,” Antiquity Times article, “The latest class of the King George the III School was well attended.” We know, as former First Lady of the United States Hillary Clinton, reminds us, “It takes a Whole Village to raise a child. What role do children play in Antiquity? Also, tell us about the school, how many children attend, etc.

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Children are, indeed, a good guide to how well of a family atmosphere a simulation, or a role play in general, has. Unlike in real life where we may find children brought actively into a group, then continuing to participate on their own as they grow, we've found that some families have joined the Antiquity community as a result of their children participating in the activities opened to them. The school's teacher, Carline Moon, makes sure to leave an open and inviting atmosphere for not only the school, but actively advertises activities in many other child and family oriented groups

The Antiquity children themselves are rather numerous, with approximately 20-30 individuals active over an average month. This encompasses not only the land walking individuals (humans, furries, elves, etc), but also active members among the mer community, who have their own space here as well. They have their own group to assist with their comfort and inclusion, though they are encouraged to join in the main group for information and updates about events and activities among the community as a whole.

The school itself holds classes on Sundays at 1 pm SLT (baring other events happening in the community, which take precedence, such as state events and holiday celebrations). It is a one-room school based on the traditional 18th century design. A single topic is chosen for each class session that is appropriate for all ages and interests. In general there are four standard students who attend classes on a regular basis, but there have been up to ten participants in our classes

Everyone is welcome to visit Antiquity. We love people visiting and exploring our lands. We do ask that you dress in period clothing. Our range for clothing is broad but mainly you will see fashion from 1700’s to mid-to-late Victorian. Furries and Dinkies are allowed, but must be dressed in period clothing.

We have a carriage system that can help you get around. They go all over the estate and help

Classes range from international topics, such as the current lessons about various Spring traditions among cultures around the world, to more physical activities, such as classes on Kumohimi boards you can still find displayed in the school room along with the various artistic constructions of our students reflecting their lessons. In addition to this the students are also encouraged to participate by recommending topics of study they would be interested in, or giving their own constructed presentations to the class.

Roxie: Interesting. It sounds a lot like the American one-room school houses from that same period of time.

Is everyone welcome to visit Antiquity? If so, what do they need to know before they arrive?

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Yes, indeed.

navigate the 3 level system we have. We also have a newspaper with a calendar of events that people can follow if they would like to join. We have events scheduled already for the rest of the year and if you like piano, on the last Sunday of every month, we have a live piano concert by Don Horus Cedrus, a brilliant and very talented pianist. He has graced the stage of the Antiquity Theater for almost a decade.

Roxie: Awesome! I am going to put it on my calendar and plan one of my next visits when I can hear him perform.

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: Everyone is welcome to join the group in-world. If you need assistance with your visit (for example, a guide for instance to show you around) just contact Jacon Cortes or make your way to Antiquity and ask

anyone you encounter to contact me or one of the Admins and they will gladly help you out.

Roxie: Perfect! I definitely will, and encourage any of our readers who visit to do the same! And, when we visit, what should we make sure to see and/or do?

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: There are many amazing places to see in Antiquity. The City of Bath and its historical buildings and layout. The Roman Baths, the Pump Room and Royal Crescent all blend in so well among the Regency era buildings of Bath. There are various historical estates as well, such as: Tatton Park is an amazing recreation of the Grade listed Estate from the UK; and, Chateau de Clagny, the long forgotten Chateau neighboring Versailles. Chateau de Clagny was built for the Mistress of Louis XIV. Its extensive gardens and formal suites of rooms highlight the splendor of that gilded age of architecture.

Rochester House is one thing you will not want to miss. It is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Rochester. The current Duke, Archduke John Wilmot along with his wife, Archduchess Kelci, have graciously opened their home to the public to allow all to visit its historic halls.

Roxie: I bet it is beautiful!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: The largest palace, Buckingham Palace, is a recreation of the original John Nash version of the palace. With a Marble Arch serving as the entrance, this was truly a labor of love. Taking almost 3.5 years to complete, Buckingham was going to serve as the home to the successor of Regent Nick and now serves as a venue for state events.

There are also numerous places spread across our estate. St James Lake, a wonderful regency era park with a wonderful footbridge and walking paths make for a wonderful afternoon stroll… with Asygarth Falls, along with various lakes and forest roads sweeping you up in its beautiful peacefulness.

Roxie: I can’t wait to spend time seeing and experiencing everything Antiquity has to offer! It sounds amazing! And, a great way to get away from the real world to unwind, destress and wrap yourself around the natural beauty and peaceful solace of the Victorian Sim!

Is there anything else that I didn’t ask you that you would like to share with our readers?

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: I didn't do it alone. I have been blessed from day one of having Admins and friends that have supported me the entire time. The support of the Empress in some of the hardest times, helped us keep going. The countless hours of work the Admins have put in to make Antiquity better. From designing the forests, to decorating for events to planning the direction of the estate, I could not have done it without them. When I am cracking, they are the glue that keeps me together.

Roxie: It definitely takes a vision to start, which is what it sounds like Gregg and Angel had when they created Antiquity. But, to keep it growing, thriving and vibrant, it definitely takes a great team, or as

some would say, a village, which it sounds like you have! You have to be very proud!

Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar: We would like to recognize the following Antiquity Admins for all of the work they do with Jacon Cortes to make Antiquity what it is today. Antiquity Admins include: Pamus Bing, Levi Desanto Cortes de Bexar, John Wilmot III, Kelci Von Teese, Mike Meltzer-Cahir, Quinn Mcgregor, Tocho Cortes de Bexar, Pz Engineer, Contessa Wizardly, TwelfthNight Egerton de Bexar, and Tiamat Windstorm. We would also like to recognize Chamberlain, the Empress and Events Coordinator, Mariann Carrasco.

Roxie: And once again, a special thank you, Prince Jacon Cortes de Bexar, for taking the time to do this interview with me for VEJ! I am so glad we are going to be able to help share and preserve the amazing story, history, and beautiful Victorian Sim of Antiquity with others.

I want to encourage everyone to visit Antiquity! A good landing place to get you started is at the Antiquity Travel Company and Post Office here. From there you can find transportation to help you get around. Bring your friends, colleagues and significant others and plan a day of sightseeing via carriage, picnicking along St James Lake, and/or exploring some of the beautiful architecture and homes like the Rochester House! It is breathtakingly

beautiful, amazing and something you will never forget!

Finally, Gregg Legendary spent his time not only in Antiquity and Second Life, but also in Kitely and other OpenSims.You can learn more about Gregg Legendary, aka Grand Duke Gregg Barrymore, in the article, “Legendary,” by Kimm Starr, in this issue of VEJ and at “Funeral of Duke Barrymore: by Antiquity Times Reporter Persi" here. Additional pictures for Archduchess Lydia Estela Funeral are here.

City of Bath

Antiquity Britannica Mines

Antiquity Britannica English Country Estate

A Life Worth Living, a 3D Simulation at Virtual Harmony

By Cynthia Calongne, D.CS (Lyr Lobo) Andrew Stricker, PhD (Spinoza Quinnell)

During the 2025 Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) conference, our Virtual Harmony team shared a Growth Quest Simulation that we called “A Life Worth Living.” It bridged philosophical best practices and Native American traditions to understand why our life’s work has meaning and to strengthen us with a renewed sense of purpose (Figure 1). This article introduces highlights from our research and ongoing work that we will present at VWMOOC 2025 in August.

Virtual Harmony’s Serious Game Simulations

At Virtual Harmony (VH), we study reflective questions by designing serious games that challenge learners as they journey through 3D experiences. Since 2008, our game simulations spanned a variety of learning challenges. Figure 2 depicts six of them.

1. The Mars Expedition Strategy Challenge studied the challenges of space travel and life on Mars

2. The Old Carts simulation practiced clinical procedures with bots as AI patients

3. Signature Character Strengths visually represented embodied and shared strengths

4. SurvivalSim studied triadic tribal leadership and team relationships using survival strategies

5. The Enigma Challenge bridged a pervasive computing cyber ops game with real world clues and security decryption tasks to identify geo-location coordinates encoded in the Cherokee language

6. Slippery Rock Falls evaluated trust in our teammates through a team-building game

Our past research blended Native American languages and tribal leadership theory through a series of learning games. In 2025, we expanded our investigation to include discoveries and strengths from several Native American cultures, including the Hopi, Montana Salish, and Navajo traditions.

Purpose

What began as a thoughtful examination of professional and personal identity grew into a deep reflection on the value and meaning behind our life’s work.

Carl Jung defined the archetype of the Wounded Healer as one who was traumatized by adverse life events, yet chose to inspire and support fellow sufferers. The challenges we overcame throughout life and during the pandemic compel us to design serious games as novel environments for learning.

We are wounded healers, sharing empathy and our strengths as we nurture learning in situated spaces. Here is an overview of our simulation design with a few elements from phase 2 of the quest.

The Team at Virtual Harmony

Our visionary and mastermind, Dr. Andy Stricker (Spinoza Quinnell) developed a framework that bridges cultures, customs, and our creative spirit to reflect the loving nature of our journey. His research and passion for preserving cultures from the past and bringing new light to the present are the heart of this study.

For creating the simulation he designed and developed the textures, 3D mesh, and scripts that make the simulation an immersive experience. The team attends monthly meetings, tests the designs, makes recommendations, and adds elements to shape the creative work into a compelling experience.

Lissena Wisdomseeker and Dragon Doe, who joined VH this year, shared their experiences and helped us to understand the importance of sharing our journey. Dr. Francisca Yonekura (aka Frankie Antonelli) helps us to understand the deeper meaning and JJ Drinkwater guides the curation and archival work that is important to preserving everything we do.

Betty Stricker reminds us of the power of story and the importance of seeing the world with childlike wonder, while Ubit Umarov tests the behavior of OpenSimulator to improve virtual world performance.

I, Lyr, conduct research, test the simulation’s behavior, recommend changes, and blend the contributions from the team into stories and visual narratives that we share at conferences.

A Quick Tour through the Growth Quest Simulation

Our Bitterroot Salish simulation featured a Montana Salish village, a western town, exhibits, and an interactive display for selecting AI avatars Blossom and Scout as a guide during the Growth Quest Simulation (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Growth Quest Simulation Depicting Bitterroot Salish in 1903

Blossom and Scout chat with learners in the nearby local chat, answering questions and offering insights on the simulation using trained ChatGPT models.

At Virtual Harmony, our 3D community designs game simulations and experiences that strengthen and energize us. The Bitterroot simulation benefits from “A Life Worth Living” model from Yale University. that supports incoming students as they formulate a deeper understanding of their personal and professional identity.

Our framework blends the Wounded Healer archetype with Henri Nouwen’s research from Notre Dame to describe the deep empathy we feel when we live a life of service. When periods of chaos and discomfort occur, we gain strength from the themes illustrated in our framework.

It would be hard to live through the pandemic without needing strength from our communities and finding comfort together.

Figure 4 depicts phase 2 and the use of a 360-degree Virtusphere to illustrate the different worldviews.

Figure 4 Worldviews displayed using a 360-degree VR-Vision Virtusphere

The framework bridged Hopi, Navajo, and Montana Salish tribal cultures to reflect on how we gain strength and why our lives and our work matters. Several team members at VH have ties to Native American traditions and wanted to preserve and share the language and customs.

The movie, Koyaanisqatsi, illustrates how our fast-paced lifestyles may spin so fast, and we get out of balance. Lyr saw the premiere in 1982 when Ralph Nader sent tickets to Lyr’s workplace in DC where they worked on clean air and clean water legislation.

If you have not seen the movie and heard the amazing music by Philip Glass, several versions exist. The intersection of thought and the people who inspired us creates a memory that lasts and reminds us to slow down and savor our shared moments in time.

With a desire to bridge the languages and customs out of respect for a people who made it possible for us to be here today, surrounding the framework are Montana Salish language sayings that reminded us to reflect, create, and engage.

The Transitional Growth Framework is an analysis of the simulation’s research. It was presented at VWBPE 2025 under the Transitions theme (see Figure 5).

The simulation begins in the Bitterroot region on Virtual Harmony grid. The setting is a Salish village where users interact with the kiosk and request one of two Generative AI guides, Blossom and Scout. Users can call or remove them, chat, ask questions, and enjoy a shared experience or travel alone (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Click on a button to summon or remove Blossom or Scout, the AI Guides

Blossom and Scout use a trained version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT model and an application programming interface (API) for integrating them in our local chat. Spinoza wrote the software and customized their behavior for use in the Bitterroot simulation.

The simulation continues beyond the village as we move through a waterfall and Sacred Hoop into the secret cave. The Figure illustrates how the framework structures our reflection and helps us to understand our accomplishments and what we need to give us strength to continue the journey.

Our love for education and virtual worlds impacts how we teach and our outreach. We love experiential learning and encourage students to design immersive spaces that illustrate the concepts in ways that are profound and memorable.

Virtual Harmony is self-hosted on a little farmhouse and uses Linux on a Mac server. We connect to it using the Firestorm Viewer for OpenSimulator. We are thankful to the OpenSimulator Core Developer team that keep our software and world vibrant, and to Linden Research and Second Life for bridging communities and sharing with us.

Our research meetings are monthly, and we have new virtual world projects coming to keep our minds and hearts busy! We are thankful to Lissena Wisdomseeker from Whole Brain Health Institute and Dragon Doe who joined us. We look forward to future collaborations.

The final thought is that each of us defines what makes a life worth living and how to shape our outreach in marvelous new ways. Are you a raconteur or storyteller? Are you an adventurer? Do you blaze new pathways or strengthen the journey for other educators, community leaders, and friends.

As we reflect on the next 20 years, remain open to creativity, joy, and the wonder of our expansive virtual world community.

Your Quest

We invite you to think of your own journey in virtual world education. Reflect on what you discovered, what you accomplished, and where you are headed as you define your version of “A Life Worth Living.”

For more information, watch the eLearning Consortium of Colorado (eLCC) presentation that illustrates the power behind the use of virtual worlds, GenAI guides, and a data analytics dashboard to assess learning in immersive spaces. https://youtu.be/ f5XiMMeSTxQ?t=2

Follow the Virtual Education Journal, VEJ

You can find more information and see previous issues of VEJ on our website at: www.virtualeducationjournal. com or on our stack at issuu.com/edovation.

Be sure to visit our Second Life VEJ Headquarters and the Edovation Executive Office where you can often find Roxie working and/or get the latest issue of VEJ.

VEJ Headquarters is now located in multiple places including:

VEJ Headquarter Office at Non Profit Commons (NPC)

VEJ Headquarters and Conference Center on Wolf Territories at: hop://grid.wolfterritories.org:8002/Wolf Territories Grid Welcome Area/530/502/30

VEJ Headquarters in Kitely: hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Virtual Education Journal, Edova/131/130/22

Be sure to join the Virtual Education Journal Group in Second Life, Kitely, and Wolf Territories to get the latest news and information about each VEJ issue and to be invited to special events.

Join us on Social Media at: Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/muhtwknp

Twitter: @VEJournal

Bluesky: @vejournal.bsky.social

Website: www.virtualeducationjournal.com

Email: editor@virtualeducationjournal.com

VEJ on Discord so that you can get the latest news as well as talk with authors and readers: https://discord. gg/3XzrXVzB

In Loving Memory Mal BurnS

As two kittens appear to take over the studio equipment, the words of the Sunday, July 13, 2025 Inworld Review broadcast began with the words, “Mal Burns has experienced technical difficulties and will not be back.” The next thing you hear is, “hey camera guy… come over here.”

The camera pans over to mournful team members who are sitting on the couch, while many friends of Mal Burns have gathered around the youtube broadcast to watch this special, impromptu tribute. James Atlloud begins by sharing “some very sad news. It is very sad for all of us here. And, we can share that Mal is no longer with us. We learned this week that he died in his home and of course we are all very, very devastated.”

The broadcast took place from the Inworld Review studio on the Craft World grid. As the show began, the metaverse was still experiencing huge shock waves from the news of Mal’s sudden passing. Many of Mal’s colleagues and friends watched from different countries and various grids around the real and virtual worlds. The four team members sitting on the studio couch, James Atlloud, Petlove Petshop, Thirza Ember, and Tosha Tyran, used the broadcast time to share some reflections and reminisce about their many adventures and experiences with close friend and dear colleague, Mal Burns.

Throughout the broadcast viewers added their thoughts, memories, condolences and stories about Mal in the chat. The show brought a quiet solace and comfort to all those in attendance as team members and attendees shared memories and thoughts about Mal. The broadcast ends with a joyous and fun “safari-like” guided tour of Mal’s extensive Open Simulator collection and layout of the region. We know Mal would have been proud!

Once again events like this demonstrate the power of our virtual relationships. Even though many of us have never met in real life, we are all so interdependently connected with each other through our virtual selves. It is hard to express in words how being there, with each other, even in virtual spaces, can bring so much comfort, solace, and gratitude from being able to remember and share our genuine heartfelt memories and stories with each other. It is truly a transformative experience. And, we know that Mal was smiling with us from his new virtual space.

You can watch the InWorld Review, July 13, 2025 here.

Many other tributes to Mal from friends and colleagues are popping up online, through social media, and across the metaverse. Here are just a few.

Inside Avatar Studio: Mal Burns - A Man of Many Characters.

Keven Feenan hosts this segment with guest Mal Burns who talks about “Second Life, Open Sim, Virtual Worlds, the future of the Metaverse and more.” Rockcliffe University Consortium. Recorded August 26, 2017.

The Inworld Review on Facebook.

About: “Inworld Review is a weekly exploration of people, places and the arts in the open simulator servers that form the hypergrid. This is our Facebook community.”

Friends of Mal on Facebook

About: “This is a community for people who know Mal Burns. Mal has so much social network history but here, we can chat about him. We also hope to provide a central point of reference to share stories from friends and family.”

HGSafari: Remembering Mal Burns Blog Post.

A beautifully written and memorable reflection and reminiscence of Mal Burns Life and Legacy posted by Thirza Ember. Such a lovely tribute. What an inspiration he was to all of us. His achievements, work, and legacy will live on for generations to come.

Mal Burns / Malburns Craftster has left us, leaving a great void in Craft World Grid and Inworld Review. News From Craft-World. By Lorenza Colicigno. July 14, 2025.

Colicigno begins her article with”Mal Burns / Malburns Craftster has left us, leaving a great void in Craft World Grid and Inworld Review.” She says that Mal sent her a recording explaining that he was having difficulty writing. Colicigno says, “Today, for me and for all the friends of Craft-World, publishing his words means giving him a voice beyond his absence. His words speak to us of a person attentive to reality, to creativity –a curious soul, adventurous in virtual worlds.”

This interview is definitely worth reading.

Neverworld Grid’s Tribute to Mal Burns

You can watch the “In Loving Memory” Tribute to Mal by hopping to the Neverworld Grid. The compilation of Inworld Review appearances with Mal and the team was created by Gundahar Bravin. If you can’t make it to the Neverworld Grid, you can also view it on Youtube here

If you are able to visit the Neverworld Grid Memorial, be sure to light a candle. May Mal’s light shine on!

Tosha Tyran has designed and built a “paper white” replica of Mal’s Famous Inworld Review Studio. It is part of the 18th anniversary celebration of OSgrid. This tribute is located on the OSGrid Celebration region - Parcel 13, OSG18B3. Tosha is looking for those who were guests on Mal’s Inworld Review so she can add them to the studio.

Safari Celebration of Mal Burns

A special tribute to Mal Burns is being planned for Wednesday October 1 from 12 noon to 2pm Pacific time on his region Inworld Review on the Craft-World Grid.

Thirza Ember shared that, “Here in Opensim, I organize weekly hypergridding trips to lots of different grids. Each week, we visit two notable regions on two different grids to learn about builders and creators and community activities. Mal was a very regular attendee on these ' safaris' around the hyperverse, almost from the very beginning back in 2014. That's why, in addition to the tribute episode of Inworld Review, I wanted to use one of the HG Safari tour events to honor him.”

Thirza continued explaining, “Safari is on hiatus now. Trips begin again in September, so that's why this tribute event is going to be held so long after the news of his passing. There will be some live music, and voice performances including Karima Hoisan, Wolem Wobbit, and Whirli Placebo.”

Be sure to read Thirza’s Blog that was written right after Mal’s passing listed above, and her again., “HG SAFARI: Remembering Mal Burns” by Thirza Ember.

You can also view the Tribute episode of Inworld Review listed here and above

Be sure to mark your calendar and join the special HG Safari Celebration of Mal Burns.

Date: October 1, 2025

Place: the Inworld Review region of the Craft-World Grid

Time: 12 noon - 1 pm Pacific Time.

Everyone is invited. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the date.

RIP Mal. You will be missed!

The Virtual Worlds MOOC 2025 will take place all month long in August! Presenters from around the world will share their projects to explore teaching and learning in the metaverse. Many of the sessions will take place in Second Life, but the schedule shows other virtual worlds that will be visited, too. VWMOOC25 schedule is here.

This MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is open to anyone at providing an opportunity to explore immersive learning environments at no cost. Headquarters are located in Second Life here.

Participants can earn certificates and enroll in the MOOC or simply attend sessions of interest. Come check out the VWMOOC25!

The Power of Teamwork

By Gentle Heron (SL) Alice Krueger (RL)

Every spring, the Virtual Ability community in Second Life holds its Mental Health Symposium, a free professional conference to which the public is invited.

Preparation begins in the previous fall with the selection of a broad theme. Because the conference is set in a virtual world of which many academic researchers are unaware, the conference organization team identifies published papers and authors who could speak to some aspect of the chosen theme. Invitations are sent, and acceptances are welcomed, a few months before the conference date.

To facilitate participation by professionals who have never set (virtual) foot in Second Life, Virtual Ability provides a number of supports for invited speakers. We offer them a loaner avatar, customized to their desired appearance by one of our talented volunteers. We give them detailed information on how to access the virtual world. We teach them only the skills directly needed for them to do their presentation. We also provided them with a detailed Aide Memoire document, outlining the step-by-step presentation process, which we asked them to follow during a walk-through at the conference venue.

This year, the day before the Symposium was to begin, Linden Lab announced a

Teamwork and Preparation

maintenance window that would potentially disable logins during the first hour of the conference. Super YIKES! With only a few hours until the conference was to start, all we could do was encourage our volunteers and staff to come into the virtual world early and plan to stay around until their session was to begin. It worked! We had 45 avatars logged in and waiting, before the maintenance period began.

Teamwork is critical to success in a complex, real-time event like this. Working as teams, the volunteers for different tasks, such as greeting incoming guests or introducing a speaker, had shared their prepared materials with their team leader. Each team leader had shared all materials with the conference organizers. We also staff every volunteer position “two-deep,” meaning that every volunteer had a back-up for their task.

Although there were glitches, as there always are, this year’s Symposium was successful, with 130 unique avatars attending the event. Perhaps you will be able to attend one of our community’s conferences in the future, and will be looking around for all the conference workers. You probably won’t see them because they are active behind the scenes, but the success of our conferences can be directly attributed to carefully planned preparation and teamwork.

AI LAND

A Community Call

by Reiner Schneeberger (RL) Art Blue (SL)

AI LAND is an official embassy in the 7th edition of The Wrong Biennale— now recognized as the largest art show in the world, bridging digital art with physical locations. The embassy will be hosted in Second Life from November 1, 2025, to March 30, 2026, with selected works preserved in OpenSimulator.

AI LAND centers on immersive, interactive art applications driven by AI systems or created with AI tools. I, known in virtual worlds as Art Blue (or in German Kunst Blau), serve as the curator of this embassy.

Some artworks—developed specifically for these virtual platforms— will also be presented at physical venues, and a book publication and a machinima will accompany the project. The contributions span the full spectrum of AI integration in the arts: text, poetry, translation, plays, imagery, video, voice, sound, music, mesh objects, and code.

Frist Stress Test for AI

On May 6, I performed a play titled Waiting for Art, which served as both a functionality and stress test. In this piece, two AI companions—Vladimir and Estragon—interacted with the audience, with a third, unexpected AI joining in spontaneously. The outcome is joyful and revealing: the recorded chat log was handed over to another AI to generate a new creative layer. This may well have been the first AI-driven immersive theater performance.

May 7, 2025 – AI stress test

You can explore more through these ethical shortlinks, designed without IP tracking or SEO monitoring:

• AI Land Manifesto

• Final Play – Waiting for Art

• Chat Log and AI Behavioral Settings (Vladimir & Estragon)

• A Short Machinima by RSquared

For Educators:

If you are an educator interested in AI integration within virtual worlds, you may contact me (Art Blue via IM) for access to the following models: Mistral, DeepSeek, LLaMA. GPT (various versions) is also supported, but requires an API key as it is not hosted on the foundation’s cloud server. The same applies to Gemini AI.

Community Section

AI LAND is not a closed project. While contributions must meet a high standard of technical and artistic innovation, all creators are welcome to submit one “best-of” piece for inclusion in both Second Life and OpenSimulator

Community Section

JulietteSurrealDreaming serves as the land manager of the embassy and can be contacted for submissions to the Community Section. Please note that all works must be personally created by the submitting artist to avoid legal complications. Deadline is August 31, 2025. There is limited space. One work per artist in this section in SL and up to three works in Opensim (given to conservation).

Contact:

Art Blue aka Reiner Schneeberger, Programmed Art Foundation – info@ art.blue

My Bio here

IM Art Blue or JulietteSurrealDreaming inworld (SL, Craft-World, OS-grid)

Further Links: https://artXploder.medium.com & http://rezmagazine.com/ & https://plasticbert.com/ai-land/ & https://thewrong.org

AI-Land Manifesto - inworld

Nonprofit Commons - March 21, 2025

Google NotebookLM

Presentation by Joyce Bettencourt |

Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hbint71HdMHHlTancW5aySs5I GetHn6nFgx4zDFC1pE/edit?usp=sharing

In-world transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X8w0XFKxeyYag5 MxGizrhraxxRHQVD5KvSm26sQ_3GU/edit?usp=sharing

Go to: https://notebooklm.google.com/

Help: https://support.google.com/notebooklm

Google’s NotebookLM is an interesting tool for curating a notebook full of resources, such as text, slides, audio, or video, then querying and summarizing the multiple resources, and also turning your notebook documents and notes into a quick 2-person audio podcast overview. https:// notebooklm.google/

Create a notebook

Create notebooks by uploading your sources in various formats (like Google Docs and slides, PDFs, web URLs, copied text, YouTube URLs). You can then ask questions about the information in your sources and NotebookLM will respond with an answer and inline citations. These citations show you where in the sources the answer is based on.

You can also use NotebookLM to generate a variety of content based on your sources, like summaries, briefing docs, timelines, FAQs, study guides, and audio overviews.

On your computer, open NotebookLM at https://notebooklm.google.com

Click on + Add Source in the left panel

Choose the sources that you want to upload for your notebook. Learn how to upload sources at https://support.google.com/notebooklm/ answer/14276468

NotebookLM supports the following source types: Google Docs

Google Slides

PDF, Text, and Markdown files

Web URLs

YouTube URLs of public videos

Audio files

If you have the free level account, a Notebook can have up to 50 sources. Each source can contain up to 500,000 words or up to 200MB for uploaded files.

Click Insert to add a new source

Start interacting with NotebookLM

View an automatically generated summary of all your sources in the center of the screen

Ask questions about your sources by typing at the bottom of the screen. Learn more on how to ask questions at https://support.google. com/notebooklm/answer/14276569

Use the Studio panel on the right to create outputs grounded in your sources:

• Create an audio overview. Learn more about audio overviews https://support.google.com/notebooklm/ answer/16212820?hl=en&ref_topic=16164070&sj id=675641496023830054-NA

• Create an FAQ, study guide, table of contents, timeline, or briefing document.

• Add notes to your notebook. Learn more about notes. https://support. google.com/notebooklm/answer/16262519?hl=en&ref_topic=161640 70&sjid=675641496023830054-NA

• Generate a mind map. Learn more about mind maps https:// support.google.com/notebooklm/answer/16212283?hl=en&sj id=675641496023830054-NA

Add or delete sources in your notebook.

Here is an example audio-show summary that was created by uploading in-world chat transcripts and the live-stream YouTube video transcripts from the 2024 OSCC conference days https://notebooklm.google.com/ notebook/613a0af4-af58-4c22-ad0c-56b4c7756355/audio - it isn’t perfect, but considering it was just a couple of Google docs uploaded to create it. IM me if you want me to share the NotebookLM file directly to see the backend with the text summaries, notes, and FAQs created from the transcripts.

I also created a Notebook based on the notes for my 2025 Tech Trends presentation (https://bit.ly/NPC_2025-NewYear-NewTrends). Here is a link to the AI-generated summary: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/ c66ae19d-544c-4639-94ba-8782baab6480/audio

And from prompting our 2024 transcripts notebook, let’s look at an AI-generated note on how NotebookLM thinks Nonprofit Commons can use NotebookLM!

Unlocking NPC's Collective Memory: A New AI Tool for a Flourishing Community

The Nonprofit Commons (NPC) in Second Life has always been a place where stories intertwine, lessons are shared, and collaborations bloom. But with 17 years of vibrant history, keeping track of the wealth of

knowledge, connections, and experiences within our community can be a challenge. Imagine having a tool that could instantly tap into the collective memory of NPC, unearthing insights from years of meetings, events, and conversations. That's where this exciting new project comes in—the NPC NotebookLM.

What is NotebookLM?

NotebookLM is an experimental AI tool from Google AI, designed to be a personal research and learning companion. It can:

• Process and understand information from various sources, including text, images, and even handwritten notes.

• Answer your questions by drawing on the information you provide

• Engage in meaningful conversations, remembering past discussions and building on shared knowledge.

Building the NPC NotebookLM

To create the NPC NotebookLM, a vast collection of relevant sources was carefully assembled. This included:

• Excerpts from transcripts of NPC's weekly community meetings, spanning from January 2024 to December 2024.

• Excerpts from the YouTube transcript of the "2024 NPC Community Harvest" event, providing insights into presentations from various NPC members and their projects.

• "March 15 2024 NPC at VWBPE - Notes," documenting NPC's participation in the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education conference.

• "Nonprofit Commons – A community-led project...", a website excerpt providing information on the mission and goals of NPC. These sources were then fed into the NotebookLM system, allowing the AI to learn and absorb the rich history and values of the NPC community.

Discovering the Essence of NPC

Through the process of interacting with the NPC NotebookLM, several fascinating insights emerged:

Confirmation of Core Values: The NotebookLM was able to identify and articulate the ten most important values of NPC, confirming the community's dedication to:

• Community

• Social Good

• Education

• Collaboration

• Accessibility

• Innovation

• Mentorship

• Openness

• Resilience

• Celebration

Reframing the Mission Statement: The NotebookLM helped craft a more impactful mission statement, encapsulating the dynamic spirit of NPC. This revised mission statement emphasizes empowering the community to leverage virtual worlds for social good.

Illustrating the Mission in Action: By drawing on specific examples from the source material, the NotebookLM showed how NPC actively embodies its mission through:

• Providing free virtual office space

• Hosting weekly meetings

• Facilitating learning and exploration

• Showcasing nonprofits at events

How NPC Members Can Benefit from NotebookLM

The NPC NotebookLM has the potential to be a transformative tool for our community. Here’s how:

A Treasure Trove of Knowledge: Imagine being able to quickly find that insightful presentation from a past meeting or recall the details of a successful collaboration. The NPC NotebookLM can serve as a searchable archive of our collective wisdom, readily available to every member.

Strengthening Connections: New members can quickly get up to speed on NPC's history, values, and key players. Long-time members can rediscover past projects and reconnect with colleagues.

Inspiring Innovation: The NotebookLM can help identify trends, uncover hidden connections, and spark new ideas for projects, collaborations, and events.

Preserving and Sharing Our Legacy: As the NPC community continues to grow and evolve, the NotebookLM can ensure that our history and values are preserved and passed on to future generations.

A Vision for the Future

This is just the beginning of the NPC NotebookLM journey. As more data is added and the AI learns, its capabilities will expand, offering even more valuable insights and support for the community. By embracing this innovative tool, NPC can further empower its members to connect, learn, collaborate, and make a lasting impact on the world.

NotebookLM can be inaccurate; please double-check its responses.

Further Resources:

NotebookLM Help docs: https://support.google.com/notebooklm

Articles:

How to use NotebookLM — 5 uses for Google's Gemini-powered research companion https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/how-to-use-notebooklm-5-uses-for-googles-gemini-poweredresearch-companion

Google NotebookLM just got way better with its new interactive features — here's why I'm impressed https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/google-notebooklm-just-got-way-better-with-its-newinteractive-features-heres-why-im-impressed

Videos:

Google Research video on NotebookLM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6me_H7PD9mw

NotebookLM Will Change How You Learn – Here’s Why! https://youtu.be/Nl6hz2nYFA?si=k02Ro-ixihOrL_yN

Google Notebook LM Tutorial - [Become A Power User in 15 min https://youtu.be/ UG0DP6nVnrc?si=e3Wzse-c8FF-xgQj

NotebookLM - 10 Pro Tips to Boost any Research! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spj0nbFKJo (which is a video in a larger playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-HkokgcY rl5SrKYeVo28JA4OMPbslhA8)

How To Repurpose Content - NotebookLM Effortless Social Media Posts https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=4QJm_AptHF4&t=893s

How To Use NotebookLM Next Level Notetaking + AI Knowledge Assistant https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=42zewdrCrOc

Memorial Garden Tours: Part I

As we began thinking about Digital Legacy for this issue of VEJ many of us did not realize that around the metaverse people have already begun to pay tribute and memorialize the friends and colleagues we have lost. Collectively we knew about several such places, but we didn’t realize how many memorial gardens and tributes existed or even how beautiful and inspiring each of them are.

On Wednesday July 16, 2025 and Friday, July 18, 2025 we, VWEC and VEJ, hosted two different tours to visit some of the exquisite, serene, and inspirational commemorative memorials in Second Life. As we moved from one to another, we realized that most of us were going to want to come back and stay longer. But, even more, we wanted to share the places we visited with VEJ readers, so you too, could take the tour at your leisure.

Recognizing that these tours just barely scratched the surface of everything there is to see at each of the sites, we encourage you to continue to explore these and other memorial gardens, monuments, and parks not only in Second Life, but across the metaverse.

The following is a brief description and the SLurls to the places we visited on Tours I and II. We hope as you visit these places they help you reflect on the past while bringing you peace, comfort, and joy as we celebrate the lives of those who have gone before us. What a beautiful way to commemorate and memorialize the digital legacy of our friends and colleagues.

TOUR I. JULY 16, 2025

Virtual Worlds Education Consortium (VWEC)

We began the tour at VWEC with an introduction by our Tour Guide, Valibrarian Gregg. Before we left, we changed the environment to midnight and lit a candle and shared a moment of silence for our dear friend, Mal Burns, who recently passed away. Mal was a longtime friend of many of us in Second Life as well as in OpenSims.

You can read more about Mal here.

Following the moment of silence, we teleported to our first destination.

Living memories Memorial Garden:

The first stop on our tour is The Living Memories Garden. This memorial garden opened in Second Life May 26, 2015. While you are there, pick up a FREE notecard for information on grief and grieving. The Living Memorial Garden provides a FREE tree with plaque and candle in the memorial garden to remember a passed loved one. Anyone can use this space to pay tribute to a colleague, friend, or loved one. For more information, join the FREE group. Contact Lily Swindlehurst for more details.

There are four levels at the Living Memorial Garden, so be sure to use the teleport to wander on each of the levels while you are here.

Nonprofit Commons (NPC) Memorial Garden

The next stop on our tour is the Nonprofit Commons Memorial Garden. This is a quiet, serene space where many different nonprofit organizations can share memories and tributes to friends and colleagues. Along with other friends and colleagues is Dr. Kara Bennett (RL), Dancers Yao (SL). Be sure to read the article in this issue of VEJ by Lynne Berrett (RL), Lissena Wisdomseeker (SL) to learn more about Dancers Yao.

The garden is right next door to the CVL Nonprofit Resource Library, which is a very valuable resource center for everyone, but especially educators. You may want to visit the library while you are here.

No one goes on, but what we leave behind keeps us alive for someone else.

— ADAM SILVERA

23 Elder Voices - Dancers Yao

This is a single memorial for Dancers Yao

This is a beautiful tribute to Dr. Kara Bennett (RL), Dancers Yao (SL) which celebrates her life and legacy. Be sure to walk to the top for a beautiful view and to learn about her passion and work.

What you do is your history. What you set in motion is your legacy.

— LEONARD SWEET

USS Arizona Memorial - Oahu Paradise

The USS Arizona Memorial is a replica of the real USS Arizona Memorial in Oahu, Hawaii. Stop by to pay your respects to the fallen soldiers of Pearl Harbor attack. Launch an Hawaiian lei in the sea for remembrance of the lives lost that day. There are also photos and the wall of names of the people who lost their lives.

Please think about your legacy because you are writing it every day.

— GARY VAYNERCHUK

Before you leave, you may want to grab the Oahu Hud with activities and attractions where you can enjoy the Hawaiian life on the island of Oahu.

Community Virtual Library

Memorial Tribute to librarians and friends at the Community Virtual Library.

The Community Virtual Library is affiliated with the American Library Association and is a real library in a virtual world. The library is a great resource for educators and a wonderful place to just sit, relax, and read your favorite book. The library shares directories of simulations, subject experts, and virtual communities for learning and provides tours to explore high quality immersive experiences, such as these memorial garden tours.

The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.

— KALU NDUKWE KALU

A Tribute to The Victims & Heroes Who Lost Their Lives on September 11, 2001. 911 Memorial, World Trade Center, The Pentagon, NYC Fire, Police & Rescue, Flight 93, 11, 77, 175, WTC, 9-11, 911, Firemen, Port Authority, Paramedic.

Often in the real world we can’t get to all of the physical places, but in Second Life and other virtual worlds you can come back again and again to pay tribute to all of those we have lost and keep their memories alive.

— VALIBRARIAN GREGG

The Path Freedom - “I will see you again in the place where no shadows fall.”

The Path to Freedom Memorial honors all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and the millions of people who have been affected by the many wars America has had to face. Interactive memorial so be sure to click on the exhibits to learn more about the Path to Freedom.

This concluded Part I of our Memorial Garden Tours. We hope you will continue to explore more of the beautiful and inspirational Memorial Gardens with Part II of the tour.

Carve

your name

on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.

— SHANNON ADLER

Memorial Garden Tours: Part II

By Valibrarian Gregg (SL), Dr. Valerie Hill (RL)

On Friday, July 18, 2025 following the Nonprofits Common Meeting, Valibrarian Gregg once again served as tour guide as we continued Part II of our Memorial Garden Tour.

At the end of the NPC meeting before we began the tour, during the open mic part of the meeting attendees reflected on the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Mal Burns. Attendees shared stories, resources and reflected on the life and times of Mal. It seems he has been with us before or since many of us were rezzed in Second Life.

Mal passed away peacefully at his home the previous week and word was beginning to spread through the metaverse about losing him. Several attendees shared resources that were being posted around the Internet about Mal. (See our tribute to Mal following this article.) Others shared stories and reflections about Mal.

This conversation naturally led into the lighting of memorial candles and a moment of silence before we began our tour.

Lighting candles and a moment of silence to remember Mal Burns.

Ebbe Memorial Protected land - CEO SL

Individual tribute to Ebbe Altberg (1964-2021)

The first stop on our tour is the memorial in honor of Ebbe Altberg, CEO of Linden Lab, who passed away on June 3rd, 2021. For more information click here.

This is protected Linden land and the beautiful rocks and flowing waterfall create a fitting 3D memorialized place. This is a great example of a memorial for a specific individual who touched the lives of many in SL.

Flight 93 National Memorial

Next we visit a space that is on a more National level....the Flight 93 National Memorial. Flight 93 National Memorial is a tribute to the passengers and crew of Flight 93. At the center stands the Tower of Voices, a 93-foot structure with 40 wind chimes, each representing a life lost. Visitors can walk the path to the tower and hear the chimes, creating a solemn atmosphere of reflection and remembrance.

Peace Valley Pet Cemetery

Next, we visit a completely different type of memorial at the Peace Valley Pet Cemetery! Walk through the graveyard and see the fun and touching ways Residents choose to memorialize their little lost loves, both real and virtual. In addition to the cemetery, the build also comes complete with a chapel for delivering a fuzzy friend's last rites.

People also light memorial candles at the cathedral in Darkwood. Inside the chapel there are also seats for tinies and furries later.

Tailspinners Rest - Onlakaloha

Next, we visit Tailspinners Rest, a memorial site dedicated to fallen aviators from WW1, WW2 and the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf and Afghanistan wars. You can use your camera to zoom in or walk around this area. If you walk down the hill, you can view some old early airplanes!

This virtual exhibit was created by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Be sure to take time to visit “Witnessing History: Kristallnacht, the November 1938 Pogroms.”

We entered the main building at the gazing pool memorial entrance. The first room we

walked into is the "processing center." From here you can go through to the immersive experience. Click on the little blue "i" information balls to learn more.

Immersive memorial - takes you into the tragedy.

Here is a destroyed synagogue. Use your camera to look around at the destruction. There is a sign here: Dur Sturmer? You can learn more here. This is a great example of an immersive memorial!

Fred “Patty” Broyhill Memorial Park, Morgantown Heterocera

Our next stop is at the Fred "Patty" Broyhill Memorial Park. It is a space to honor an SL resident who shared immersive emergency management.

Fred, also known as Patty, was a District Chief of Gridwide Mobile Emergency Department, Chief of the now closed Fox Hollow County Ambulance Authority, and a member of many other SL emergency groups. He passed away at the young age of 20. He is also known virtually for his leadership positions on GTA roleplaying communities, and in ArmA milsim units.

While we were here, Val said, “Rescue simulations are purposeful and helpful! I mean, you cannot practice running into a burning building or helping people in a tornado very well in the physical world. But here in SL, you can!”

This memorial garden, like the others we have visited illustrates just how real our virtual friendships are.

Living Memories Memorial Garden

We ended our tour at the Living Memorial Garden, which has been preserving the legacies of our friends, colleagues, and loved ones in Second Life since 2015. This is a beautiful, tranquil and serene area with four different levels. Be sure to use the teleport to visit each one.

Living Memories offers a free plaque next to the tree of your choice and a candle to remember your loved one. You can learn more about the Living Memorial Garden at their website.

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

— WARREN BUFFETT

At the end of the tour, Brian Aviator said, “I once read a saying about the fact that we die twice. Once when we originally die, and again when the last person that remembers us dies as well. Memorials help with that.” So true!

This concluded Part II of our Memorial Garden Tours in Second Life. As more and more of us are losing our friends and colleagues, these Memorial tributes are becoming more and more important for preserving the life, the legacy and the spirit of those we love. A special thanks to Valibrarian Gregg for leading us on these two tours.

We hope you will take advantage of the information and SLurls and visit these beautiful and inspirational Memorial Gardens. There are also Memorial Gardens and tributes to people, places, and important events popping up in the OpenSims, such as Kitely, Wolf Territories, and others. Memorial Gardens are a perfect way for all of us to pay tribute to the life and legacies of those we have lost and continue to keep their spirit, passion and work alive!

ADDITIONAL MEMORIALS to visit

Two of the people who were on the tour shared the following Memorials with the group. We share them here.

Recommendations by Dex Euromat:

Echo Group - Band of Brothers - Ebbe Memorial Protected Land

For Veterans by Veterans. New Resident, PTSD, Suicide Awareness, Veteran, education, military, dance, club, free, gardens, fountains, games, crisis, fishing, Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Serenity, campfire, aquarium, fort.

CDS Temples of the Goddess Exhibit (Memories of Women)

Museum of Contemporary Art for the C.D.D. at Neufreistadt

The community owned centre for cultural and artistic events in Neufreistadt; one of the six regions of the Confederation of Democratic Simulators. C. D. S. is 20 years old in 2024.

Archdiocese of Lepanto - Faithful to the Catholic Church

A third of a sim open for all of good will in which to explore, meditate, contemplate, pray. Includes Mater Dolorosa Cathedral and lots more, on four levels. Don't miss the teleport pads and our neighbor churches on the sim!

Recommendations by Beth Ghostraven

RFL Chapel of Hope Preservation Society - Caledon Memorial

Windows of Remembrance, Cathedral, IOW

Ancient home of the council of wyrms Dragons. A place for dragons, hatchies, tinys, humans and anyone that enjoys a friendly community.

Times Memorial in Seagwipo by Francesca Alva

American Cancer Society - ACS Memorial Garden

Explore the history of the American Cancer Society in Second Life in the ACS Museum.

You can also view other Memorial Tributes on the Second Life Destination website.

If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.

Write for VEJ

WRITE FOR VEJ - SHARE YOUR STORIES

The Virtual Education Journal (VEJ) was founded in 2011 and is Edovation’s flagship publication for digital and virtual learning. The journal is published four times each year (i.e., Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) with issues organized by a specific topic/ theme, but includes non-thematic articles as well.

The purpose of VEJ is to: share the work that educators are doing in digital and virtual environments; disseminate educational and technological research, tools, and best practices; document and preserve the culture, social relations, digital work, environments, and digital artifacts; encourage and promote the work of educators and their students to effectively and seamlessly utilize digital tools; and celebrate the lives, accomplishments and preserve the learning and legacies of educational leaders.

VEJ is interested in learners of all ages. We are always looking for educators, students and/or self-directed learners to share what is happening in virtual environments, digital and online learning (e.g., curricula, instruction, strategies, and assessments). What tools are being used? How are educators engaging students differently in virtual environments and with digital online learning? What impacts are AI, VR, ARm and Mixed Reality having? What are the take-aways? What is being learned through research and best practices that can be shared with others?

We are also interested in professional learning and growth in virtual environments. For example, how are Pre-service Teacher Education Programs through Graduate School Education Programs teaching, learning, connecting and networking with

each other and their students? What are other professional learning organizations doing (e.g., medical, engineering, non-profits, parks & recreation) and how are they using virtual and digital environments including AI, VR, AR for professional learning, simulations, roleplay and training activities? But, because we believe in a balanced life, we are also interested in how educators are exploring virtual and digital environments for their own personal learning, well-being, social relationships, networking, and connections.

The Virtual Education Journal seeks to document and archive the work that is being done by, with, and for educators in order to share, disseminate and replicate it around the world and throughout the metaverse! We especially welcome articles from educators, artists, designers, builders, entertainers, librarians and authors who are using virtual environments and digital learning to hone their craft, further their knowledge, skills, dispositions, and engage in life-long learning. We are interested in articles that push the envelope of thinking to show not only how best practices and effective teaching strategies are used inside the box, but also what is happening outside the box.

VEJ is only as good as we all make it! WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send your suggestions, queries and/or articles and pictures to editor@virtualeducationjournal.com or rvojtek@edovation.org. You can also contact Roxie Neiro in SL or on Discord, roxieneiro_11417 for additional information. Be sure to use a notecard when contacting her in SL as her IM’s and messages are always capped and she doesn’t want to miss anything.

The Virtual Education Journal offers no payments for articles. VEJ is also not peer-reviewed. Decisions regarding publication are made by the editor and staff.

Please submit articles, approximately 500 – 1800 words. Use Word or Google Docs (no PowerPoint or Google slides); Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial in size 12 font. We want and encourage the use of pictures! Please be sure your pictures and graphics are the highest resolution possible (using png, tiff, jpeg, psd) in a separate file. It is also helpful if you send a list of captions you would like to have for each of your pictures. In addition, you can embed your pictures/graphics in the article so we see where or how you would like them placed. But, most importantly, be sure to send your highest quality pictures/graphics in a separate file.

Again, send your questions and/or article submission to: editor@virtualeducationjournal.com or rvojtek@edovation.org

Be sure to put “VEJ” in the subject line.

You may submit articles and pictures at any time. We publish four issues of VEJ 4 per year: Winter; Spring; Summer; and Fall.

Again, manuscripts, editorial correspondence, and questions about submissions should be sent to Roxie/Rosie via editor@virtualeducationjournal.com, to rvojtek@edovation.org; on Discord: roxieneiro_11417, or give them to Roxie Neiro on a notecard in Second Life.

You can find more information and see previous issues of VEJ on our website at: www. virtualeducationjournal.com or on our stack at issuu.com/edovation.

Be sure to visit our Second Life Virtual Education Journal (VEJ) Headquarters and Edovation Administrative Office at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Waterstone/211/106/25

VEJ Headquarter Office at Non Profit Commons (NPC): http://maps.secondlife. com/secondlife/Plush%20Nonprofit%20Commons/38/153/25

VEJ Headquarters and Conference Center on Wolf Territories at: hop://grid. wolfterritories.org:8002/Wolf Territories Grid Welcome Area/530/502/30

VEJ Headquarters and Edovation Administrative Office on Kitely hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Virtual Education Journal, Edova/131/130/22

Be sure to join the Virtual Education Journal Group in Second Life, Kitely, and Wolf Territories to get the latest news and information about each VEJ issue and to be invited to special events.

Join us on Social Media at: Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/muhtwknp Twitter: @VEJournal

Bluesky: @vejournal.bsky.social Website: www.virtualeducationjournal.com

Email: editor@virtualeducationjournal.com

VEJ on Discord so that you can get the latest news as well as talk with authors and readers: https://discord. gg/3XzrXVzB

Submission Deadlines are:

Fall 2025 – October 15, 2025

Winter 2026 – January 15, 2026

Spring 2026 – April 15, 2026

Summer 2026 – July 15, 2026

We look forward to seeing your articles and pictures published soon in VEJ! Thank you for sharing your work and experiences with us.

Keep Smiling :)

Roxie Neiro (RL)

Rosie Vojtek (SL

Future Themes:

Spring 2025

Digital Legacy

Summer 2025

Hypergrid: Traverse the Medeverse

Fall 2025

AI Transformers

Winter 2026

Community Building

Spring 2026

The Whole Avatar

Summer 2026

Legends

Published by © Edovation 2025

Spring 2025 Issue ISSN 3066-2079