About this blog
If, as predicted by Ray Kurzweil and others, most interpersonal interactions will by mid-century occur in virtual environments, we need to understand the psychological and cultural implications for education, business, governance, and for society overall.Taking its title from the J.G. Ballard novel of that name, the Unlimited Dream Company is an in-world research and discussion group for those interested in the ways in which technology shapes psychology in virtual worlds--and, in particular, those who believe that immersive 3D worlds have become a medium par excellence for thought experiment and personal transformation, whether intended by its 'residents' or not.
You are encouraged to read the introductory statement and About page before reading individual articles.
This blog was launched on 28th December 2010.
Category Archives: Friendship
The Ondrejka Definition
One of the mysteries of SL is why a few are captivated by it, when everyone must suffer problems like crashes and lag. Why do we not all quit? What hook can get someone committed to this online world? I … Continue reading
Will you be my friend?
Still very busy in my real working life, I’ve no time to write a long piece, so the following should be read as perhaps no more than a footnote to an earlier post on online friendships. Less than 24 hours … Continue reading
The Technology of ‘Friendship’
So you’ve had your SL account a while, and have made a few friends. You log into Second Life, and you see in your Contacts window that one or more of your friends is online, though elsewhere in-world. You wait … Continue reading
What is a ‘friend’?
At some point down the line when I’ve collated and reviewed my notes, I’ll be writing a great deal more about the meaning of ‘friendship’ in social networking application in general and in Second Life in particular. This morning, however, … Continue reading
The Unlimited Dream Company 