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: Transformation
Infinite Reality: Avatars, Eternal Life and New Worlds
On a busy day such as today I’ve little to say about this video other that “Watch it!” Absolutely fascinating, with respect both to emerging technologies and to social interacting in virtual environments.
UPLOADING: IT AIN’T IMMORTALITY, IT’S BUILDING A BUDDHA
UPLOADING: IT AIN’T IMMORTALITY, IT’S BUILDING A BUDDHA. Uploading is often seen as a form of immortality. The body may succumb to decay, but the mind–now independent of any one substrate–can copy/transfer itself to a replacement body. However, we know … Continue reading
Life 2.0
“That’s why it’s called the web: because you get stuck in it” I’ve been hearing about Jason Spingarn-Koff’s Second Life documentary, Life 2.0, for probably close to a year now, watched the trailer a couple of months back, and was … Continue reading
My avatar, my ‘imaginary friend’: the importance of play in social virtual worlds
“Imaginary friends”, writes Suzanne Hall, are a happy, if mysterious, part of childhood. You may have trouble remembering the names of your grandchildren’s imaginary pals, or exactly what species they are, but you needn’t worry that their existence is a … Continue reading
‘Trapped in a perfect world’
I remember one day–I’ll never forget–I was about four years old and I was playing one day and I saw the cellar door open, just a crack. Now my folks had always warned me “Emo, whatever you do, don’t go … Continue reading
Augmentationism, Immersionism, and other theological dilemmas
The Lord’s Prayer I first heard the Second Life Lord’s Prayer in probably early-to-mid 2008 somewhere in, if my memory serves me well, the steampunk sims of Caledon. I was at that time curious as to why it was Philip … Continue reading
OBSOLETING THE UPLOAD DILEMMA
INTRODUCTION “Who are you”? is a question we like to ask on this blog. It also happens to be a question transhumanists like to explore. Nowhere is this more apparent than in discussions surrounding the concept of ‘mind uploading’. For … Continue reading
“I bet you don’t have fur and a fluffy tail in RL!”
OK, I admit it: I’m not 25 years old. Or 30. Or however old my avatar may look. And you are probably no spring chicken either. Nor do I, in real life, have the kind of body that suggests I’ve … Continue reading
Slinki, Leary, God, and Acid
Thematically related to my earlier posting on SL in historical context, what follows is nonetheless, as much as anything else, a purely autobiographical reflection. Skip it if that’s not your cup of tea. By the age of 14 I pretty much … Continue reading
SL in historical context
The following is purely speculative, ill thought through, vague, and inconclusive, from my still sleepy Saturday morning head that cannot even, at this time, feel bothered to check facts or references. I’ll think of this as a memo to myself … Continue reading
The Unlimited Dream Company 