The document presents the research goals of a project exploring concepts of community and identity in Second Life. The project aims to (A) understand how residents define community, (B) examine how identity construction impacts community formation, (C) create an "ideal community" to study user behavior, and (D) investigate how the "hyperindividualistic" self interacts with virtual and real communities. It also discusses inspiring hostel structures and the representation of community through beehive analogies. The conclusion reflects on how perceptions of community are individually based and influenced by desires for a "hyper" lifestyle.

2. Hypermodernity as a cultural effect produces
the mentality of hyperconsumption, which
in turn produces a “hyperinividualistic” self
- reinforcing the sovereignty of “selfabsorbed consumers, enabling them to
gratify instantly their desires and to
structure their own individualized time,
space, and leisure activities” (Gottshalk,
506).
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3. If the hyperindividualistic self exists, then
it seems to be living in a virtual paradox.
Second Life is able to host a
“hyperindividualistic” self because it
allows residents to interact, create and
explore with few consequences.
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4. RESEARCH PROJECT GOALS
A. To establish what “community” means to SL residents
B. Explore how self-representation and identity in virtual
worlds affect the formation and nature of “communities”
C. Build an abstract representation of an “ideal community”
in SL to encourage residents to analyze their actions
within the confines of our “idea community”
D. Uncover whether the hyperindividualistic self in real life
and virtual life can merge
1. Is it abandoned when entering SL?
2. What effect is there on users in RL when exiting SL?
E.
Is “hyper-” a natural or culturally created prefix?
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5. A. COMMUNITY IN SECOND LIFE
“Communities define themselves in terms of interpersonal
interactions, culture, behaviour standards, manner of
communication, purpose in creating the ambience for a
particular lifestyle, production of products to serve the public,
and added anonymity to engage in certain practices.” ( Anstdat
et. al., 2013)
Q: [12:40] arir987: Do you feel a stronger connection to your
community in second life or real life?
A: [12:43] Ami Deceit: hmm... i have a stronger connection on
SL. In RL i'm an artist who works at home and my business is
online... so all my networking is done online. I don't really get
out much in my RL community, and when I do, it's at odd hours
of the night.
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6. B. SELF REPRESENTATION AND IDENTITY
Explore how self-representation and identity in
virtual worlds affect the formation and nature of
“communities”
• Community can be created based on ONE
common interest, despite varying characteristics
• Why is there a constant need for one to (re)define
themselves within a community?
[14:49] arir987: What advice would you give to someone who wants to join a
community in SL?
[14:50] LilyStrummer: have fun and be yourself
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7. 7

8. WHY A HOSTEL?
• Our inspiration to build a hostel was mainly based on the
success of the Virtual Chelsea Hotel
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9. “The Virtual Chelsea Hotel is the official virtual
reproduction of NYC’s Real Chelsea Hotel. We
feature live music; DJ-ed events and 25 art
galleries. It’s also a place where you can rent
rooms and apartments and live out all your
Chelsea Bohemian Dreams. New residents are
always welcome in this friendly community.”
(“The Virtual Chelsea Hotel, Secondlife.com)
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10. WHY A HOSTEL? (CONT’D)
• A hostel is a supportive environment, which creates a
safe and open space
• Typically a social accommodation
• It exemplifies an ideal example of community in relation
to virtual worlds
• Its existence is based solely on the collectivity of strangers
• Hostels are undeniably an important aspect of
communities
• They employ from, host, create experiences, and are
representative of an accumulated variety of backgrounds
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11. STRUCTURAL INSPIRATION:
ATELIERD’S HOTEL FOR BEES
“[A] 20 sq meter pavilion for both bees and humans alike . . . that acts as a
refuge for both bees and humans and encourages them to co-mingle and
enjoy nature” (Meinhold)
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12. STRUCTURAL INSPIRATION:
ATELIERD’S HOTEL FOR BEES
“The interior space is the human component of the „bee hotel‟, in which
humans can sit on hexagonal benches while watching the bees at work – it is
hoped that the K-abeilles Hotel will ultimately encourage a greater cohesion
between man and nature.” (Taylor)
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13. THE HONEYCOMB HOSTEL
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14. REPRESENTATION (BEEHIVE CONCEPT)
• The beehive concept represents a communal, dependent
existence
• Each hexagonal space is reliant on one another in order
to create a functioning space
• Use of circular shapes represent the concept of “unity”
• Similar to a beehive, when humans inhabit the various
hexagonal spaces of our hotel, they assist in sustaining
the environment
• Paradox: relationship between space and community
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15. AESTHETIC REPRESENTATIONS
• The rooftop garden is representative of building
opportunities in SL
• Environments ranging from realistic and fantasy
• White is a representation of modernity
• Virtual worlds are a highly modern environment
• Our ability to translate desired personas from RL
into SL creates entirely new possibilities for
“community”
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16. D. REAL LIFE VERSUS SECOND LIFE
Can the hyperindividualistic self in RL and SL merge?
• Hyperindividualistic self is both equally present in
SL and RL
• All actions are pursued for self-purpose
• Self-absorption can be a rejection or involvement of
a community
• Both exist to satisfy desires and avoid unhappiness
[13:24] arir987: Do you feel that SL has a strong sense of community?
[13:26] paetricia: yes but the vary alot its all what your looking for you have
your adult communtys gothic, adventure, ect theres something for everyone
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17. E. NATURAL OR CULTURAL?
Is “hyper-” a natural or culturally created prefix?
• “Hyper-” is natural, but culturally intensified
• The “hyper-”ness of SL establishes the possibility
for improved quality of real life
• The world is in a constant state of “hyperdevelopment”
• Evolution can equate to “hyper-development” as
attributed to the constant enhancement of
technology
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18. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
• Originally, we had planned to discuss what “community”
regards
• Our findings restructured our original hypothesis
• Community is an external projection
• Perception is individually-based
• As a group we couldn‟t agree on why and how a
“community” exists
• This is because it is influenced by our own hyperindividualism
• What is the future of communities? What is the future for
our RL existence w/ our growing desire for a “hyper-”ed
lifestyle
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19. SURROGATES (2009)
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20. WORKS CITED
Anstadt, Scott, Shannon Bradley, Ashley Burnette, & Lesley
L. Medley. "Virtual worlds: Relationship between real life and
experience in Second Life." The International Review of
Research in Open and Distance Learning [Online], 14.4
(2013): n. pag. Web.
Gottschalk, Simon. "The Presentation of Avatars in Second
Life: Self and Interaction in Social Virtual Spaces." Symbolic
Interaction 33.4 (2010): 501-25. ProQuest. Web. 29 Nov. 2013.
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21. WORKS CITED (CONT’D)
Meinhold, Bridgette. "AtelierD's Giant Honeycomb Bee Hotel
Attracts Pollinators & Humans Alike Read more: AtelierD's
Giant Honeycomb Bee Hotel Attracts Pollinators & Humans
Alike | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco
Architecture, Green Building ." Inhabitat: design will save the
world. Internet Brands, Inc. Property, 02 Jun 2013. Web. 3 Dec
2013.
Taylor, Donna. "K-abeilles Hotel is a shelter for bees – and
humans." Gizmag. Gizmag, 07 Feb 2013. Web. 3 Dec 2013.
“The Virtual Chelsea Hotel." Second Life: Destination Guide:
Real Life. Linden Research, Inc. , n.d. Web. 3 Dec 2013.
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