The Story of My “Second Life”

Global Kids … DELIVER

Originally uploaded by kjarrett.

Finally have Internet connectivity for the first time since leaving my room this morning (why isn’t the Internet I am paying $12.95 a day for available ELSEWHERE in the #^*#$*&^ hotel?) … I figure I can get one reflective posting done before heading to the educator’s meetup dinner in about 45 minutes.

This remarkable day started with a mad rush to get Peggy’s exhibit table ready before Philip Linden’s opening keynote, and the pace just quickened from there. I have at least three or four blog postings in my head right now, it’s truly unfortunate that I couldn’t live blog them. For some reason, taking notes into a flat file just isn’t the same. Yes, it’s true, without the Internet, I could not write. :)

I do what to say a few words about the incredibly poised, professional and powerful presentation made by this quartet of amazing students representing Moo Money, the undisputed queen of Second Life machinima.

Most importantly, they humbly let their work speak for itself, including this piece, A Child’s War:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nK54WRu0jW4

This video focuses on child soldiers in Uganda and was informed by first-person, primary source research the kids conducted themselves with a former Ugandan child soldier.

The Global Kids program (of which the Second Life initiatives are only a small part) is making an enormous difference in the lives of these kids. Funding by the Macarthur Foundation makes it possible, and Barry Joseph provides the vision, and he and the rest of the outstanding GK team do the rest. It was truly a sight to see. To get an idea what these kids are all about, check out their bios. Truly amazing. Congrats, everyone. NICE WORK.

Pics from the GK Flickr pool are here.

I’m heading out for dinner … wonder if I can carry on a conversation while I finish writing these other blog posts in my head? ;-)

-kj-