Second Life: A Disruptive Technology

Thornburg (2009) explains that a disruptive technology is a new technology with the same functions of existing technology, but function more efficiently and then obsoletes that technology. Disruptive technologies have always been in existence and can basically come out of nowhere. Thornburg (2009) describes these types of technologies as “wild cards” they can hit the scene at any time and can create a huge disturbance on the existing technology. One technology that has become a disruptive technology is a website called “Second Life.” “Second Life is a 3D virtual world where everyone seen is a real person and every place visited is built by anyone,” (Second Life, 2012). This technology is a disruptive technology because it disrupts the flow of online video games, internet surfing, distant learning and social networking. This technology allows for individuals to indulge into a world full of fantasies and excitement creating any and everything they have ever dreamed of. There is no cost to join and is very user-friendly. Although Second Life hasn’t completely taken over the social and educational front, it is becoming more and more popular every day.

With Second Life gaining much popularity, one must wonder when it will end. Everything has an expiration date and Second Life is any different than the next technology. With technology becoming more efficient every day, I personally think that Second Life may have another 5 years on the scene before another emerging technology replaces. Once a formula is created that becomes popular, it’s only a matter of time before someone creates a similar, but better technology that functions more efficiently. An example of this is cell phones. As soon as one model of a cell phone comes out, it becomes very popular and everyone must have one. Very shortly, sometimes within months, a better cell phone hits the market making the existing cell phone obsolete. The newer phone is just a tad bit nicer with more gadgets. This cycle with cell phones and all other technologies will go on for a lifetime.

Although Second Life is used for many things, there is a huge social benefit for becoming a member. One social benefit of this technology is that people with the same likes and interest can interact on all sorts of levels. Another social benefit of Second Life is it gives individuals a place where that can meet people from all over the world can share their ideas on this one site. They can see how each other’s cultures are and basically learn about each other. In my industry, which is education, virtual worlds can be very beneficial. This can be a place where students can go and hang out virtually with other students from their school or other schools within their city or all over the globe. Students will also be able to share information about their schools and create a virtual world of their school so others can take a look into their world. Teachers can also use this as a tool for students to see show how other people around the world interact.

 

Thornburg, Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Disruptive technologies. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Second Life. (2012). Second Life: Your World. Your Imagination. Retrieved from  http://secondlife.com/?lang=en-US