Good use of media and ethnographic detail. Your ideas of an emergent Christian community, one that does not segregate and that seeks to connect with a broad spectrum of interconnected online communities throughout the network is a great way to frame the project. As you said, this understanding came to you just recently, so of course it was not easy to clearly organize the presentation around this theme in so little time. With more prep, you will be able to begin the presentation with more of a solid statement, a bang, and a small oral map as to where you will take us.
I think the tangent regarding your avatar’s Christian identity and its possible parallel in your everyday life experience as a churchgoer taking an ironic distance or a perpetual disconnect is interesting for also talking about the new forms of attachment, connection, experimentation made possible through the use of avatars – and this you did elaborate on. If anything, you should make this a central point in your presentation. Does this freedom of experimentation through middle voice/middle experience work to the e-vangelical advantage? Is there a space of creative engagement that has caused a loosening of the grip on potential converts of the evangelicals? Is it a space where many people now flock of their own accord because of this new creative freedom?
Like Alysha, you are talking about a space of collisions (pornographers as neighbors, for example), that has softened evangelism, making it more continuous with the entire networked ecology.
Overall, I would dwell even harder on ethnographic detail, fully re-evoking for us your encounters and using instance by instance to elaborate your excellent points. I think you can easily make an excellent presentation for the conference by telling us some pointed stories with narrative, photos, etc, slipping in and out of them into ‘ideas’ and sticking to a set organization.
December 10, 2007 at 9:27 pm
We could have discussed this presentation for hours, as its form and your actions to gather data were wrapped up in paradox. I agree with Jason that you should make the distinction you’ve made between your avatar and your own religious convictions central. Maybe staggering that discussion through your data and other points.
December 11, 2007 at 1:23 am
The fact, actually, that your avatar is a Christian and you’re not is very interesting to me.
At the beginning of the semester -when first experiencing SL, etc.- I had some “identity” issues with my avatar because I never really saw her as an “extension” or “representation” of me necessarily (when the rest of the class did with theirs.)
So I identify with you in that sense and I agree with Jeff that the discussion could have gone on and on for hours.
Great topic!
T
December 13, 2007 at 3:55 am
I liked the section where you had a headline for designing worship, you could show how a space is created with the specific purpose of spiritual engagement. I think you mentioned something about gothic cathedrals, etc. I am not sure if you went into details about how the worship spaces are designed in SL, and how people react or relate to the space. Then there is the thing about your avatar being religious etc. I think that unless you are prepared to completely explain the very complex issue of virtual vs real presence, the dual persona concept should be approached with care. I think that to say ‘well my avatar is, I am not’ is an easy way out. I think that your topic (e-vangelism) is interesting, but just like in other presentations I want to see what was like (felt, inferred) from your observation and participation.
-Juan
December 19, 2007 at 11:55 pm
I enjoyed watching the videos from GodTube. Also, your research on the E-vangelical social networks and how Christians represent themselves in these new spaces as compared to in RL was very engaging.
I agree with Jeff that the religious distinctions between you and your avatar are very thoughtful and could be more of a main focus.
Overall,
Great Job!