So that's what it's all about

Sometimes I learn things in the most circuitous ways. I've read Garcia Marquez and Isabel Allende, and even Yann Martel, but it took George Bush deciding to mimic Ronald Reagan and buying a "ranch" in Crawford, Texas for me to finally understand.

"Magical realism demonstrates that the most ostensibly mundane objects, examined closely enough, begin to assume phantasmagorical qualities." The literary technique known as 'magical realism' adds dimension and insight to how we think about the world around us. Something I'm going to learn more about.

The Art of Possibility

I recently attended the Virtual World Conference 2008 in New York City. It's been five years since the first State of Play conference in 2003, where it was all about big ideas. The possibility space for virtual worlds seemed enormous, and the challenge was all in how to build the structure and law to support this society with so much potential.

OK, maybe that was pretty idealistic.

But this most recent conference was largely a sad statement about what can happen when people start to channel their imaginations into commercial realities. Instead of thinking about how to shape and protect the civil rights of avatars the legal track was keynoted by "The Top 10 Things a Brand Should Know About Virtual Worlds". And the gentle folks from Mattel asserted that in fact a virtual world is a plaything.

"We fundamentally believe that virtual worlds are no different from CD-ROM games and are no different from toys," said Scothon. "It is a toy. It just doesn't come in plastic."

I continue to believe that there is genuine potential in the virtual world experience to change the way that we work, think, and connect around the globe. The art of possibility needs to be expanded and explored. We should be focused on understanding how this new way of coming together will allow us to build a global community with all the opportunity that suggests. Instead, the industry gets together and the focus is on building narrow experiences whose only purpose is "brand extension".

How disappointing.

History Will Not Judge?

Anthony LaFauce is worrying that all the ideas and thoughts expressed in millions of blog posts and tweets will be lost to the future because of the impermanence of digital media. An interesting idea, although I believe those ideas worth saving are generally saved in a variety of ways, many much more permanent than a tweet.

And yesterday I listened to a podcast where the question was whether personal virtue can make a difference in global warming. One theory says no; the earth will go on regardless of our efforts, and possibly without us, and new life will come about to replace us and those species we take down with us. The natural order of things. I have a feeling this is true, although I suspect if everyone were to agree the result could be a hopeless sort of thinking that there's no point in trying.

The interesting thing about both these existential questions is the self-centered nature of them. What if my ideas disappear? What if my society/my culture/my species disappears? I tend to think the more relevant concern and far more difficult behavior is learning to make the best unselfish choices you can, day to day, moment to moment.

While on a plane to NYC

The most beautiful time of day in the garden is late afternoon, when the sun seems to highlight every leaf and flower. I used to think the old bench in the corner was a bit of an eyesore, but as it gets grayer it looks softer and more a part of the surrounding trees.

I love this time of year when there is an hour or two of warm sunlight in the afternoon, inviting quiet and contemplation. The intense heat of the summer hasn't returned yet and there are birds everywhere. I just brought out the feeder and the eaves bell, and J hung up the temple bell. The meditation garden is taking shape in front of us with a promise of tranquility. I walked the path surrounding the redwoods and camelias at the end of the day, and everything slowed down.