:eek: :eek: omg that's pretty nutty. So it's a commercial enterprise that JL got involved with and recuited Asperger Syndrome patients? Did he donate BT funds to create his island or did the patients have to pay?

Regardless, JL did many good things in the past and hopefully he's happy and gratified by his new job. With BT still AWOL, I think it's pretty clear that he has moved on. JL KNEW what a life line BT was to it's members. Something obviously changed. 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, is understandable. 2 months? no excuse.

I agree, a link to this place would be helpful to scattered members. I never would have found it, if I hadn't gotten an email.


I still don't understand their monetary exchange >>

I'll be willing to bet that they not only know about this place but post here as well

Since I was mentioned here I shall pipe up :D

I did tell David H about these forums and he said he already knew. I don't remember when I told him about them...but it was at least a week or two after I signed up.

I wanted him to come here and read some of the excellent ideas that were brought up. I haven't actually asked him if Mr. Lester knows about these forums...but I don't see how he couldn't.

Now about Second Life.

Wittesea you are correct about when Mr. Lester joined up with Second Life as an employee. It was after he created the Brigadoon island and had been there for awhile.

It is completely free to join. I've been playing in Second Life for at least a year now and haven't spent a dime.

As for why "healthy adults" pay for fake land and whatnot....I don't know.

I can't address most of what is posted in this thread. First: I've not read each post thoroughly enough to think I'm okay to do so.

But, an aspect of this thread I can address relates to the creation and participation in Brigadoon and as someone whom has been dx'd with AS (Asperger's Syndrome).

It's sorta like I'm sitting here asking myself: Why can't people understand? But, I get it. It's akin to trying to relay how it feels to have allergies to someone whom has never felt the ill-effects.

I've layed low during so much of the discussions about BT during its downtime. What's been important is that I know how I feel about BT and what it has meant to me.

When it comes to Brigadoon and SL (SecondLife), I'm gonna say: AS is much more than just a social disorder. As an adult I was dx'd. I had ample time to "acclimate" to queues - signals or subtle things people did. Smile when others speak, laugh when I didn't get the "punch lines" of jokes (and mostly ones that seemed to drag on for an eternity), etc. I also learned that people think that if one cannot look another in the eyes, some take that as a sign of "lying." But... did those same people whom suggest folks are lying ever stop to think about how Asperger's adversely affects the people living with it? Non-direct eye contact does not make all liars. It could be that the discomfort level is so unbearable that one just cannot do it. The work-around for people with AS? There are several, but... looking at the bridge of another's nose kinda helps :).

What does SL do? How does it help? Why would anyone participate?

It afforded me a level ground: Engaging with people who understand Asperger's and without being ostracized as a result. It is avatars, symbolizing living beings, that interact on a social level. People, and there are real people behind each AV created, are not being judged based on the same superficial things as in RL (real life). Because it is an interactive medium, people feel "heard." There is just so much negativity in life, and, quite frankly, I've not felt nearly the same level while participating in SL. An avatar is skin. And... SL is more than "skin" deep.

As it was/is/remains: So many people fear being "Labelled." I get why. I was dx'd and that was a good day in my life. No longer were doctors trying to medicate away something and take away what has been a staple of my life and my living. Some know Asperger's as a "Geek" syndrome. Whatever anyone wants to call it, fine by me... as long as the stigma is lifted - even gradually.

I posted a plethora of links in the Autism Forum (here) about adult AS. I somehow doubt many have visited the sites. It's clear.

Thanks for the great explanation and info Bobbi. I really appreciate you educating us about this. I appreciate everyone filling in a little piece of this mysterious virtual world for me.

I haven't read the links in the forum as I didn't know they were there. I will now though. I did think I could understand a bit how this virtual environment could add an important social dimension for those with AS or autism, my questions arose from people who do not suffer from these conditions and why anyone would spend real money on virtual "things" with no stable after market. I can't quite grasp that. And I guess I had a worry that those with social difficulties might be taken advantage of by others trying to sell them virtual things that may not be 'worth' anything and couldn't be sold again. My questions are truly out of ignorance, but sincere interest to learn so I hope if I put my foot in my mouth you understand that it was unintentional. I am sincere and not judging, just not understanding a new concept.

Has anyone at Second Life who is a member of BT been able to discuss this forum issue with JL? Is that a way that people have been able to reach him, in this virtual world?

I think I understand how a virtual world could connect people with AS or autism in a way that the real world was unable to facilitate. I would hope though that a virtual world wouldn't come to REPLACE efforts for those with AS or autism from working to develop as much potential as exists for real world live contact. I just am not sure cyberworlds can be substituted for some of those intangible aspects of human contact that are so important to living. But I'm not an expert, maybe that's not true. I plead my ignorance here but will read more to learn more. Thanks to those who are enlightening me.

I think Bobbi and a few others explained it pretty well. I had the sequences of origin switched around, but none the less it still helps many, many people. Like Bobbi said, unless you have Aspergers and use Brigadoon, which is within Second Life, you will more than likely not get it and not want to get it. No matter how we try to explain it to you.

As for the credit cards - Many internet sites require a credit card for identification purposes when you register. It keeps track of the users and also provides a way of finding someone should things get ugly. And sometimes it does, people go out of the game and lines blurr. SL may charge for "upgrades" in the game, I don't know about that. The concept of paying real money for nothing was created with the advancement of technology. A lot of people pay something for nothing. Subscriptions to websites for one. So why is the idea of paying a membership fee for an online "game" so hard to understand? Somebody has to pay for the upkeep and maintenance and possibly make a living while they're doing it. Capitalism at it's finest. But I don't think (again, I don't know for sure) that people are paying huge chunks of real cash for make believe clothing. Think of it as buying more pieces for their Monopoly game or more items for Dungeons and Dragons.

Again, the speed of criticism for something people know nothing about continues to amaze me.

Wittesea, I liked the way you asked your questions without criticizing. That's the way to do it!

Let the crucifiction continue! Did anyone see the sunrise this morning? I didn't, so it must not be there anymore.



Linda

Im not so sure that people are crucifiying...just asking questions. that's normal.

what ISNT normal...are feelings of abandonment, being left in a lurch, predujice, favoritism...and all the other negativity shown towards some members from the old Bt. It will take time for peoples feelings of trust to regain themselves, if ever...I dont think the problem stems "directly" from Jl, as it does his modsquad...

Oh, I didn't realize that had changed. I remember when JL first started playing SL (before Brigadoon and before he worked there) he put a link in the forums inviting BT people to join.... I'm not interested in online gaming, but by husband like gaming and so he checked SL out. I remember that it was free to join, free for a month, but then after that you had to pay to play - I think it was about $13 a month.

So that's why I assumed there was still a monthly fee involved.... I'm now guessing that the fee went away now that SL money is interchangable with real life money -- when my husband played for 2 weeks the money system in the game had nothing to do with real money.

Many thanks to Bobbi and others who have given a partial explanation of Brigadoon. I say "paritally" only because they do not have the time to give it's hisory (particulary as it relates to SL) in it's entirety. As Bobbi stated, Brigadoon provides a level playing field for those with AS.

A web search on Brigadoon would be wise in opposition to opinions of those who speak based on second, third and fourth hand information. Take some time, research the community and read the blogs from residents of the island (and their parents/loved ones). It will be time well spent.

Best wishes to one and all.......Jane

Hi, Wannabe (and all) :).

I shared some of the same concerns or thoughts that you relayed after joining SL. In truth, though, SL hasn't come to replace RL efforts or interactions.

With improved/increased ability to socialize and communicate with others in the virtual world, it also adds to confidence when in RL. Maybe, in part, it's attributed to the fact that in, i.e., SL, the foundation for communication starts with the premise that it really does take two to have any type relationship and it is quite obvious - in SL - when it's active or passive. The latter doesn't lend itself to SL. The "skills" attained and/or bolstered translate to RL ;).

So, I think, a more concise way of looking at it: SL, as far as I understand (from the inside) is that it augments RL.

In addition to Brigadoon, SL has also been useful for stroke survivors; there is another group in SL that was started by a BT member and it's entitled ShockProof :).