Many people I meet, especially those outside the tech industry, are frequently unsure of what to make of virtual worlds/Second Life. Either they can’t disconnect the concept from video games, or they simply “don’t get the point;” regardless, what is missing for these people is a logical application, a use, a function.

That is why virtual conferences are usually the first scenario I mention; every working soul can relate to them, and immediately grasp the obvious benefits a virtual conference would have over a real one. Who can argue against spending less money, cutting your environmental impact, and skipping the other stresses associated with forced business travel?

Linden Lab recently published a case study detailing how IBM has used Second Life, titled: “How Meeting In Second Life Transformed IBM’s Technology Elite Into Virtual World Believers.” It provides a pretty good review, mixing attendees’ reactions with stories of individuals and departments within the organization that were behind it all. I encourage readers who are skeptical about virtual worlds and particularly their use in business to look over this short report – maybe IBM’s experience will inspire you.

[PDF - How Meeting In Second Life Transformed IBM’s Technology Elite Into Virtual World Believers]

I dug up this is discussion from Fortune Brainstorm titled “2018: Life on the Net,” featuring Lawrence Lessig (professor of Law at Stanford Law School), Joichi Ito (CEO of Creative Commons and Chairman of Six Apart Japan), and Philip Rosedale (founder and chairman of Linden Lab, who operate Second Life). It’s from July ‘08, which in internet age can make it almost irrelevant. In this case, however, the conversation remains fresh and interesting. The funniest moment: an attendee with a Southern accent calling Joi Ito, who has 24(!) current positions on LinkedIn, a ‘venture communist.’

Topics covered include: law stifling media technology, open source, venture capital trends and ethics, the internet requiring ‘environmental protection’, 2D/3D interface hybrids, producer-driven culture, and an “internet 9/11.”

[Google Video - 2018: Life on the Net]

“Machinima.com lets us put our work in front of an audience that already knows and loves our style of writing and is embracing new forms of digital entertainment,” said Bill Oakley, an Emmy-winning writer and past showrunner of The Simpsons. “We get to do what we love the most—write and create fun content while Machinima.com handles all the production, marketing and distribution.”

As pointed out by Patric M. Verrone, an Emmy-winning writer and president of WGA West, “This is the future of comedy in new media – a fast and low cost way for writers to create shows that attract an existing audience…We’re thrilled to break ground and forge a relationship that empowers independent production and gives writers both creative freedom and financial participation.”

It’s great to see Machinima in the mainstream and have professionals move away from “traditional” forms of animation technology. These types of project will unquestionably propel the industry forward. I look forward to see what these great minds will do.

[ via Kotaku and SiteOffiline]

As reported by O’Reilly, Google is continuing to heavily invest in GeoData on multiple fronts – from exclusive deals with satellite companies to their in-house projects such as Street View and Map Maker. The company has recently released a few images that illustrate their progress.

Om writes about his experience with the recent Mumbai crisis, and being glued to a variety of media sources — from both social media accounts and established news outlets. He explains his frustrations with sources such as Twitter, where there is an unprecedented amount of information being fed from both first hand experiences as well as constant retweets; however, Om argued this content lacks the clarity needed to truly understand the situation (which I agree with, but nonetheless provides information quicker than any other source I am privy to).

Om makes an interesting point at the end of his article, writing, ” …the future of media is being split into two streams: one that consists of raw news that comes like a torrent from sources such as Twitter, mobile messages and photos, the other, from old media. The eyewitness dispatches (and photos) via social media are an adjunct to the more established media — which needs to focus on providing analysis, context, and crucially, intelligence — in real time. And yet it is old media — and their next-generation counterparts, the blogs and other Internet outlets — that will have to adapt to this. Of course, the biggest adaption will need to come from the public, those of us who aren’t there ourselves.”

This is a provocative point, and I happen to disagree. I believe that the future of media is in the hybridization and ultimate fusing of these sources. With the introduction of social media as a news source, with services like YouTube or Flickr, we saw this media split Om is discussing. Where users were posting their immediate accounts of events often quicker then established news outlets. Eventually these news outlets adopted a social media component, where anybody could connect with established media outlets to report on news driven by average citizens. This is now.

I believe the future of media is going to lose the distinction between established and user driven news. The reliance of established media on individuals outside of their news organization has been on a upwards trend. This will reach a tipping point, where the value of user driven news will outweigh the value, accuracy and ultimate immediacy of internal teams. This is not to say that there will no longer be these teams, in fact, I believe they will be stronger due to their seamless connection with users.

The divide, as we know today, will not exist. BUT, Wolf Blitzer will probably not be reading a Twitter feed on his show.