One of Rafe's friends had told him about the Starbucks test. The test people who meet in real life (after meeting online) should undergo for their first encounter.
It's easy for people to get caught up in the moment of cyber fun and excitement. People develop feelings and emotions for the person "behind the avatar" and often there is wistful discussions of meeting in real life for real. Those of us who are active in virtual worlds have probably heard or know a person who attempted to meet a virtual friend and got stood up, or scammed.
The starbucks test is the first step in determining if someone is really interested in moving forward. Are they willing to say they will meet you for a coffee and just chat. No hugs, no kisses, no promises, no attachments... just a coffee.
When Rafe asked me if I would meet with him in real life... and would I meet with him at a Starbucks, I told him I absolutely would. In the end... we didn't make it to a Starbucks until our 3rd or 4th day together. We kind of skipped that test. But we did take a moment to have a little sit down at Starbucks in SL. So, what "tests" do you have for meeting someone new?
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I know this is a little off topic, but I feel I must share. Second Life in the early days was very much about collaborations and helping one another. As it matured it has become more about commerce. I hope we do not loose the spirit of collaboration.
The arts and nonprofits in Second Life still afford us a chance to come together in the spirit of collaboration. We have a chance to change the world and create a world that is as we wish it was in real life. We can learn from one another.
The Survivors of Suicide Project in Second Life is a suicide prevention program. In these uncertain times and economic stress more people are feeling isolated, alone, that they don't matter, and want to give up. Each and everyone of us can make a difference just by reaching out to one another. Spend that little bit more time and get to know a new person. People all around us are dealing with depression. Most of us with depression wear a mask and hide out true feelings.
I need your help, in getting the word out about suicide prevention. Help me distribute the Suicide Prevention kiosks. Get involved and any way you can. Step forward and say we are going to stop suicide in our lifetime by talking about it. We need to get it out of the closet and make it a topic that it is ok to talk about. I would love volunteers, everyone has something they can do to get involved.
If you have a sim, store, build, please consider posting a Suicide Prevention kiosks. I am also in great need of sponsors to help this project grow, need to get ads in the SL magazines, on the SL TV, blogs and billboards. Please, please lets do something about this preventable tragedy.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Haetae/160/30/97
Krissy Sinclair
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