Mediated Discussion in Second Spaces: Athena

Given the demographics of SL users, it is not surprising that a number of women have found their way into virtual spaces as media writers and producers. Most women, however, appear to be involved in the print media, writing for the local virtual newspapers. The following entries take a look at broadcast programs airing on Second Life Cable Network (SLCN), coverage in Second Life newspapers, and content on SL Live Radio, as well as offer a context for their existence. For example, Cybergrrl Oh’s SLCN program Real Biz is a much larger project than merely the broadcast of a weekly program. It has grown into a community for its viewers.

Athena Isle: Cybergrrl Oh’s Real Biz Community

A significant amount of media content is devoted to gossip and entertainment in SL, but that is not always the case; one site offers a focus on non-profit groups and businesses within SL, and connects women professionally and personally to one another.

Consider the case of Athena Isle:

“Athena Isle is a Second Life community for writers, entrepreneurs, community builders, artists, women and moms. We hold weekly discussions with experts and authors and monthly gallery openings, parties and dances. We feature women's art in Athena Gallery and women's creations in Athena Wares.” (Cybergrrl, 2008)

This media group extends its reach to RL, with a blog outside of the virtual world connecting both realities. Even when you are not inside SL, you can catch the latest business buzz from Cybergrrl Oh, a self-described “seasoned business reporter in both her First Life and Second Life” (Cybergrrl, 2008): “I'm the host of REAL BIZ in SL. In real life, I'm a writer, blogger, and a freelance radio and TV producer. In Second Life, I can fly.”

Cybergrrl is producer and host of Real Biz on SLCN.TV. The live weekly program spotlights companies and non-profit organizations, with a screen hit of more than 10,000. One can view the show live on the Web on Mondays, 2PM PST (SLT). It is archived and available on both SLCN.TV and iTunes. A sample invite on the blog for example reads:

11/10/08 2 PM Screening on Athena Isle at Athena Isle
Stop by Athena Isle to attend a screening of Second Life Cable Network show REAL BIZ in SL live with guest Vivartia 7 Days Magic Bakery.

One gets a sense of the show’s content from its blog. Here are some photo excerpts on various 2008 shows, as promoted on the “Real Biz” blog, which is part of the larger Cybergrrl site of Athena Isle:More impressive is the fact that several other women have created a media collective on Athena Isle in SL: “Cybergrrl also co-owns Athena Isle with 7 other women. She manages Athena Isle HQ where she hosts weekly roundtable discussions with authors and experts on Tuesdays at 12pm SLT (PST). She also [interviews] book authors and writing and publishing experts for Story Mountain, a writers retreat on Athena Isle” (Cybergrrl, 2008).

Cybergrrl is targeted toward professional women, who might also be moms, but it has tapped into a connection beyond the professional to the personal. The team warmly welcomes all RL moms, inviting tips and advice to its blog readers and its isle visitors.

Amusing comments by Cybergrrl Oh include the following excerpt from her blog post:

“Yes, in real life, I have a very active (translation: exhausting) 16-month old baby girl. But in SL, I'm child-free and actually want to keep it that way!...So bottom line: I do not want a baby in SL. I don't even want my avatar to ever appear pregnant. Been there and done that in RL and not about to do it again - at least not yet… What motivates women
to make their avis pregnant anyway? They must not have kids in RL. Or they are those supermommies who love being mommies all the time and were basically put on this earth to be mothers. That, I hate to admit, is not me. Do I go to SL to escape my RL? Not really. The things I do in SL are extensions of what I do in RL, at least in terms of work. And the friendships I'm making in-world are as good, if not better, than the ones I make on Twitter and other online venues. So I'm not really looking for a life in SL that is wildly different from my own… Anyway - I've started a group for other women who are Moms in real life and using Second Life. Join: Moms in Second Life to find out more!”

One mom commented to the blog, actually questioning the use of Cybergrrl’s group tag for the new subgroup: “I’m a Mom and lovin’ it.” Here’s the post:

“I use SL as a diversion from my RL. Not an escape, but a diversion - I use it when I don't want to think for a little while about diapers, or naptimes, or signing up for preschools. And, to be honest, it's nice to be able to look thin and have my hair and makeup done in SL, because it so rarely happens in RL anymore…I just feel like if I advertise that I'm a mom, people are going to act differently toward me or form opinions from the outset. I simply don't want every conversation to start with, ‘Oh, so how old are your kids?’”

Regardless, Cybergrrl has made a connection to professional women, working women, and those moms who need diversion from real life. All gather for various reasons on the Isle, and follow along with the commentary on the various blogs that have sprung off from the main Cybergrrl blog. On Saturday afternoon, November 3, 2007, blog readers and SLers were invited in-world to meet Cybergrrl Oh (Aliza Sherman) who “has been helping empower moms, daughters and women entrepreneurs since the dawn of the Web.”

In March 2008, Cybergrrl Women’s Club hosted the “Passion Parties, Guide to Great Sex” for women and moms, inviting members to…

“Meet Pat Davis, CEO, Passion Parties and author of Passion Parties Guide to Great Sex. Then dance to the sexy tunes of JueL Resistance wearing your Sexiest Outfit to win prizes such as virtual sex toys from Stroker Serpentine! This promises to be a very stimulating event!” For the transcripts, click on http://athenaislewomen.blogspot.com/

Athena Isle has gone through some transitions and development, one of which was a name change, having been formerly called the SL Women’s Club. Now the mom’s club and women’s club events are threaded together as part of Athena Isle. Past guest discussions have included:

03/25/08 MOMS CLUB presents Michelle Branco aka Mamandouce Darwin speaking about "Attachment Parenting in the Toddler Years."

04/08/08 WOMENS CLUB presents Diane K. Danielson, author of The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?)

04/22/08 MOMS CLUB presents Sandra Gordon, co-author of Consumer Reports Best Baby Products talking about the best products for babies

05/06/08 WOMENS CLUB presents Elizabeth Kavaler, MD, author of A Seat on the Aisle, Please, to discuss common women's urinary tract issues that nobody talks about!