Alex Steed at Make Something Happen brings up a good point about conference-going in Second Life. He notes that he’s a “total type-A, socializing socio-path with a penchant for collective back-patting,” and doesn’t “get into the whole pixelized version of real-life thing.” In some ways, he’s right, if you love the socializing at a conference, like the Netroots Nation held in Austin, how can a Second Life version even compare? Well, the answer to that is easy — there is no comparison! Second Life is much more fun. Really, where else can you go skydiving for two hours and get back in time to watch a panel discussion? Without mussing your hair?

Okay, there is something to having those in-person meetings. But then again, watching a panel discussion video-streamed from Austin with a group of people in Second Life allows for much more interaction, and without annoying the people on the panel. Side discussions can happen easily while enjoying the main panel discussion. Web sites are shared during the Bloggers Brunch. Friendships are created while listening to Howard Dean. A community is built that continues after the conference.

Last year, some of us met at the first Second Life version of YearlyKos (the former name of Netroots Nation). We have continued to meet. Where else can you have Dysfunctional Family Thanksgiving Dinner and end up dancing with a turkey leg? Just try that in Austin, Texas.

Netroots Nation in Second Life offers fun events where you can discuss politics with other like-minded folks, enjoy dancing and museum-going, explore strange environments, and crack sick-minded jokes that we all find funny.

There is one other nice feature about conference-going in Second Life: no sore feet. You can walk and stand all day in Second Life and never feel your shoes pinch like you would after conference-going in the real world.

So, rest your feet and please join us Wednesday night, July 16, for a series of events at Commonwealth.

Come visit the Commonwealth Islands for Progressive Organizations
Wednesday 5-9pm

Meet at 5pm SL time (PDT). Wander on your own or join in the following:

5:15 pm: Group Horse back riding tour of the 3 Commonwealth sims and activities

7pm: Drum Circle at the beach (surfing and windsurfing also available)

8pm: Group Tai Chi on Commonwealth 3

Visit Netroots Nation Island for a landmark to Commonwealth. We will see you there!

Yes, those are turkey legs on the dance floor.