Pregnancy In Second Life

An anonymous reader writes "SF Weekly newspaper sent a (male) writer to get pregnant in Second Life, to find out how it works. The article is the first installment in a three-part series." From the piece: "For $3,500 in Lindens (about $12 US), I could buy the pregnancy kit and get knocked up. I had the cash, so I made up my mind: without much fanfare -- without a partner or even a nurse and a turkey baster -- I bought the kit and got started. I tacked on a body shape that bumped out my stomach to a late-first-trimester size, making me a little more kettle-shaped. Then I switched on the UPA, or 'ULTIMATE Pregnancy Attachment' (emphasis theirs)."

Comments

Just another day online..

[Flamekebab]

And who says only weirdos play MMOs?!

Re:Just another day online..

[heinousjay]

Now get a -1, Troll and you've hit the trifecta

Yippee

[JL-b8]

Now women *AND* men can even ruin their 'online' lives without even having to sleep with a drunk trucker!

And much drama abounds

[jandrese]

This is new on Slashdot, but it's been around in SL for some time now. The only problem: some of the dealers were a bit shady and as a result there are big hundred post long flamewars on the forums about the whole concept. It's basically just an RP thing, although some people are apparently worried out of their mind that same sex couples will have virtual babies and get a taste for the real thing.

The whole thing sounds dumb to me, but hey, SL is a big RP environment and if people want to RP being pregnant and having a baby, that's not my concern.

Re:And much drama abounds

[kabir]

some people are apparently worried out of their mind that same sex couples will have virtual babies and get a taste for the real thing.

Yeah, 'cause nothing makes people want kids more than virtual pregnancy... certainly not seeing all the happy families at the park, or sheer biological drive to procreate, or constant societal pressure to reproduce. Nah, it's those pernicious video game pregnancy kits that make people want babies.

*sigh*

If anybody can explain to me why so many folks seem to be terrified of homosexuality even though it has roughly zero impact on their lives I'd appreciate it. I'm confused. While you're at it I really don't get the whole video-games-are-the-devil thing either.

Re:And much drama abounds

[thewiz]

If anybody can explain to me why so many folks seem to be terrified of homosexuality even though it has roughly zero impact on their lives I'd appreciate it.

Personally, I think the people are terrified of homosexuality for one or more of the following reasons:

1. Some people hate it because they've been brought up to believe it's bad/evil.
2. Some people hate it because they've had homosexual feelings but can't reconcile it with #1.
3. Some people hate it because homosexuals are the whipping people du jour.
4. Some people hate it just to have something to hate.

I don't get it either.

Re:And much drama abounds

[SatanicPuppy]

I'm a big believer in #4. The right uses them as a big scary enemy to keep their voting block in line, attributing to them dark motives, and evil agendas, and basically dehumanizing the hell out of them.

If there were no homosexuals, they'd pick a race or a sex, or a religion, but the propaganda would be the same. It's a way of playing on the baser instincts of man that politicians and religious leaders have been using to their advantage for as long as there have been politicians and religious leaders.

Re:And much drama abounds

[Guppy06]

"although some people are apparently worried out of their mind that same sex couples will have virtual babies and get a taste for the real thing."

Does that mean that the ol' flour bag trick done by most high schools encourages teen pregnancy?

Re:And much drama abounds

[jandrese]

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that argument. I mean this is no doubt the same camp that believes that Sex Ed promotes promiscuity and that the only thing schools should do is hand out a pamphlet that says "Sex is evil, don't think about it until you're married."

Re:And much drama abounds

[thewiz]

If there were no homosexuals, they'd pick a race or a sex, or a religion, but the propaganda would be the same.

Already been done:

Race: Africans, Asians, etc.
Sex: Women, of course.
Religion: Islam, Buddism, Confucism, etc.

I'm expecting the haters to hate extra-terrestrial life when we find it.

Re:And much drama abounds

[GeekyMike]

nope, incourages baking.... mmmm. biscuits

Re:And much drama abounds

[Josh teh Jenius]

You ask: If anybody can explain to me why so many folks seem to be terrified of homosexuality even though it has roughly zero impact on their lives I'd appreciate it.

I am not terrified of homosexuals, nor do I think "terror" is the proper adjective for those branded "anti-gay"

I do not sleep with my friends, so the issue rarely comes up.

When I discover that someone is gay, I promptly remind them that I don't care what they do with their genetalia.

When I discover that someone is straight, I promptly remind them that I don't care what they do with their genetalia.

When I discover that someone is "keen for kids", I promptly remind them that to infringe of the civil liberties of others is wrong, and that (IMO) people under "legal age" are probably not ready for these decisions.

I will hope that we agree thus far. If so, I feel there *is* hope of ending this "homosexual crisis" in our lifetimes.

Now, to disagree:

I feel that the homosexual issue has been hikacked by BOTH parties in order to divide and conquer us. I feel it should be a non-issue. So long as homosexuality is not "mainstream", it will naturally assign itself to where it belongs: among those who want it!

By suggesting that homosexuality is not "mainstream", I mean simply that. This is a self-defined minority.

Furthermore: as homosexuality gains popularity, it is natural to see more of it. This explains (in part) the increase in "gay media". However, I think the majority of "gay issues" are entirely invented in order to fuel US political parties, which became outright hysterical decades ago.

I do not hate the people, I hate the movement. I do not see how it is helping gays OR non gays.

Re:And much drama abounds

[Bastian]

Yeah, 'cuz that whole unit my sex ed class did on all the different kinds of STDs made me really want to go out and have random sex with people I don't know RIGHT AWAY.

Re:And much drama abounds

[syukton]

If anybody can explain to me why so many folks seem to be terrified of homosexuality even though it has roughly zero impact on their lives I'd appreciate it.

This is because the reasoning that so many folks operate under is the Christian one. I give you now the example of Sodom and Gomorrah, cities destroyed by God for their sins, which allegedly include homosexuality. The conservative Christians are afraid that letting homosexuality run rampant is going to bring down the wrath of God upon them and their cities. It is, I believe, just that simple. The interesting irony here is that some Rabbinic texts say that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because their residents were greedy and selfish (ie, republican) and not actually due to homosexuality. Regardless, the governing belief among the hard-line Christians appears to be that allowing homosexuality to flourish will bring down upon us a torrent of fire and brimstone to punish us for our sins.

So, I think that Christianity is largely responsible for the mentality that homosexuality should not be tolerated. Good luck convincing those people to believe otherwise.

I, personally, don't care how people choose to gratify themselves. If having sex with cucumbers and watermelons floats somebody's boat, more power to them. I'd prefer that they not hold rallies praising the glory of cucumberfucking, but I suppose that's a free-speech-protected right. I actually think that homosexuality does us a favor by helping to stem the population explosion and by way of homosexual couples adopting children which would otherwise not have a safe and loving home to live in. Two birds, one stone.

Re:And much drama abounds

[sumdumass]

You forgot

• some people hat it because they don't see it as natural no matter how many examples you want to throw at them
• some people people hate it because thier religion has told you it is bad
• some people hate it because historicaly, homosexuals cannot naturaly reproduce and therefore taking away from a vital defenses of civilizations. At one time you needed to populate the city in order to have enougg wariers to defend it.
• some people hate it because back in the day of having children as a workforce on the family farm, it ment that no workers were comming from them.
• some people hate it because until reletivly recently, sex for pleasure instead of procreation was deeply frowned apon.
• some people hate it because without the ability to procreate, the sex is only for pleasure.
• some people hate it because even though sex with your spouse for pleasure was ok, you didn't bring this stuff out of the bedroom
• some people hate it because until reletivly recently, public discusion of sex was frowned apon and you cannot get by homosexuality without discussing sex publicaly.
  
  Yes it sounds frightening but at one time, things weren't always the way they are now. I'm not saying it was better or worse just that they are different and most/some of society hasn't caught up with the differences completly. Give it time. I'm from the school that says, I don't care what you do as long as I don't have to hear about it. If I want to hear about it, I will seek it out in my own way when it suits my needs. Asian pron!!!

Re:And much drama abounds

[DAldredge]

islam isn't exactly friendly to homosexuals either...

Re:And much drama abounds

[sumdumass]

Yeah, 'cuz that whole unit my sex ed class did on all the different kinds of STDs made me really want to go out and have random sex with people I don't know RIGHT AWAY.

But did the other stuff make you want to go out and have sex with people you do know?

Obviously you had some impresions about STDs and sex with people you don't know or you wouldn't have placed the "with people I don't know" in there. Most teen sex are with people who know each other.

Actually , In my day, they seperatedthe boy and girls, we talked about the makle organ and what it does (girls were reversed), condoms and how they work. Then we saw the female oragsn and what they do, learned about that devil cycle, then learned abuut all those evil STDs and was told the only guarentee to not gettign a STD was by ensuring your partner was clean and sticking with them (in that order). They incinuated we should be married.

In my cousin's day (less then 4 years ago), they explained what intercourse was, what to expect, alternatives to intercourse such a oral sex and masterbation, said it was ok to be gay, and then gave condoms out in addition to what was taught durring my school days. They are also giving these instruction 2 years earlier now too. The only thing missing is a porn flick and some wine.

The logical next step

[TubeSteak]

is to create an online Social Services.

After all, who's going to arrest parents that abuse their online children?

All it needs...

[Zephyros]

...is an alarm that goes off at night, forcing you to log in and take care of it.

huh?

[MyLongNickName]

I looked up the definition of pregnancy, and found something about intercourse. What is this strange concept? I think it has to do with a city in Pennsylvania, but fail to see the connection. Can anyone help?

Why yes, I do use Linux exclusively. Why do you ask?

Re:huh?

[stanmann]

According to dictionary.com its talking to other people. Better stay home, or you too could be pregnant.

Re:huh?

[pHatidic]

Why Pennsylvania? Do you associate intercourse with brotherly love?

Re:huh?

[cinnamoninja]

Why Pennsylvania? Do you associate intercourse with brotherly love?

Intercourse, PA. Right next to Paradise, PA. These are real towns in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercourse,_PA

Hmm, now that I read your message again, you might know that. Well, maybe somebody else needs the information.

Re:huh?

[HardCase]

So definition number two means talking dirty?

Re:huh?

[sumdumass]

Are you talking about middlesex?

Re:huh?

[sumdumass]

And don't forget to put your rubbers on when you go out, it is supposed to rain

Tamagotchi 2.0

[khasim]

And if you don't pay attention to your virtual kid at regular intervals, feed him and clean up after him ...

It's Tamagotchi all over again!

Now, if you could just script the kid's upbringing.

DID YOU READ THE SUMMARY?

[way2trivial]

the hookers are also in second life. same as the pregnancies.

You know whats next...

[Subgenius]

Online abortion clinics, right-to-second-lifers, the whole bit. Should be fun to watch (and gum up the works....)..

interesting

[minus_273]

never played second life, are you allowed to kill people? how are e-abortions treated?

Re:interesting

[chman]

how are e-abortions treated? I would assume spawn-camping is frowned upon.

Re:interesting

[A Cheese Danish]

Yes, you can "kill" people with the right weapon, but the land your avatar is over has to have damage enabled in order for it to have any effect. Even then, when you die, it means you get teleported to your set home point. That's it. No loss of anything for death.

As far as e-abortions, the babies as I know them are fashioned out of prims (the building blocks of SL) and scripted to make certain motions or sayings, kinda like an advanced dolly that pees, cries, poops its diaper or whatever else the creator designed into it. Tossing these things is akin to tosing any other object in SL. In other words, like taking out the garbage.

Also on that note, I've known a couple of people go through the whole pregnancy thing. Some do it because they are unable to have chlidren in real life. Some do it to bring their partner closer. Some do it for companionship. Some do it for fun. One person I knew was pregnant for a month, and then abruptly went back to normal. Their response was that they had broken up with their partner and had no more reason to have a baby.

It's all RP though. Take it for what you will.

Re:interesting

[jcostantino]

One person I knew was pregnant for a month, and then abruptly went back to normal. Their response was that they had broken up with their partner and had no more reason to have a baby.

Ouch, better in a simulation than in real life.

I gave SL a try a few years ago when it was in beta, it was neat, I did stuff... The only problem (at least then, I suppose it still is now) was that EVERYONE was out making a buck trying to sell you a book or some other stupid crap. It's like the entire game's pretense was its economy and everything else was second to it.

I've been playing Animal Crossing on my DS and was really into it, I was upgrading my house, collect things to sell and buy more stuff, communicate with my neighbors... and then I realized that was the stuff I was already doing in real life. Then I kind of shelved AC and went back to games that weren't blurring the line between "fun" and "toil."

Whispering tummies isn't the half of it...

[AdamTrace]

Yes, if you can make a body part that can "whisper" out loud, giving various status updates and whatnot, you can be sure that it isn't limited to mommy's tummy... There are all sorts of "naughty bit" attatchments that will happily tell you their level of moisture, rigidity, or excitement at all hours of the day.

It's the weirdest thing ever.

Re:Whispering tummies isn't the half of it...

[merlin_jim]

And let me tell you

There's nothing more sexy than clicking on girl's clit and seeing it say:

Girl's Clit is stroked softly by Merlin
Girl's Clit: Girl is lightly aroused
Girl's Clit is nibbled by Merlin
Girl's Clit: Girl is panting

lol who needs streaming video porn when I've got that?

Re:Whispering tummies isn't the half of it...

[mrchaotica]

That's funny, but you forgot the "I put on my robe and wizard hat" part, "merlin!"

Re:Sex, sex, sex, doesn't anyone just kill anymore

[PFI_Optix]

fwiw, that crackpot Falwell doesn't like video games at all.

I still enjoy pointing out the fact that the cheerleaders at his school violate several points of the dress code. I guess when you're cheering for Liberty U you're exempt.

Just emailed my boyfriend..

[tokengeekgrrl]

subject: I want to have a baby...

body: ...in Second Life.
[link to article]

Are you awake now?

[eom]

That must have gaven him a momentary heart attack.

hee hee hee

- tokengeekgrrl

Re:Just emailed my boyfriend..

[StikyPad]

I don't see how that joke could possibly backfire.

I was married once...

[3dfxgamer]

... in an online fantasy game. We where thinking of having children but that would have severely drained my power crystals.

Re:Homosexuallity - A Lifestyle Without A Future

[ArkonChakravanti]

1. Since AIDS seems to be spreading the most and the fastest in Africa, according to your reasoning that means Africa is a gay continent? Just because we _thought_ it was a gay disease, doesn't mean it is... Remember we used to think the earth was flat...

2. It is not difficult to explain this to kids, most kids think kissing is gross, it doesn't matter to them they're 2 men or 2 women or a man and a woman... It's only hard to explain a gay couple kissing in public to YOU, the one explaining, not to the kid...

3. How does giving gays the right to get married affect you? Other than that you might have to buy your lesbian neighbors a present on their wedding aniversery... But more importantly, what is this gay training/indoctrination you speak of? All I see in this "bastion of liberty" is anti-gay training/indoctrination... Is it fair for the kids to be adopted by 2 loving parents who happen to be both men or women? Of course it is, you'd rather they stayed in an orphanage? Parentless?

Here's some more news for you, heterosexual people ALSO get AIDS...
A heterosexual couple can get a homosexual child and vice versa...

Well, it's probably pointless, but at least I tried...
I hope gays affect my life more than this AC...

Huh Indeed

[Aqua_boy17]

After seeing your post, I have done some research on this topic 'intercourse'. I find this concept quite fascinating and I wish to find out where I can subscribe to a newsletter telling me more. Thank you.

Premature Linkage?

[k31]

The linked article is part one of a three part series, but the other two parts haven't been written yet, so it leave me feeling that the story is a bit to premature to link to at this point.

But, then again, it could just be "duped" later, I suppose.

An intelligent baby?

[4D6963]

OK, there you get your baby, but, it's only a bot right? It's not a player who would "spawn" as a baby? (I know, the answer lies within TFA, but who will dare to go...)

What I mean is that it's kind of dumb, it's all about people interacting with people, and you're gonna "raise" a damn Tamagochi? It should at least be children SLers spawning as babies...