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Massives As Your Third Home

sleepwellmyfriend writes "What is a third place? The first place is your home, the second place is work. Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks introduced third places as somewhere besides home or work where people can socialize and feel comfortable. Think Cheers. Massive multiplayer online games are third places as defined by their characteristics: neutral ground, leveler (no not that kind), conversation, accessibility, regulars, low profile, playful mood, and "home away from home". Online games also contain social capital, which like financial capital, can be acquired and spent, but for social gains instead of financial gains. In a social relationship sense, bridging provides breadth (diverse information and resources) while bonding provides depth (comfort and advice). In online games, players come from a diverse background so they are usually bridging social capital but bonding can occur for long time players."

9 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Pub? by pryonic · · Score: 2, Funny

    My first, second and third place is the pub, nuff said.

    --
    Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
  2. Re:True for Me by crazyjeremy · · Score: 3, Funny
    and had a large house near Coronet that many people visited frequently to buy stuff from me
    Drug dealer?
  3. Math by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny

    So if Second Life is your Third Home, does that work out to 2/3s of a homelife?

  4. Re:My Bicycle and Kayak by kin_korn_karn · · Score: 5, Funny

    How do you fit your pretentiousness in the kayak?

  5. Re:Starbucks "introduced" third places? by kfg · · Score: 2, Funny

    Are you high?

    No, he's just a young example of how far the American community has fallen.

    KFG

  6. Re:Drugs indeed! by cayenne8 · · Score: 2, Funny
    I think the author got the 'places' mixed up?

    1st place - Bar

    2nd place - What's her names house, the one you met at the bar.

    3rd place - Home (You gotta get a change of clothes periodically...

    4th place - Oh yeah, work...gotta do that to pay for the 1st three

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  7. Home Depot by dpbrown · · Score: 5, Funny

    My third place is Home Depot because my first place needs work and my second place doesn't pay me enough to convince someone else to make my first place their second place.

  8. Re:Its somewhat out of hand by keyne9 · · Score: 2, Funny

    WorkTime - HomeTime ~= ThirdWorldTime

  9. Re:Starbucks "introduced" third places? by Moofie · · Score: 2, Funny

    You let your children OUTSIDE!? There's CHILD MOLESTERS out there!

    --
    Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!