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The New VA Health Plan Is Second Life

Posted by Soulskill on from the not-reincarnation dept.

theodp writes "Remember when Catbert informed Dilbert that the new company health plan is Google? In another case of life imitating Dilbert, combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder are being provided with a US Army-sponsored virtual world in Second Life (slideshow) to help deal with their condition. Developed by USC's Institute for Creative Technologies, it is hoped that the veterans-only virtual world Coming Home and its planned activities will promote conversations that can help reduce PTSD. The Avatar will see you now, Sergeant."

3 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Then who will cure the Second-Life PTSD? by EEBaum · · Score: 4, Funny

    Perhaps they'll recover from the war-related PTSD, but you've introduced a whole other traumatic situation by bringing Second Life into the mix. How long will it take our brave veterans to get over the horror of bombardment via millions of floating penises?

    --
    -- I prefer the term "karma escort."
  2. Re:Good idea, if you ask me. by jd2112 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think a similar system could work very well for other groups such as AA and NA.

    Great idea! Now if I can only talk Charlie's Bar into providing free Wi-Fi...

    --
    Any insufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.
  3. Re:Good idea, if you ask me. by slimshady945 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm surprised it's taken this long for the VA to figure this out.

    As a vet and recovering addict, I would have thought you'd be more familiar with the VA than that.