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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."

2 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Why use Linden Labs? by machinelou · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I've been following a lot of similar stories recently and I don't understand why agencies and institutions wouldn't build on an opensource infrastructure that they can control (e.g., something like openlife). What happens if Linden labs goes belly-up?

  2. As someone who has PTSD by TheBilgeRat · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'd have to say it really is probably up to the individual soldier whether that will work for him or not. Everyone handles it differently, and self-medicates differently. Many of my old comrades cannot watch war-related movies or watch/play FPS video games like COD, GRAW, etc. I say go for it-if it helps just a few people it would be worth it.