Collapsing Geography Second Life, Innovation, and the Future of National Power

Innovations: Technology, Governance, Globalization, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 27-54, 2007

31 Pages Posted: 24 Oct 2007

See all articles by Cory Ondrejka

Cory Ondrejka

University of Southern California - Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Abstract

Once the domain of science fiction, advances in computer performance, connectivity, and 3-dimensional rendering now make physically-simulated, multiplayer, online virtual worlds available to a broad audience for nearly limitless applications. The virtual world Second Life has proven particularly flexible and is already in use for everything from live music performances to business collaborations spanning multiple continents. Remarkable examples of distributed learning and production demonstrate new collaboration models with the potential to profoundly impact innovation. This article will briefly introduce Second Life before examining how its unique affordances decrease the cost of communication and learning; how these cost reductions impact collaboration and innovation; what new structures and business models could be built to take maximal advantage of these cost reductions; and, finally, how these new models will change the way nations create and project power.

Keywords: Second Life, virtual worlds

JEL Classification: L86

Suggested Citation

Ondrejka, Cory R., Collapsing Geography Second Life, Innovation, and the Future of National Power. Innovations: Technology, Governance, Globalization, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 27-54, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1023493

Cory R. Ondrejka (Contact Author)

University of Southern California - Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism ( email )

3502 Watt Way, Suite 304
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States

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