Module 4: Disruptive Technologies

• How is Second Life a disruptive technology?  A disruptive technology is considered a new technology with the same functionality of an existing technology, but it functions more efficiently, and obsoletes the technology.  Second Life was a "wild card" that virtually came out of nowhere.  

• What technology or innovation did it displace?  Second Life displaced other virtual worlds, games, and perhaps even dating sites (or will) in the future due to its gaining popularity.  From what I know of Second Life (and that isn't a lot), it seems that people can use it for a plethora of agendas.  

• How many years do you think Second Life has left before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?  I think that it will be quite a few years before Second Life has left us due to its overwhelming success on both the personal and business fronts.  

• What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?  People are using Second Life to become the individuals that in real life they can never be or aren't able to be due to a variety of reasons whether it be physical, mental, or social limitations.  As the popular country song a few years ago states, "I'm so much cooler online."  In a virtual world, individual create an avatar who is exactly what they have always wanted to be or how they have always wanted others to see them.  As a high school teacher, I could see high school students using Second Life to interact with each other and to possibly virtually visit college campuses, but I personally, have not had a lot of experience with Second Life.