Full reign of self-expression for consenting adults in Second Life
- Anonymous
- Target:
- Residents of Second Life
- Region:
- GLOBAL
Linden Lab, owners of the virtual world Second Life have recently altered their policy on censorship.
They now seek to restrict violent and sexual role-play within the environment and ask residents of the world to report others for "broadly offensive content". This term is not defined, so leaves open the possibility that private role-play between consenting adults may result in recrimination, humiliation and economic loss.
The petition seeks a formal response to questions on this matter. It asks Linden Lab to define exactly what acts are "broadly offensive" or "potentially illegal".
It requests a poll of residents and subject to the results, asks for a return to the previous policy.
The recent Linden blog, “Keeping Second Life Safe, Together” is sharply at odds with the historic Linden Lab position on censorship and takes Second Life in a direction that we do not agree with.
We were under the impression that Linden Lab stood for freedom from censorship. The words that the company uses to define Second Life are: “Your world. Your imagination”.
Quote from the blog post: “Our community has made it clear to us that certain types of content and activity are simply not acceptable in any form” …
Which groups within the community have made it clear and in what way did they communicate?
How many Second Life residents do they represent?
The company now ask residents to “notify Linden Lab about locations in-world that are violating our Community Standards regarding broadly offensive and potentially illegal content.” What is the definition of “broadly offensive”? How are residents to decide what is “potentially illegal”? What standard of proof will apply to people nominating others as conducting this behaviour?
In order for residents to understand where they stand on these matters we request clear guidance either in writing or in a Town Hall meeting on these specific questions:
Is it LL’s view that sexual acts between consenting adults are “broadly offensive” or “potentially illegal”? If this applies to only some sexual acts, which ones?
Is it LL’s view that consenting adults role-playing violent acts are “broadly offensive” or “potentially illegal”? If so, which violent acts?
Is it LL’s view that consenting adults role-playing rape scenes are “broadly offensive” or “potentially illegal”?
Is it LL’s view that consenting adults role-playing bdsm fantasies are “broadly offensive” or “potentially illegal”? If so, which particular fantasies?
Is it LL’s view that consenting adults having sex in furry avatars is “broadly offensive” or “potentially illegal”?
Is it LL’s view that consenting adults role-playing slavery are “broadly offensive” or “potentially illegal”?
In the blog post LL describes depictions of sex with children as “broadly offensive”. Who specifically is offended by that role-play if it is conducted only between consenting adults in private?
Once these questions are answered and the Linden Lab position is clear, we request a poll be taken of Second Life residents to measure what percentage of residents are in favour of the new stance.
Unless a majority favour the new Linden Lab position we request a return to the previous enlightened attitude which allowed full reign of self-expression to consenting adults.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Full reign of self-expression for consenting adults in Second Life petition to Residents of Second Life was written by Anonymous and is in the category Civil Rights at GoPetition.