The Roundabout Play Pump is a tremendous idea... thanks Cynthia Gentry for originally sourcing that info! I can't help but repost the direct link to the play pump site again.

I was pondering a possible demographic issue of SL playgrounds on Better World Island. Outside of all of us 'big kids' and/or 'adults in denial' crossing over from O-Net to SL, actual wee folk children would be unable to enjoy or benefit first hand based on the SL age requirement protocol...?

Playpump that when you pump it something is created....

• Donations and pledges to KaBoom?
• Free gifts?
• Flatulent flamingoes?

Brent, my (limited) experience has been that many people act like children in SL, despite their biological ages, so I think we've got that covered.

Also, SL has a teen grid for ages 13 thru 17, but for obvious reasons don't allow adults, so there's no current way to bridge those two worlds.

Pierre,

I'm rubber and you're glue, anything you say bounces off of me and sticks to you.

See you at the playground!

;)

It's so good to come back and find a discourse growing around this. Brent, thanks so much for the link back to the actual play pump site. I had very little time when I posted this note up, and I really appreciate that you've made it easy for people to go back and discover the inspiration behind this.

Backing Pierre on the "big kids in residence" observation. If you haven't been out to the island yet, you might be surprised to find a very different dynamic emerging between people there. I've loved getting to know my omidyar.net buds inworld. It's much more personal and, while not the same as face time, provides a pretty terrific alternative. I think it's one of the things that will make SL useful as a tool to us. Anything that allows us to connect more richly, trust more deeply and innovate will only amplify our ability to collaborate in new and meaningful ways.

Evonne, my dear, you are golden. I love the notion of the pump dispensing objects inworld, especially anything that will encourage engagement (learning, pledges, etc.)

About the flatulent flamingos ... ahem ... well ... let's just say the island is about to become a very interesting temporary aviary very soon. Time limited deal. Won't say more. You'll all simply have to come out and experience it for yourselves later in the week ;^)

Ubuntu!

As an aside, following up with Brent's observation about engaging youth directly. Several months ago I had a good conversation with Philip Rosedale (creator of Second Life) about the teen grid. This was before it was a reality yet. My past life with fully immersible online communities was focused on creating a mentoring dynamic with kids at risk globally. Philip and I chatted about this possibility via the teen grid. The potential is there, and I'm keen to hear more from people regarding how them might be thinking on developing a potential better world scout toolkit for youth.

That's another thread waiting to happen without a doubt ...

An idea I've been kicking around is how to promote and package the Universal Prayer Wheel concept. As some of you know we are building Peace Wheel Park in Elko, Nevada. I'd love to partner with folks like Kaboom and/or community park building folks to replicate our work and promote the whole park building thing. It's amazing what's happening in my small town on Elko. It's truely bringing folks together.

I have a man who's built many prayer wheels that is interesting in writing a book and I'd be interested in understanding what's involved in putting the kit together. If anyone is interested in working with me on this idea (be it it 2nd life or wherever)... I'd love some help.

I'd love to play! How can I help?

Amy Lee at KaBOOM!

Sue Braiden said:

One of the new spaces you'll see being developed on Better World Island is a playground. The intention is to be able to share information around KaBoom! and some of the other "play" projects that people connect around here at omidyar.net

Cynthia Gentry also talked about a water play pump that has served as a powerful AIDS education and awareness point within Africa.

How might we use the spaces and objects at Better World Island to engage people in the learning part of these projects, and share some concrete next steps they might take if they're interested?

I invite you to join me in doing a little brainstorming around this.

Sue.

I've been thinking about this. I haven't spent a lot of time in Second Life so I need some help. How do you build a playspace with equipment that's fun for a bunch of "young" avatars? What would that look like?

Well, I'm not afraid to have conversations with myself. Actually, those are some of my favorite conversations. wink

I'm still toying with this in my own head. OK. Second Life is still mostly an adult online space. Not a lot of kids so, chance are, a playground might be sort of an odd thing to drop into it. What if we looked at it a different way. How about creating a playground equipment factory where we "grownups" could work together to build really cool playground equipment that takes into account the physics of Second Life's environment?

Maybe some of that equipment could be translated back into the real world.

Does that make any sense, Amy?

Hmmm. I'm not sure. Let me think about it and get back to you.

Amy Lee said:

Well, I'm not afraid to have conversations with myself. Actually, those are some of my favorite conversations. wink

LOL!! Sorry Amy, I just noticed this thread :) way to go tagging!! Sue posted this awhile ago, but it's a great idea !!

I'm the caretaker of Better World Island now, which is neighbour with to Sue's sim Ubuntu :)

I think you have a cool idea, and interactive is what gets people interested in Second Life. I'm away for a few days traveling but will think on this :)

I'd love to have Kaboom join us on Better World...and speaking of...I have a big playground project that needs help in Swaziland... <big grin> we can pick each others brains :)

hmmm love the thoughts of building playgrounds and playpumps in SL :)

edited: because I think faster than I write :)