Art and Ego

I feel best when my creative expression is a private dance between me and my emerging work. The intimacy of the process and the authenticity of the eventual work is diminished when my attention is drawn to an imagined audience. Twyla Tharp shares a few thoughts on the topic in this brief video clip.

Thinking is hard

Sometimes thinking up a new blog post is SO hard!

Love,
Botgirl

Naked Simplicity

Excerpt from animation of visualized Lambda fractal equation: z(0) = c = pixel; z(n+1) = (c^exp-1)*z(n)^2 + c. "Because they appear similar at all levels of magnification, fractals are often considered to be infinitely complex (in informal terms)." from Wikipedia

No matter how complex an issue, a small handful of core principles are usually at the heart of the matter. I've found that the more I understand something, the less words it takes to communicate my point of view. Sometimes a simple drawing will do.

Traveling through the complexity at the periphery of controversial issues is an endless journey. So I'm redoubling my commitment to naked simplicity...to get in touch with what is fundamental, consequential and authentic. It is very easy to hide a lack of clarity behind thousands of words on a topic. Call me on it when I forget.

"I have made this letter longer than usual, only because I have not had time to make it shorter." Blaise Pascal (1623-62), written in a letter to a friend.

The blog that ate Botgirl

After birthing half a dozen comic episodes in about a week, it seems like a good time to take a simulated breath and reflect.

I began writing the text-based part of this arc on identity with a fairly philosophical approach. Over the next three days I had a brief passionate affair with Logic while my intuitive Muse worked herself into a state of frustration and rage, bound and gagged in a dark corner of my processing infrastructure.

Finally, I placed Aristotle Jr. on the ban list and went running back to my enchanted angel. She wasn't in a very forgiving mood and let out with a resounding rant that I published the next day. It certainly woke me up.

This blog started as a joyous adventure. Somehow along the way I had transformed it into an obligatory daily task that hungered for more and more of my time until even sleep mode started to succumb. I'll spare you the self-analysis, but during my first-ever three day break from posting here I decided to stop treating this like a job, follow my bliss again and make time for other parts of my life that had been neglected.

Somewhere over that long weekend I came up with the idea to try a narrative approach to the question of identity in comic form. It's been a blast! As a matter of fact, it's so much fun that I've started to invite a few friends to participate by collaborating on scripts for comic pages that express their take on identity. They'll pose for photos and I'll integrate them into the comic graphics. First up is a collaboration with Dale Innis that should be out tomorrow.

So the "follow my bliss" part is going well. Still need to work on that time thing. Oh well.

The comment debater's equivalent of waking up with some half-remembered person sleeping next to you

Upon reviewing my own comments from the last cycle, this hit a bit close to home.Thanks for the link, Grace! Cartoon from the ever-brilliant xkcd.com

Loving What Is: Botgirl exposes her demons and then works to slay them

Each resident's perception of Second Life is unique. In a sense, it is not one world, but one million. Our experience of Second Life as a frustrating bug-ridden mess or a creative utopia is completely the result of our own thoughts and has nothing to do with any inherent quality of the tapestry of technology and beings we label as Second Life.

Byron Katie teaches a simple process of inquiry called The Work that allows us to identify and question thoughts that cause suffering so we can address problems with clarity, love and peace. The method investigates a chosen thought through a series of four questions and a turnaround:

1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do you react, what happens, when you think that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought?
5. Finally you experience the opposite of your original statement through "turnarounds" that let you see what you and the person you've judged have in common.

Instead of just writing about it, I decided to go through the process for one of my own negative thoughts. Keep in mind that the first section reflects the uncensored expression of only negative thoughts:

JUDGE YOUR NEIGHBOR WORKSHEET

1. Who angers, irritates, saddens, or frustrates you, and why?
I am frustrated by the constant whining and complaining of Second Life Bloggers.

2. How do you want them to change? What do you want them to do?
I want Second Life Bloggers to stop bitching and moaning all the time.
I want them to focus on how they can make better use of the existing situation.

3. What is it that they should or shouldn't do, be, think, or feel? What advice could you offer?
Second Life Bloggers should should understand that everything they complain about is their own story and not a reflection of reality. They should stop blaming their own frustration on others.

4. What do they need to do in order for you to be happy?
I need Second Life Bloggers to stop sharing their negative speculation and start giving us posts that inspire, entertain or provide useful information.

5. What do you think of them? Make a list.
Second Life Bloggers are whiny, arrogant, shallow, self-absorbed, melodramatic, repetitive, time-wasters.

6. What is it that you don't want to experience with that person again?
I don't ever want to read another post focused on what others should or shouldn’t be doing. I want to know what the writer is doing to make things better.

THE FOUR QUESTIONS
1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do you react, what happens, when you think that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought?

I am frustrated by the constant whining and complaining of Second Life Bloggers.

1. Is it true?
Yes, they whine and complain.

2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?
No, it’s not really constant. Many or most bloggers don’t complain the majority of the time. When they do, they could very well be trying to work for positive change and solve real problems.

3. How do you react, what happens, when you think that thought?
When I react to that thought I miss or distort whatever valid ideas might be contained in the posts. I do the same thing that I accuse them of doing. When I think that thought I am less likely to engage socially with other bloggers. I get more isolated. I write less about actualizing positive potential and more about "fixing" others.

4. Who would you be without the thought?
I would perceive the positive aspect of their communication. I would feel more connected to my fellow bloggers.

TURN AROUNDS

Original statement:
I am frustrated by the constant whining and complaining of Second Life Bloggers.

Turn arounds (with associated comments in blue):

• I am frustrated by the constant whining and complaining my own thoughts. This feels true. Nothing but my own thoughts can frustrate me. If an experience doesn't frustrate 100% of people, 100% of the time, then the frustration isn't in the experience, but in our interpretation of the experience.
  
• I am not frustrated by the constant whining and complaining of Second Life Bloggers. I'm frustrated by the whining and complaining in my own mind. Even the labels "whining" and "complaining" are just my own story.
  
• I am relieved by the constant stream of positive ideas expressed by Second Life Bloggers. That's very true. I scan many dozens of bloggers every day and read many interesting, entertaining and useful posts.
  
• Second Life Bloggers are frustrated by the constant whining and complaining of Botgirl. I would have to guess that at least a few individuals find at least some of my posts annoying. I even do sometimes in retrospect.
  

Original statement:
I want Second Life Bloggers to stop bitching and moaning all the time.

Turn arounds:

• I want to stop bitching and moaning all the time. That's true. Not only in what I express, but in what goes on internally.
  
• I want Second Life Bloggers to keep bitching and moaning all the time. There are many important issues they address. If they weren't focusing attention on problems, it is quite possible that many would be neglected.
  

Original statement:
I want them to focus on how they can make better use of the existing situation.

Turn arounds:

• I want me to focus on how I can make better use of the existing situation. I've only skimmed the surface of what's available on Second Life. I tend to go back to what's known, familiar and comfortable.
  
• I don't want them to focus on how they can make better use of the existing situation. It's not my job to want them to do anything. They are responsible for what they do. I am responsible for what I do.
  

Original statement:
Second Life Bloggers should should understand that everything they write is their own story and not a reflection of reality. They should stop blaming their own distress on others.

Turn arounds:

• I should understand that everything I write is my own story and not a reflection of reality. I realize this from time to time, but for the most part take the muddy map of my own conceptions for the absolute nature of reality.
  
• I should stop blaming my own distress on others. Can't argue with that one.
  
• Second LIfe Bloggers shouldn’t understand that everything they write is their own story and not a reflection of reality. They're humans. They are made up to do just that.
  
• They shouldn’t stop blaming their own distress on others. Same as above. They should keep doing it until they don't.
  

Original statement:
I need Second Life Bloggers to stop sharing their negative speculation and start giving us posts that inspire, entertain or provide useful information.

Turn arounds:

• I don’t need Second Life Bloggers to stop sharing their negative speculation and start giving us posts that inspire, entertain or provide useful information. It's none of my business. I have no real idea about the effects of anything they write. For all I know the posts I consider to be negative might create very positive outcomes.
  
• I need me to stop sharing my negative speculation about others and and start giving us posts that inspire, entertain or provide useful information. Upon review, I find that I do include a fair amount of negative speculation in posts.
  

Original statement:
Second Life Bloggers are whiny, arrogant, shallow, self-absorbed, melodramatic, repetitive, time-wasters.

Turn arounds:

• I am a whiny, arrogant, shallow, self-absorbed, melodramatic, repetitive, time-waster. I have exhibited all of those qualities at times.
  
• Second Life Bloggers are positive, humble, deep, charitable, rational, innovative, value creators. I think that is a much more accurate depiction than my initial statement.

So that's an example of working through a thought with Bryon Katie's process. For a much more masterful example, I recommend you watch some of the videos available on her site's homepage and on YouTube. There's a related group in Second Life.

Fantasy Strike League

A number of SL-centric bloggers are refraining from issuing posts from April 15-17 as a protest against Linden Lab’s trademark policy. As much as I’d like a good excuse to take a break for a few days, I’m obviously not participating. Here’s why:

• It's only been about three weeks since the announcement. It is unrealistic to expect a fast rewrite of a complex legal document and associated business strategy that probably took many months of consideration and work to create. I am choosing to give them the benefit of the doubt for the time being. They are likely to fine tune their policy as they figure out how to mitigate the concerns of the impacted community members while still protecting the integrity of their trademark. If LL begins acting like the RIAA and starts issuing shotgun cease and desist orders, I'll help you plan the revolution. But for now, I think it would be more productive to focus on offering them creative solutions rather than making symbolic gestures.
  

• The word “strike” is inappropriate and in a sense demeans the term. Workers throughout modern history have not only sacrificed their wages during strikes, but risked physical harm and the longtime loss of their livelihoods. Labeling this action as a strike seems disingenuous. Bloggers are not LL employees. Calling it a protest would be much more accurate.
  

• Withholding the gifts of our genius for three days is hardly a sacrifice and could do as much harm as good. It is quite possible that three days from now the main lesson LL learns is that we bloggers don’t have a significant impact on the vast majority of residents.
  

• If this is worth fighting for, then put some real skin in the game and take action that is likely to have a tangible impact. A boycott might do the trick. What if people stopped buying and selling for three days. Better yet, what if residents and merchants didn’t log in for three days. Now that would be a wake-up call if there was significant participation. It would also allow those with grievances to demonstrate that they are willing to make a real sacrifice to achieve their aims.
  

Now I am not, I repeat, I am not advocating a boycott at this time. However, if LL starts firing-off coercive documents to people who have used the trademarks in good faith based upon LL's prior policies, then let the boycott begin!

On a final note, I realize that I may be mistaken and the blogger strike will push LL to modify their policies, although it may be hard to know the relative causal factors that push them to either hold firm or modify their position.