[news.groups] sci.virtual-worlds

felix@swi.psy.uva.nl (Felix van Rijn) (11/24/89)

I did not read news for a week. So I had to go through over 300 articles
in news.groups to see if there was anything of interest. Most of it was not
at all, on the contrary. At least, if you are not a psycho-analyst.

BUT, my patience was not in vain at all. I am in favour (very strongly)
for the SCI.VIRTUAL-WORLDS group. But why such a discussion about the
name of the group? I guess that Bob Jacobson suggested a name that most
adequetely reflected his ideas about this group. So, why not leave it
like this and continue with the formal procedures (whatever they are) to
have it established. 

Felix van Rijn.

paleo@uncecs.edu (Constantine A. LaPasha) (11/28/89)

I think there is a definite need for a newsgroup in this area
and that the timing is appropriate.  "Virtual-worlds" seems
appropriate since that is the term in current use by those
involved in this research, as opposed to the "cyber..." versions
which seem to be in vogue with the fiction writers.  The 
subject IS real science, and systems of this nature exist now.
We need a forum for serious discussion of the technology and
its implications, and since the site here does not carry
any alt or talk groups, I'll be selfish and push for sci. even
though I think it really belongs in sci. anyway.  

summary: yes to sci.virtual-worlds
          since a serious cross-discipline forum is needed
          and virtual-worlds is the defacto accepted term
          by workers in this field

kjones@talos.uucp (Kyle Jones) (11/29/89)

Constantine A. LaPasha writes:
 > The subject IS real science [...]

I remain unconvinced.  Am I alone?  I can see scientific aspects, yes,
but the proposed charter allows the discussion of anything remotely related
virtual-worlds, and I don't think these discussions belong in the sci
hierarchy.

gsmith@garnet.berkeley.edu (Gene W. Smith) (12/09/89)

In article <1989Nov28.173100.10249@talos.uucp>, kjones@talos
(Kyle Jones) writes:

>Constantine A. LaPasha writes:
> > The subject IS real science [...]

>I remain unconvinced.  Am I alone?

  No, you're not. The way the proponents of this group as science
spout off about what they are doing makes me doubt if they know
what the hell science is. Also, it would be better if we had some
way of telling in advance what the level of discussion would be
like. Is this just alt.cyberspace in a false mustache, or what?
--
ucbvax!garnet!gsmith    Gene Ward Smith/Brahmsgangster/Berkeley CA 94720
                 "Your notation sucks!"  Serge Lang