Dec 1, 2008 9:53 am US/Eastern
Governments, Schools Set Up Shop In Virtual Worlds
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Have you ever dreamed of working with NASA scientists? How about flying through a hurricane or getting a front-row seat at a state department briefing?
Now you can thanks to the exploding popularity of virtual worlds like
Entropia and
Second Life. It's estimated that 80 percent of active Internet users will live a virtual life within the next three years, and Uncle Sam is taking notice.
The State Department is one of several government agencies already conducting business in these cyber communities.
"I think it's important for government agencies to be appropriately engaged in this technology," said State Department official Bill May. "We're really looking at engaging in mutual understanding, developing understanding between American people and peoples of other countries."
The U.S. isn't the only government getting involved in these virtual worlds; Sweden even has a virtual embassy.
"It's an area where you can communicate with Swedes about Sweden," said Karl Peterson of the Swedish Institute.
The Chinese government has several facilities under construction in Entropia Universe. That's something May says will help the government reach out to the Chinese people.
"We will be well positioned to look at what to do in order to engage in public diplomacy with the Chinese people," he said.
Colleges and Universities are also setting up shop in these virtual worlds.
"The virtual campus has allowed literally thousands of people from all over the world to walk the sidewalks of Ohio University without even having to be here," explained Christopher Keesey of Ohio University.
Educators say the technology allows students and professors around the globe to collaborate. Ohio University grad student Jeff Lovett says he had a great experience with an Italian art professor. She toured Lovett's online art installation and then came back with her class later.
Bill May says the power of these sites cannot be ignored.
"A large number of folks have these online, constructive, professional, interpersonal relationships that are online and are just as strong as any that they have in real life. This is something that I think we need to recognize and work with," he explained.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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