Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Metanomics?
"Metanomics" refers to the study of the business and policy aspects of the "metaverse" of virtual worlds. Metanomics can focus on issues arising within virtual worlds, such as how developers manage the economy of a game world (like World of Warcraft), or how residents of virtual worlds manage and regulate business. Metanomics also includes the study of how real-world businesses can use virtual worlds as part of their strategy, and how real-world law and regulation might apply to virtual-world activities. Finally, metanomics includes the use of virtual worlds as laboratories in which to study real-world business or policy issues.
Metanomics can take an "immersionist," "augmentationist," or "experimentalist" perspective. Immersionist metanomics attempts to understand business and policy issues from entirely within the virtual world in question, with little reference to the outside world. Augmentationist metanomics views the metaverse as simple an addition (augmentation) to the real world, and examines how its appearance affects business practice and regulatory policy. Experimentalist metanomics uses the metaverse as a laboratory in which to conduct controlled experiments that can tell us something new about the real world (such as eliminating capital gains taxes actually does increase investment and productivity).
- How do I join Second Life?
You can open a Second Life account for free, but you will need to have a good computer and fast internet connection.
- What are the terms for participating in Metanomics
Metanomics is an open forum, and everyone is welcome to attend. We encourage audience members, whether at the main event location or our many event partner locations, to participate in the Metanomics group chat channels, local chat channels, or any other channels we are able to create. Our events are at their best when audience members use these means to respond to and ask questions of the speakers and each other.
However, Metanomics is an organized live event, and every moment is precious. To respect the time of our speakers and audience, we ask that all attendees follow agree to the following terms of participation:
Please show respect for our speakers, who are typically very busy people who have graciously agreed to talk in a public setting, often about controversial matters.
Please show respect for fellow audience members, by refraining from any personal insults or invective, belittling comments, or other forms of rude or bullying behavior.
Please do not distract others from the show by engaging in persistent and repeated debate on matters of tangential relevance to the topic at hand. Each episode of Metanomics is intended to be the start of a discussion, not the end, and we are glad to see that guests and audience members often continue to debate matters on blogs across the web for weeks after a show.
If you believe that an audience member is violating these terms of participation, please let us know. Try to avoid reacting in kind (fighting fire with fire), as this is invariably counterproductive.
We are delighted to be able to present Metanomics regularly to a large and growing audience of people interesting in the business and policy matters surrounding virtual worlds. We hope that clarifying and enforcing these terms of participation will make our events even more successful.
If you have any comments on this policy, please let us know!
- How can I prepare beforehand to get more out of a Metanomics event? How can I follow up afterward?
Every live event has its own dedicated web page. Before the event, you can go to the webpage to find some suggested readings that will give you helpful background information. Initial readings are chosen by the speaker and Prof. Bloomfield, but we encourage readers to post their own suggestions to the site. We also encourage readers to submit questions for the speakers, and to discuss related issues among themselves. After the event, we arrange for experts in the area to write post-event analyses, and again encourage reader discussion.
- How can I participate in Metanomics?
You can attend a free, live Metanomics event from within the virtual world of Second Life. Most events take place in Muse Isle amphitheater, and are simulcast to event partner locations throughout Second Life.
- Who is the intended audience for the Metanomics series?
The Metanomics audience includes game developers; executives managing real-world and virtual-world businesses; and scholars of business, economics, law and sociology. Residents of Second Life follow the Metanomics series particularly closely, as many events focus on issues arising in Second Life's vibrant business community.
