Comments on: Case Study X: An Example of _Variable AFKism_ http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/ A working manual discussing the formation and evolution of synthetic environments. Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:27:06 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Greg J. Smith http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Greg J. Smith Wed, 07 May 2008 19:37:33 +0000 http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/#comment-59 Mez, I really am digging this line of thought you're developing. The case study of X/Xster is quite helpful in illuminating your thoughts from the last post. Keep the observations and commentary comin'.. I like this landscape you are delineating (maybe trips the the kitchen are an interzone between at keyboard and AFK states). :) Mez,

I really am digging this line of thought you’re developing. The case study of X/Xster is quite helpful in illuminating your thoughts from the last post. Keep the observations and commentary comin’..

I like this landscape you are delineating (maybe trips the the kitchen are an interzone between at keyboard and AFK states). :)

]]> By: Cookie Evans http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Cookie Evans Wed, 07 May 2008 06:25:52 +0000 http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/#comment-58 Hi Mez, I like your thoughts on hard/soft AFK and the various states of immersion and monitoring. I always feel uncomfortable when referring activities or states of presence being IRL, first life, or SL, especially since I feel that many of my relationships in and around virtual environments are dependent upon each other. As our understanding of reality and space become more and more convoluted, I feel that terminology along the lines of "In Real Life", and "Second Life" imposes a dichotomy between the virtual and the real whose existence I can no longer be sure of. After all, how much of our "concrete" reality is manufactured or constructed around ever changing ideals of what reality should be? Additionally to what extent is our perception of reality shaped by the language with with we use to talk about it? I think this case study is a good step in the direction of updating the way in which we talk about synthetic and natural worlds and understanding the conflation of the two as an unending mixed reality. And while Rubaiyat and Ashendar bring attention and possibly some level of insecurity to the looseness with which specific/descriptive terms like AFK are being used, I find this looseness to be somewhat appropriate given the slippery nature of the reality to which it is being applied. Hi Mez, I like your thoughts on hard/soft AFK and the various states of immersion and monitoring. I always feel uncomfortable when referring activities or states of presence being IRL, first life, or SL, especially since I feel that many of my relationships in and around virtual environments are dependent upon each other. As our understanding of reality and space become more and more convoluted, I feel that terminology along the lines of “In Real Life”, and “Second Life” imposes a dichotomy between the virtual and the real whose existence I can no longer be sure of. After all, how much of our “concrete” reality is manufactured or constructed around ever changing ideals of what reality should be?
Additionally to what extent is our perception of reality shaped by the language with with we use to talk about it? I think this case study is a good step in the direction of updating the way in which we talk about synthetic and natural worlds and understanding the conflation of the two as an unending mixed reality.
And while Rubaiyat and Ashendar bring attention and possibly some level of insecurity to the looseness with which specific/descriptive terms like AFK are being used, I find this looseness to be somewhat appropriate given the slippery nature of the reality to which it is being applied.

]]> By: Jeremy Owen Turner http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Jeremy Owen Turner Wed, 07 May 2008 06:14:57 +0000 http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/#comment-57 I want to know if anyone is really AFWoW (Away from World of Warcraft) for any meaningful length of time ;-) I want to know if anyone is really AFWoW (Away from World of Warcraft) for any meaningful length of time ;-)

]]> By: Ashendar http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/comment-page-1/#comment-56 Ashendar Wed, 07 May 2008 04:28:49 +0000 http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/#comment-56 I like rubaiyat's term AFD as a description of variable afk-ism. I also thought of AFE - attention focused elsewhere - as a possible abbreviation to describe this form of behaviour. As the example of rubaiyats's students demonstrates, variable afk-ism is basically a natural human trait. The advantage with the synthetic world, dare i say it, is that one can claim they were AFK when they actually may have been AFD/AFE. Cheers Ash I like rubaiyat’s term AFD as a description of variable afk-ism. I also thought of AFE – attention focused elsewhere – as a possible abbreviation to describe this form of behaviour.

As the example of rubaiyats’s students demonstrates, variable afk-ism is basically a natural human trait. The advantage with the synthetic world, dare i say it, is that one can claim they were AFK when they actually may have been AFD/AFE.

Cheers

Ash

]]> By: rubaiyat http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/comment-page-1/#comment-55 rubaiyat Wed, 07 May 2008 03:40:21 +0000 http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/#comment-55 I have to agree with @ashendar, but I understand the level of awareness and attention. In this case afk is not about presence but attention and afk is not to be taken literally. This line of discussion has actually crossed networks for me and I had a lengthy discussion about this before reading it. One of the interesting things that came up deals with level of attention and the attention economy in the classroom. I find it interesting that my students often seem AFD (away from discussion) when IFOK (in front of keyboard) which poses an interesting juxtaposition of word and meaning. How good are you at having an in depth discussion while in an intense combat? rs I have to agree with @ashendar, but I understand the level of awareness and attention. In this case afk is not about presence but attention and afk is not to be taken literally.

This line of discussion has actually crossed networks for me and I had a lengthy discussion about this before reading it. One of the interesting things that came up deals with level of attention and the attention economy in the classroom. I find it interesting that my students often seem AFD (away from discussion) when IFOK (in front of keyboard) which poses an interesting juxtaposition of word and meaning.

How good are you at having an in depth discussion while in an intense combat?

rs

]]> By: Ashendar http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Ashendar Tue, 06 May 2008 23:38:03 +0000 http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/#comment-54 Technically, X was no longer "away from keyboard" once they returned to their keyboard. Yes, i'm being pedantic. Cheers Ash Technically, X was no longer “away from keyboard” once they returned to their keyboard.
Yes, i’m being pedantic.

Cheers

Ash

]]> By: Jeremy Owen Turner http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Jeremy Owen Turner Mon, 05 May 2008 21:04:50 +0000 http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/#comment-53 Hey Mez, We did not do the mucous quest...I did, however, get a Fire Totem for the next ritual :-) Well, I had better make more room for more comments for this case study posting of yours... Any comments about this posting, anyone? Hey Mez,

We did not do the mucous quest…I did, however, get a Fire Totem for the next ritual :-)

Well, I had better make more room for more comments for this case study posting of yours… Any comments about this posting, anyone?

]]> By: mez http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/comment-page-1/#comment-52 mez Sun, 04 May 2008 02:05:59 +0000 http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/#comment-52 Hi Jer, Thanks for the feedback re: case study X. I do hope that ppl pick up on the fact that even _hard afking_ is a variable state; while X is technically away from his board, he's still in an active [though remote] synthetic monitoring state. Unfortunately I can't make it this Sunday. Here's hoping you finish that charming mucus quest;) Lok'Tar! -M Hi Jer,

Thanks for the feedback re: case study X. I do hope that ppl pick up on the fact that even _hard afking_ is a variable state; while X is technically away from his board, he’s still in an active [though remote] synthetic monitoring state.

Unfortunately I can’t make it this Sunday. Here’s hoping you finish that charming mucus quest;)

Lok’Tar!
-M

]]> By: Jeremy Owen Turner http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Jeremy Owen Turner Sat, 03 May 2008 08:35:15 +0000 http://arsvirtuafoundation.org/research/2008/05/02/case-study-x-an-example-of-_variable-afkism_/#comment-51 WoW! Awesome case study you have simulated there. It is unfortunate that I am too "wiped" from not having enough "bio breaks" today...sigh! I am too AFK to even "raid" the fridge. I will try and write something remotely intelligent on here soon. In the meantime, will you be Returning To Keyboard (R2K) in time to WoW during Sunday's Guild Office Hours? FOR THE HORDE! -Sigilbringer WoW! Awesome case study you have simulated there. It is unfortunate that I am too “wiped” from not having enough “bio breaks” today…sigh! I am too AFK to even “raid” the fridge.

I will try and write something remotely intelligent on here soon.

In the meantime, will you be Returning To Keyboard (R2K) in time to WoW during Sunday’s Guild Office Hours?

FOR THE HORDE!

-Sigilbringer

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