Tuesday, November 10, 2009

What's New Is Old: Yesterday Returns

I began to notice changes leading to a new view on the world we call SecondLife and the Metaverse. Perhaps you've noticed many of your friends are on less (I am not talking about those who've left the Metaverse). They are spending time in Blue Mars or at Rezzable Open Grid.

You've heard how Musicians find audiences shrinking and not sure what to do. You've heard the thoughts of SecondLife becoming small regional spheres of influence. You may have noticed NPIRL stopped writing their blog. And, if you haven't you should go read Bettina Tizzy's closing blog http://npirl.blogspot.com/

I think this particular quote from the NPIRL blog is pertinent

"
I like to think Not Possible IRL has raised awareness of quality content, not just in Second Life but in other virtual worlds where User Generated Content is possible."

Now that I'm doing some recording for Treet.TV and after checking the advertising on Vain Magazine (SL mag on both web and in world) I have come to believe the future of performance art (Music, Books, Shows etc) will be a combination of a New Age Television (web based) Channel such as Treet .

This will have a new type of advertising associated with it and will be able to be seen on many different devices. Right now many Treet shows are posted to ITune Podcast but I see the return of the old Network Broadcast Stations. Treet will be able to cross metaverse platforms and shows like "Tonight Live", "First Question" and others will be (an old word) broadcast live to these other platforms.

In some ways, we can think of the various metaworlds as being other cities, towns, etc. In their earliest formation they will have their regional broadcast but eventually they will be networked. This network will be so cross platform we will one day see Treet.TV on your regular TV with it's own channel. (hey, I say Treet because that's where my show is).

There will be a live show in one Metaverse and watched by many who don't even visit that Metaverse and some who don't log on to any world but do use the Net. We will need smart, fun ads that are short. Show formats may include an hour long episode but also perhaps a simple musician's 15 minute Live show. Look at television (shows on architecture, underwater SL adventures) and any creative content keeping viewers coming back and staying longer.

We will have creators and in world viewers but we will also have completely passive 'organic couch potatoes."

Treet will need to not only produce good programming but also plan to keep the audience from one show to the next. At some point the producers will comment before their show is over what's coming up next.

Yes, at some point "What's New is Old." And we will be watching "Yesterday Returns."

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