Virtial terrorists in Second Life have bombed a virtual American Apparel outlet and Reebok store. The terrorist plot was carried out by a group of orgranized Second Lifers who believe, "The population of the world should have a say in the running of the world."
The terrorist group is called the Second Life Liberation Army.
Implications - As virtual worlds become more widely adopted in mainstream culture, these online arenas are experiencing many of the same cultural shifts we see in real life. Romances, arguments and even terrorist actions are increasingly taking place within online communities as users struggle to have their voice heard against the clamor of millions of other fellow users.
Virtual Terrorism
Second Life Virtual Community Suffers First Terrorist Attack
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Worlds - As virtual worlds become more widely adopted in mainstream culture, there is an opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating new virtual experiences and platforms.
2. Online Communities - The increasing occurrence of romances, arguments, and even terrorist actions within online communities presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating safer and more secure online platforms.
3. Social Activism - The emergence of groups like the Second Life Liberation Army highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in using virtual platforms for social activism and giving marginalized voices a platform to be heard.
Industry Implications
1. Virtual Reality - The rise of virtual worlds calls for disruptive innovation in the virtual reality industry to create more immersive and interactive experiences.
2. Cybersecurity - The need for safer and more secure online communities presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the cybersecurity industry to develop advanced threat detection and prevention systems.
3. Social Media - The growing importance of online communities calls for disruptive innovation in the social media industry to create inclusive and supportive platforms that amplify diverse voices and prevent harmful actions.