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Day One of the Virtual Worlds 2007, NYC.

Philip Rosedale, founder and CEO of Linden Labs gave the opening presentation at VW ‘o7, 9am. In an auditorium jam packed with a Fortune 500 crowd gathered to look at, “The Future of Marketing and Media,” Philip Rosedale/Linden stayed true to his visionary, futurist roots. His talk centered on the theme: “What makes virtual worlds special is not that they are 3D, but that they are richly collaborative……We are there together, make things together, explore things together. This was not obvious in 2003. Virtual Worlds will change the nature of who we are. This type of experience changes you, makes you demand change in the real world that is so easy to change in virtual environments…..this technology ends up changing us as people.”

I took this picture in the hallway after the presentation, where the press had gathered to get interviews. Philip is deeply engaged in a discussion. But, he is not explaining Linden Lab’s mission to a key influencer, a reporter from PC (one was waiting for him) or a CEO (and, there were many eager to engage his attention). Even though he was scheduled to leave for South Carolina before noon, Philip Rosedale is taking the time to talk to an educator who asked him how his students can get involved in Linden Labs as interns. And, right after his interview with Fuji Television Network News, he took the time to talk to me (and my ipod!) about Second Life’s possible role in positive global development. Now, that made my day!

I met Philip Rosedale at the back of the crowded theater. In a full house, I was sitting on the floor. And, after his introduction, he sat down there too! So, I asked him if he would be willing to give a short interview for my blog on the role of SL in positive global development. I mentioned how excited I was about the potential of virtual worlds in this regard. And, he was equally enthusiastic, saying this was a very interesting topic. I mentioned I had done a post recently on “Africa and Second Life,” commenting on the advocacy for the role of virtual worlds in positive global development in general, and Second Life in particular, by Mutumwa Mawere. I was quite delighted to hear Philip had read this article in zimdaily.com too!

Here is the beginning of the interview. I will transcribe more tomorrow. But, Day 2 of VW ’07 starts early, and it is late already, so here is the start.

Me: What are your thoughts about the possible role of Second Life in positive global development?

Philip Rosedale: There is no question that Second Life is in many ways, especially at its early stages, a more powerful transformative cultural educational tool, in a sense, than perhaps it is an entertainment tool. In other words, the greatest opportunity for change and capability that it offers to anyone is someone who is not well connected to the world, and can learn Second Life, and jump in there, and basically instantly be in this $40 million a month economy – this huge base of people from around the world. So I think that developing countries and how they can use Second Life is incredibly exciting. I think that the only thing that we don’t actually really know the answers to as a company is how the broad band enablement, and the typical pc, and how the cost of access or the access regime works in a particular country – with getting pcs connected to the net.
Tags: Second Life | Web 3D | Virtual Worlds | Philip Rosedale | Linden Labs | Africa | global development | Virtual Worlds 2007 | marketing | media | Philip Linden | Virtual Reality |