A world within a closet.

While venturing around LambdaMOO, I realized that it reminded me of Narnia. It was a magical world where anything could happen. There were fairies, witches, talking animals, evil-doers, and humans all thrown into one metaphorical space. Sometimes waging epic battles, other times just hanging out and talking about the weather. What really reminded me of Narnia was the fact that you appeared in a closet. To get to LambdaMOO one had to magically appear in a closet, one in which many more people than physically could fit in it would be residing until they decided to leave.

Like the children in the Chronicles of Narnia, those who chose to venture to LambdaMOO are journeying into a land of magic, albeit virtual, and companionship. As shown in Julian Dibbel's A Rape in Cyberspace,there are those who wish to cause harm. Mr. Bungle is comparative to the White Witch in Narnia.

He caused havoc, disrupting the people, destroying what they loved, and taking advantage of them in ways no one had ever experienced. He was the villain. Opposite of him were those who chose to stand up for what was right. They acted as the Pevensie children and the army's of Narnia. Forming their own governments and punishments so as to discourage such action, and in the end defeat Bungle. Their White Witch.

But what does this mean in the scheme of things? What am I trying to say? What does Narnia and LambdaMOO being similar have anything to do with my usual blog posts

The significance is that Narnia and the real world lived side by side. They complimented each other, creating an escape for Pevensie's. It allowed them a place to thrive and lead as they never could have in their own world. LambdaMOO is the same for its users. It is a world in which they can be whoever they want to be. A king, an elf, a goblin warlock intent on taking over the world; all while still being themselves at home.

Many people view internet "worlds" as unsafe; detrimental to user's health and relationships, but it doesn't have to be. The internet, LambdaMOO, and internet communities everywhere can be a nice escape. When handled properly they can give users opportunities they would have never had. One just has to take advantage of them and not get too lost within the solace it provides.

Just like in Narnia, bad things can happen. The children could have died and never came back. They could have become lost, or refused to return. Users of LambdaMOO and other communities also have this to fear. They cannot sacrifice their real life, so to speak, relationships for those of the MOOers, nor can they sacrifice those of the MOOers for real life. All are important and help them grow.

For those who chose to experience online worlds, both can exist in harmony. If only everyone had a wardrobe they could escape into.