The past week has been quite interesting as Libyan bloggers discussed the relative merits of a parallel universal, virtual reality or a chance at a Second Life [1] which you could enter anytime you want if you were bored with your current one.
This brings the movies Vanilla Sky [2] or even the Matrix [1] to my mind.
Highlander who started the conversation [3] says:
” Articles are increasingly cropping out about Second Life and that means I can no longer keep silent about this phenomenon […] especially if the Swedish Embassy is opening [4]an office now ! While the radical French politician Le Pen ideology has recently been greeted with protests [5] and even violent demonstrations here [6] […]
Politics and activism ? this is serious stuff so if you were thinking that this place is teaming with cybersex and all sorts of ‘fun’ then think again. The ‘greenies’ are here as well , so if you care for the environment and global warming then why don't you log on to ‘climate island’ [7]and check what solutions they can offer. […] WOW, this means Second Life is NOT a fantasy world as we thought but a REAL one with all the attribute of this first life somewhere else. Online !”
One of the bloggers who shared their Second Life experience is Safia [8] from Safia Speaks, who reflects her dislikes as follows:
” Second Life is a money machine, nothing else, and even a bad one. Why “millions of users” would spend “hours” on that crap is a mystery to me. I´d rather invest in a REAL 3D-game, such as The Sims or America´s Army or Gears of War or any of those 3D walkers/shooters that are actually FUN to play and who don´t suck the money out of my bank account as hours go buy.”
The other hot topic on the table was the case of the 400 plus children infected with AIDS in Benghazi, Libya. Here the debate was raging at AngloLibyan's blog. AngloLibyan [9] presented the topic from another point of view, namely that of the children. Because the outcry in the West and most of the world is for the Bulgarian medical staff ( with a nominal mention of the Palestinian doctor) while the other victims there and who are definitely innocent are totally out of the picture. He is disappointed that the issue has turned into a political posturing and a bullying by the West bordering on blackmail while children are loosing their life. He eloquently says:
” Are we going to see some sort of kind support from Europe towards these children? Europe announced recently that it has collected about 120 Million Euros to help treat the children but that the money will not be be given to the victims until the medics are released! Is this right?? So if the medics are still in Jail then Europe is saying let your children suffer and die, we are not helping them.”
Soad from My Enchanting Sereeb [10], takes another path, that of nostalgia and the Libya of the 60s-70s with stories of her sister ‘Duja and their childhood adventures.
” ‘Here, I know you like Usban, so I brought you this fresh Dowara.’ The bag was soft and warm” [read the rest here [11]] .
While Maysoon [12] a Libyan working mom, who recently returned to Libya is shocked at the how we drive here.
Leave alone those who actually drive with their babies in their laps behind the steering wheel!!???!!! And those who are driving and want to change lanes, and they think the street is theirs, and can move from lane to another without even looking?!! or those who park and decide to get out of the car without looking if there is a car coming their way. Believe me to drive in Libya you have to have 10 eyes (as Mom says) O Insha'Allah!”
Last but not least is White African [13] continues to entertain us with her stories about her Hajj experience here [14].