Exclusive Interview with Second Life Liberation Army Leader (SLLA)

Web Culture/Second Life/Wayne Porter
Found on: revenews.com

The Second Life Liberation Army's (SLLA) first target was high profile brand American Apparel, then they went after Reebok.

Their tactics are simple: armed and determined SLLA volunteers are positioned around the vendor's virtual store to prevent other SL residents from entering and ultimately from buying any of the vendors goods -- WoW!

Revenews interview:

As a security researcher and e-commerce consultant I became more intrigued as larger brands moved into the Second Life environment and now unhappy avatars (digital representations of real people) have bonded together to fight against an establishment they feel is unfair. I can understand this backlash, but I won't draw analogies here, or make overt conclusions, or take sides, but leave it to the reader to decide or investigate on their own. However does "The Grid" and its economics and politics mimic real life- much like some strange phantasmagormic mirror?. Already we have seen dDos attacks, and now attacks that mimic real life...what does this all mean? Now and for our future?

Porter: 1) What is the purpose behind the Second Life Liberation Army and how old is it?

SLLA: The SLLA exists to highlight and agitate for Political Rights within Second Life. The movement was founded in April 2006 but found its true meaning following the changes made to SL by LL (Linden Labs) when they made possible the creation of unverified accounts. This attracted a lot of covert support from longer-term residents who wanted some change but didn't want to go public -- so they provided us with some funding.

Porter: 2) Specifically what problem(s) in Second Life do the SLLA wish to call attention too?

SLLA: As more and more people have significant interests in SL it amazes me that they are not looking for some kind of protections. Our view is that the only way to achieve this is through some form of nascent political involvement.