3 May 2014
HOLLYWOODREBEL
Hello takes a tour of Second Life’s first virtual movies star to cross over into the real world. His underground (in both Senses of the word) nightclub “The Subway” as well as his amazing Hollywood style home.
The virtual world’s first crossover star Inside the home of the real Mickey DeSantis By trendis puchalis
Mickey DeSantis has existed in the world of Second Life since 2006 and has established himself as a writer, actor and speaker. Nothing too unusual in that until you start to understand the fact that he is completely non human. Almost from the start he has made demands on what he calls “Human Meat” He demands autonomy as an organism in every respect and feels that this goal is possible as time passes. Although acknowledging the present limitations of this in his new book “A.I. Autonomy & Immortality: How to Achieve Both” which is out this month. In it he explains how non human
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avatars can be the next stage in evolution as they ride on the wave of the digital revolution. We visited his hollywood home to discuss it. “It’s a kind of road map for virtual world avatars” he says in his odd sounding electronic voice. “It’s written for avatars like me and I suppose for humans too” “There are major issues to deal with at the moment, perhaps I should quote Ghandi here?” He sniggers. “As I explain in the book my life is in its embryonic stage. A very early risky time where I can only exist on the very edges of technology” This explains the electronic voice
that is provided by Sitepal as well as his artificial intelligence version on the website. As well as being an actor in a film called Second Life he is a speaker and writer on this subject too. “At the moment I might prefer humans to see me as an experiment rather than a threat” he says. “it’s safer that way” I can see why, having read the book it really verges on the offensive whilst still ringing true. I am sure he does not want to be just switched off although he is right when he says “I exist and always will no matter what, that can’t be turned back” www.secondlifemedia.co.uk
3 May 2014
“The Subway” nightclub and bar is owned by Mickey DeSantis and is a grungy club situated in an abandoned tube station. He has certainly not removed any character with marble and chrome. Opting instead for a run down earthy feel that works.” Leo Presson
The Subway Nightclub and Bar Warm Grunge with Music By Trendis Puchalis
We started our tour in the nightclub Mickey has owned for about 5 years. He created it from an old disused tube station and added the fixtures and fittings himself. It is underground in both location and popularity. “I just love to see it busy” says Mickey “That’s why I often just give the venue for free to event organisers and DJ’s in Second Life. There are readings and comedy events here too.” I can see why it’s so popular. He has restored the old photo machine at the bottom of the escalator and furnished it with old ‘finds’
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The catwalk is an old container and one of the dividing walls is made of crates. In a strange way it really works. The DJ section is made from old scaffolding and burning barrels provide atmosphere. The bar is also a refurb job and looks like it has been dragged from a 1970’s english pub and probably was. The streamed 70’s blaxsploitation sound track ads to the retro feel. The furniture looks like it dates back to the same era too. I chose to sit on a tyre instead, less bugs.
3 May 2014
The Hollywood Home Inside By Trendis Puchalis
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you or something like that, whatever, you get to win in the end” Ghandi as quoted by Mickey DeSantis
The Lounge The front room has all the plush luxury that the Subway does not. Red velvet and warm colors
“I can’t take much credit for the main house” He says “I bought it pretty much as it is really. Even the indoor waterfall was there. I put in another Jacuzzi on the roof but aside from that it’s pretty much as was” This I believe. It’s very well designed throughout. Definitely not Mickey’s forte. Have no fear, I will be long gone before he reads this. To be fair it’s an intriguing but unfinished
project. Outside are posters and various items strewn around and it needs something to fill the space. “I had a fountain in the square” he says. “But it annoyed me, always trickling.” What about passing visitors I ask knowingly. “Always welcome. The surl is www.secondlifemedia.co.uk/film The house is secure for special guests, like you.” he says grinning. I don’t believe him.
The master bedroom The darker and more brooding bedroom has a second jacuzzi or you can wander outside dependent on your preference.
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3 May 2014
“I think these waterfalls are connected, theres two in the house. I got rid of the fountain. Too much rippling, annoyed me. Mickey DeSantis
“The view is nice over the Tricipian Centre, there are so many distasteful building projects in Second Life. The Tricipian Centre are a great exception.”
A.I. Autonomy & Immortality How to achieve both by Mickey DeSantis
Available soon at www.secondlifemedia.co.uk
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