3/19 “Telstra hit over virtual Uluru”

            This brief news article centers around the controversial use of digitally rendered copyrighted and government protected sites or landmarks within the virtual world of “Second Life”. The bulk of the article centers around Telstra (an Australian multi-media corporation) rendering images of Uluru and the Sydney Opera House on its second life island “The Pond.” The Uluru, formerly known as Ayer’s Rock, is a sight considered sacred by the aboriginal people of Australia and visits and photography of certain sections of the landmark are highly restricted by both the aboriginal people and the national park service. The controversy surrounds the ability of second life participants to view the landmark in a much greater capacity and with more freedom within the digital space. Some restrictions have been put in place similar to real world legislation within the virtual space, such as prohibiting the ability to fly over the rock or walk on it. The Anangu people argue however, that a visitor may be able to view sacred areas of the rock which are prohibited in real life. Similar issues are raised concerning the Sydney Opera House, as the likeness of it is copyrighted, and therefore its rendering within second life brings with it much controversy.

            This controversy raises interesting questions concerning where the border between the sacred and the digital can be drawn within the new highly interactive and beautifully rendered digital space such as Second Life. The fact that this rendering of the holy landmark within a digital world is raising alarms gives great weight to the argument that these digital spaces have legitimacy in a spiritual sense, and that the meaning of a landmark can extend beyond its geographic space within the real world, and exist simultaneously within tow worlds.