Second Life described superficially like “role play” or even as “platform where people give free rein to their fantasies” by Italian Press.

Once again, the Italian press does not miss the opportunity to cast a shadow over the gaming platform of Linden Lab. The pretext of so much denigration is the murder of Paolo Vaj, shot dead by Angelica Comaci, Patrizia Armellin‘s virtual daughter.

Patrizia and Angelica played the roles of mother and daughter in Second Life. Those who live in SL know that many situations of family relationships exist. These roles are distinct. People who pretend family relationships in SL are aware that it is a fiction. Patrizia and Angelica had probably crossed the game’s limits, confusing a role played with real Life.

However, the Italian press does not make differences or clarifications, and hastily defines the virtual relationship between mother and daughter as “sick,” a “mental disorder.”The one between Patrizia and Angelica was probably sick (I am not sure since I don’t know them). I read in the press that the magistrate will ask for a psychiatric examination to ascertain the mental illness.

The Italian press speaks about Second Life as a “role play” and subsequently, not satisfied, defines it as a “platform where people give free rein to their fantasies.” In those” fantasies,” it suggests a world of frustrations, of unexpressed libido, violence, and masochism.

In fact, in Italian, there is a noticeable difference between saying “gives free rein to the imagination” and say “gives free rein to his fantasies.”
Italians are aware of the negative propaganda that the press gives to SL. We know that the reporters describe SL players as “mentally disturbed.” Reporters don’t think Imvu or High Fidelity players are “mentally ill,” they instead believe SL players are problematic people.

Perhaps because reporters see SL as a “platform to express one’s unexpressed fantasies.” Imvu and High Fidelity offer the same opportunities in Second Life, but those who populate these virtual worlds are not mentally ill. A Second Life player however is. Why? Maybe because SL is not just a game, but a place to vent your frustrations, in their opinion.
I do not want to talk about Patrizia and Angelica. I don’t know them, and I don’t know if there was any confusion between the role played and real Life. I do not know anything about the victim, Paolo Vaj, nor if there was a legitimate defense, a negligent excess in self-defense or intentional murder.

What I know is that the sad crime story has little to do with SL. Some events are unfortunately part of Life, of complex emotional dynamics and disorders, such as Vaj’s alcohol abuse.

Second Life was an opportunity for Patrizia and Angelica to meet. A bar, WhatsApp or other makes no difference.

To say that whoever plays in Second Life is a mental disturbance is like saying that who plays The Sims is a voyeur. Nonsense.
Finally, I suggest LL read with attention to the Italian press and how it describes SL.
I am not sure their way to express opinions are legal.

Was this article helpful?
YesNo
Oema
noilen75@gmail.com
Just Another Virtual Explorer!
ECLIPSE Magazine July Cover Previous post ECLIPSE Magazine July 2019
Next post LEA closing, voice to the Community: suggestions, ideas and new projects

2 thoughts on “Second Life destroyed by Italian press: the murder of Paolo Vaj

  1. I am the wife of Paolo Vaj. I just wanted to let you know that the investigations have confirmed that, as I have always said since the early days, Second Life has nothing to do with crime. Unfortunately, Italian journalists have a bad usance of making spectacular news using what they do not know well, such, in this case, SL. It was Miss Armellin who designed it all, involving Miss Cormaci in order to inherit Paolo’s huge patrimony. The trial will open on April 14 and finally he will be brought justice.
    Best regards,
    Roberta Bencini

    1. Thank you so much, Roberta, for your comment. I really appreciate your desire for justice and for the truth to come out.

      Best Regards,
      Oema

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *