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Teens to take embarrassing ailments to Second Life doctors

guardian.co.uk — Spanish health authorities launched a virtual portal through Second Life designed to help young people too embarrassed to speak to a doctor about sexually transmitted disease or a drug problem. "This idea started as a way to connect real health professionals and adolescents and to give internet users a reliable space to get health advice."

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  • tbhurst, on 05/11/2008, -2/+139That actually seems like a really good idea.
    • atdakore, on 05/11/2008, -7/+40except you have to go into a stupid world of second life. Surely they should back this up with an irc channel.
      • Simonft, on 05/11/2008, -1/+25Then everybody would be really mean an make fun of you for not knowing what you have.
        • dynelol, on 05/11/2008, -5/+19The internet is about porn and being mean to people in humorous ways. Oh yeah and free movies and songs.
        • zephyr42, on 05/11/2008, -1/+7Don't forget free apps too.
          • lazyrussian, on 05/11/2008, -1/+4like youporn? that's close to an app :p
            bah, it's porn 2.0
          • TroHax, on 05/11/2008, -0/+1Redtube is taking porn 2.0 to 3.0, well yeah hopefully. alright back to the lesbian movie again.
      • badjoke, on 05/11/2008, -0/+4"I got my tail stuck in a squirrel-girl's ass. What do I do, Doc?"
      • Tripper44, on 05/11/2008, -3/+3IRC? that would only cover linux guys that are still living in the stoneage right?
      • Altanar, on 05/12/2008, -0/+5How many people under the age of 20 know what IRC is? My guess is about as many that know what Usenet is.
        • iSamurai, on 05/12/2008, -1/+1more cuz of all the GAMER kids in which IRC is still quite important
        • Gabberwok, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1Somehow I don't think the GAMER kids are getting too many STDs...
    • dynelol, on 05/11/2008, -19/+3It isn't good to hinder your social skills. If you're embarrassed, suck it the hell up and deal with it. Has anybody ever went to the doctors with Gonorrhea and heard "ya nasty mother *****!"?
    • Llanowar, on 05/11/2008, -0/+1And unfortunatly probably something that won't last long because people will take advantage of the service. I bet soon enough 95% of their patients are just joking around.
    • Duggan360, on 05/11/2008, -0/+1Yes, Yes it does
    • AriaStar, on 05/11/2008, -0/+3It's a sad bit of proof that people are more comfortable dealing with things by avoiding real people.
  • Surferess, on 05/11/2008, -2/+17So you have to speak Spanish, I take it? Cool idea.
    • wphj, on 05/11/2008, -0/+9Si.
    • atchon, on 05/11/2008, -1/+6High schoolers can get medical help and practice there Spanish it is a win win situation.
      • antonio97b, on 05/11/2008, -0/+7Win win because some people can't master "there" English.
    • Sife, on 05/11/2008, -0/+4Well seeing as how the Guardian interviewed one of the doctors in English, I'm going to go out there and say that they're bilingual, as most of Second Life is.
  • dcmusicfusion, on 05/11/2008, -1/+83How do you say "scab ridden boils" and "it burns when I pee" in spanish?
    • keitarofujiwara, on 05/11/2008, -1/+48gonorrhea
    • hank22, on 05/11/2008, -5/+14roña asolados hierve, se quema cuando me Pee
    • PabloIV, on 05/11/2008, -1/+18juanetes con cascaras y quema cuando orino
    • lineweight, on 05/11/2008, -4/+1donde está la puta del cuarto de baño??
    • KingGorilla, on 05/11/2008, -0/+13El diablo es en mi pantalones
      • kayala, on 05/11/2008, -0/+1está, not es.
      • Llanowar, on 05/11/2008, -0/+3Nice, I don't speak spanish, but I certainly got the meaning of that.
    • JamesDiggem, on 05/11/2008, -0/+4el queso es viejo y mohoso. ¿Dónde está el baño.


      - Encino Man
    • xokas11, on 05/11/2008, -0/+1it burns when I pee -> Hace fuego al mear
  • Tunguska, on 05/11/2008, -13/+3Umm, doc, I need a e-peen enlargement.
  • JosephShell, on 05/11/2008, -3/+23I feel that if one has something that looks like a pineapple growing on ones tackle, one should see a real doctor.
  • Disregard, on 05/11/2008, -8/+180Playing Second Life is an embarrassing ailment.
    • xsquirrel378x, on 05/11/2008, -3/+7embarrassing failment
    • leetninja, on 05/11/2008, -7/+1there is a cure ... all you have to do is take one oral dose of BULLET ... you know what they say ... a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down ... right?
  • diggitmofo, on 05/11/2008, -12/+21someone needs to write a virus that will wipe out second life and it's users
    • bjornski, on 05/11/2008, -4/+9If you don't log into it, how does it affect you?

      Get that stick out of your ass.
      • HeyChris, on 05/11/2008, -3/+2If you don't log into it, problem solved.
        • bjornski, on 05/11/2008, -3/+3Why does my game choice matter to you at all. Go back to WoW, or your Xbox or something.
    • gsensel, on 05/12/2008, -2/+1They have that already... its called Herpes.
  • Simonft, on 05/11/2008, -2/+88I don't know how useful this will be, most of the second life players i know aren't exactly at risk for STD's, or a drug problem for that matter.
    • airmann90, on 05/11/2008, -2/+2Well, the Furries can call dibs on the STD's, and the drug problems for that matter.
    • YourTechSupport, on 05/13/2008, -1/+1Actually, a good number of them are on some kind of drug for Adhd,depression,***** or something.
  • redcolumbine, on 05/11/2008, -0/+11Kind of a weird thing to have to do, but seems like a better idea than no medical advice at all.
  • borez, on 05/11/2008, -5/+17But doctor, you're virtual bandage (band-aid, antibiotic, cream, scrape etc. etc. etc.) just isn't working?
    • mark076h, on 05/11/2008, -1/+6give it some time, you just signed up and logged in about 20 minutes ago
    • Spaceomega, on 05/11/2008, -2/+8But doctor, you are virtual bandage (band-aid, antibiotic, cream, scrape etc. etc. etc.) just isn't working?
  • infinityredux, on 05/11/2008, -2/+36Can't they just use Instant Messaging?
    I don't get the point. There already are simpler ways to be anonymous over the internet.
  • BrainCoder, on 05/11/2008, -2/+9Finally something useful on SL...or at least something that is not covered in fur.
    • oojamaflip2006, on 05/11/2008, -1/+4not covered in fur you say?
    • PabloIV, on 05/11/2008, -1/+5Dr. House says, not covered in fur is a symptom
  • sexysissy, on 05/11/2008, -13/+1Good idea. I read a smilar story at blackwhitemeet dot com. There are many interesting comments.
  • Accolade1, on 05/11/2008, -1/+2While this seems like a convenient resource, I doubt that it would do much other than cause hypochondriasis in Second Life's demographic. Surely these individuals can find better help elsewhere.
  • kanvas, on 05/11/2008, -2/+11Can someone explain to these kids that doctors see thousands of people with weird problems and don't care about the rash on your balls? They are healers, not social critics.
    • MellerTime, on 05/11/2008, -1/+3Yeah, but I don't want that insanely hot nurse to know about it...

      And last week when I went to the doctor, he was training this insanely hot med student. I sure as hell don't want HER to know.
      • bjornski, on 05/11/2008, -0/+12It's not like she'd ***** you anyway. What's the difference?
    • ParanoydAndroid, on 05/12/2008, -0/+3It can be more than just simple embarrassment. If a girl got pregnant (especially in a highly catholic country like Spain) she may feel shame and wish, for her own mental state, to avoid _any_ personal contact with the person she's seeking advice from.
      Also, and this I know from experience, getting care for things like STD's can be pretty bad for homosexuals. Sometimes the look of disdain or disgust on a doctor's face when you have to share you sexual history is enough to make you lose confidence in their ability to provide the best care for you, beyond their personal beliefs.
      Of course I have to go to military hospitals so my experiences are probably a little worse than average.
  • edebolt, on 05/11/2008, -3/+6umm well I have a smurf growing off the end of my pecker. Tell me Dr. Avatar what should I do? Chainsaw smurfectomy?
  • TremorX, on 05/11/2008, -1/+3I'm gonna make serious bank with my leprosy attachments
  • cdigioia, on 05/11/2008, -1/+8I don't get it. Why is this better than say, a phone? Or if that's too much, than instant messenging on a website? Why does 2nd life need to be involved?
  • richardpryor, on 05/11/2008, -2/+1The last time I checked, doctors were paid to give a diagnosis and the appropriate. I've never heard "judging you for the rest of society" to be in the resume.
  • DamnMan, on 05/11/2008, -2/+12Anonymous Doctors are a good idea. Second Life? not so much. what prevents some asshole from posing as a doctor and recomending home urethra soundings? If only there were some anonymous way thats harder to fake and easier to use like say, I don't know, Email?
    • MellerTime, on 05/11/2008, -1/+3The answer is clearly for the US government to regulate Second Life medical practices. I demand we hold Senate hearings on the topic immediately!
    • SimonDonkers, on 05/11/2008, -1/+1Good point, email is much safer for these kind of things.

      And now I have to go update my Paypal account information before they close out my account. I'll have to do that before I can get that 10 million transfered from my Nigerian uncle.
    • absurdist, on 05/11/2008, -1/+1Home urethra soundings?

      WTF?!?!?!
  • ThankTheCheese, on 05/11/2008, -3/+8Isn't it cute when companies hop on a bandwagon like Second Life, thinking they're hip and with it, only to find out everyone else realised 2 years ago that Second Life sucks.
  • DurkaDONT, on 05/11/2008, -3/+1Here's to hoping the PN raid the hell out of it.
  • mark076h, on 05/11/2008, -1/+9people act like second life is any different than WoW or other MMORPG's its the same thing you just do different stuff
    • Tyrghast, on 05/11/2008, -1/+6no, its not. There is no max level, or better gear to get, all there is a sandbox world where you can build and do what you want. And you don't have to spend a single dime.
      • bjornski, on 05/11/2008, -0/+4I learned a lot about basic 3d-design while learning how to build there. Quite fun once you get building.
    • ferggo, on 05/11/2008, -0/+2It's completely different, actually. Second Life isn't even a game, and it's not intended to be.
  • PhantomPhoenix, on 05/11/2008, -1/+22Good idea...
    ...but how many teens on "Second Life" will actually be at risk for STDs?
  • coresnake, on 05/11/2008, -1/+5It started to burn when I ass-banged furries
  • gamename14, on 05/11/2008, -1/+2the only downside is that the prescriptions are only redeemable in second life
  • Carl306, on 05/11/2008, -1/+3The concept of Second Life in and of itself is stupid to begin with. This just adds to the flavor...
    And wouldn't it be funny if some 12 year old on there poses as a doctor? I could see it happening.
  • nothinghere, on 05/11/2008, -0/+2I suppose it would be easy to talk about genital herpes anonymously.
  • Torley, on 05/11/2008, -3/+7For those of you knocking Second Life: http://torley.com/second-life-simple-answers-to-cu ...

    I wish the article had gotten one big thing right, though: Second Life *has* a website, but the actual inworld experience is a virtual world enjoyed through its own application (called a viewer).
    • bjornski, on 05/11/2008, -2/+5Torley rocks.
    • MtheoryX, on 05/11/2008, -3/+4I, for one, am knocking Second Life. Your link did nothing to convince me that Second Life doesn't completely blow goats.
    • pablo0713, on 05/11/2008, -2/+3Torely is God. But, Torely, you will be fighting a losing battle if you come here to Digg and try to defend SL. I don't know what it is about Digg, but the users here seem to hate SL with a passion. I don't get it. Second Life is so much fun!!
  • Nelka, on 05/11/2008, -0/+3I suppose anything that gets people to seek professional medical attention is better than nothing at all. Still, I don't understand why so many people are afraid to see doctors for "embarrassing" problems. That is the whole point of a doctor. Whatever you might be suffering from, chances are that your doctor has seen MUCH worse. The more straight to the point you are, the better your doctor will be able to help you.
  • priegog, on 05/11/2008, -1/+2Wow... It seems like the idea has potential but I seriusly doubt they'll be able to make it work. How would they manage taking samples, looking at lesions, prescribing the medicines? Or is it just targeted towards separating trivial cases from those who should go see a real doctor? I don't think even that would work out. Medicine here in Spain is already free and painless, when I need to se my doctor for something I just pick up the phone and ask for an appointment, which they usually give me for the same day. All the doctors I've met are really nice and understanding, and I just really can't see why they should promote a worse alternative.
    ok /rant
    • priegog, on 05/11/2008, -0/+2Well, to elaborate a bit more, I guess it's good they're trying, but sometimes I feel these kinds of things pop up all the time and none of them stick because they don't really work. I for one, hadn't heard about it in the national news and had to find out tru here. and to be honest we aren't super internet-centric here. I guess I'd be the targeted audience (young and computer literate, even tho I wouldn't approach SL with a stick), and yet I'd never use it simply because being educated I know the importance of seeing a real doctor, and have learnt not to be ashamed. I just wish everytime they had some money burning in their pockets and wanted to plan something to trow it at, they consulted people like me to understand a bit more of how we think and how it should be done.
  • Nebula0024, on 05/11/2008, -2/+0Lol, grow a set of balls I say! Sweet jebus!
    (Unless of course your STD has taken those too!)
  • fxu1989, on 05/11/2008, -2/+3They ARE playing Second Life ..... so I doubt they'll be getting any STDs ...
  • JamesMorris, on 05/11/2008, -1/+3Just wait till 4chan gets whiff of this.
  • dilpil1, on 05/11/2008, -1/+2...why is second life involved?
  • artbell, on 05/11/2008, -2/+3Oh this is rich...teens, sex, chat, Second Life....this has Linden Labs TOS violation written all over it. And if it doesnt, wait till some Dutch TV Station brings in an AVI to chat with the doctor. They'll make a bid deal of it and the cowardly Lindens will permaban every account that had anything to do with this. BTW, what the hell are teens doing on the grid in the first place?
  • witchceltic, on 05/11/2008, -4/+0this makes me sick.....
    what is the world coming to? I am a fan of natural healing and truth..why should kids have to hide and sneek around. Read my favorite author Rochelle Moore on associated content...or her books on amazon. Life is "too short to stuff mushrooms" - genuine celtic witch with a grasp of reality in a world that has gone mad
  • JamesDiggem, on 05/11/2008, -0/+1wouldn't be the first time an online gamer caught a virus-
  • jerryterhorst, on 05/11/2008, -1/+1"Teenagers do not often go to see the doctor but this is an efficient and amusing tool"

    amusing STDs? win.
  • superkendall, on 05/11/2008, -1/+1Doctor, it seems my fur is just not as shiny as it used to be. Can you please help?

    [doctor dances in circle]
  • pablo0713, on 05/11/2008, -4/+5Second Life is great. Don't be fooled by people who say it is nothing but sex/pervs/furries. It is so much more than that. SL can be literally anything you want it to be. Want to play games, go for it. Want to RP, go for it. Want to create, the tools are there. Want to chat, you'll find upwards of 60K people logged in at any given moment. Want to explore 3D environments? What other platform can deliver user-created content three-four times the size of Manhattan? And what other platform gives you the opportunity to construct your own environments? You people go nuts over games like WoW and WAR and don't even realize how passive your entertainment is. You are the tools shelling out $60-100 for a game that takes several days to play. You are the tools consuming pre-determined scripted content that is not much better than zoning out in front of a t.v. screen. And you come here and belittle those who choose to spend their free time socializing and creating. I don't get it. You worship developers who make 3D worlds for you to kill in. But ridicule people who want to make 3D worlds simply to exist in. I just don't get it.
    • tizalleyman, on 05/13/2008, -1/+1Guess what...you already have a 3D world to exist in...get out there and live in it...
  • caleb4mj, on 05/11/2008, -0/+2HPV sucks
    • bfron110, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1esp. when you lose your jaw to throat and mouth cancer...
  • sh4d0w4lk3r, on 05/12/2008, -1/+2So all "internet users" are on Second Life? I don't understand...it's like everyone just pretends there are millions of people on Second Life but really nobody plays it.
  • tohealth, on 05/12/2008, -0/+0what prevents some asshole from posing as a doctor and recomending home urethra soundings? If only there were some anonymous way thats harder to fake and easier to use like say,Your medical health center--http://www.tcmtohealth.com
  • NewMediAroused, on 05/12/2008, -0/+1LOL! This is a great idea!
  • djdingo, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1From having sex with all those hookers in Liberty City, this makes perfect sense.
  •  

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