The word No. It is one of the shortest words in the English Language. Yet it seems that to Second Life residents it is a word that is almost forbidden. For those of you unfamiliar with the word no, I will give you the definition according to dictionary.com.
no
1. (a negative used to express dissent, denial, or refusal, as in response to a question or request)
2. (used to emphasize or introduce a negative statement): Not a single person came to the party, no, not a one.
3. not in any degree or manner; not at all (used with a comparative): He is no better.
4. not a (used before an adjective to convey the opposite of the adjective’s meaning): His recovery was no small miracle.
–adjective
5. not a (used before a noun to convey the opposite of the noun’s meaning): She’s no beginner on the ski slopes.
–noun
6. an utterance of the word “no.”
7. a denial or refusal: He responded with a definite no.
8. a negative vote or voter: The noes have it.
–verb (used with object)
9. to reject, refuse approval, or express disapproval of.
–verb (used without object)
10. to express disapproval.
—Idiom
11. no can do, Informal. it can’t be done.
Good, I am glad we have that covered. It seems to this writer that this word, whenever written in Second Life people (I am looking at you Bloggers) will completely freak out. And the writer asks themselves “Why? It is a word that we are quite accustomed to in the real world.” This writer believes that it is due to the seriously overdeveloped sense of entitlement that the Second Life Community has developed. When Bloggers wish to have something, they generally ask for a review copy and then they usually receive it. When a shopper wishes to buy something they go out and purchase it (or lately they talk to somebody they know who will happily copybot it for them). And for the most part, this goes smoothly and so too the days of our Second Lives.
But there is always the chance. And we’ve seen it happen time and time again. When somebody says “No” we the citizens of Second Life tend to completely freak out. We post on our blogs, our plurks, our twitter accounts, the groups in which we can, and to all our friends list about how some horrible person dared to say no to us. Why would they say no to us? Do they hate us? They must, they said no. But we deserve whatever we asked for don’t we? After all our very presence demands it. Why this must be some type of conspiracy, to be told no. It must be due to some dramatic reason for which we will blow up and tell the whole world about our plight in an attempt to obtain sympathy about our rights being violated. Does that sound about right? In fact you could end up sounding something like this:
[20:20] Rebecca [last name removed]: Greetings Store Owner , I am a DJ for Abby Rose and I am contacting you concerning possibly sponsering an event that I DJ there , I DJ twice a week and I am in search of some sponsers for the events , Abby Rose runs real traffic no bots or campers and on average its over 10,000 every day and generally 25+ attend these events , What I would be asking for is prize donations which I would promote your business during the event as well , and if you have any futher questions or you might be intrested please let me know and keep up the great creations , I look foward to hearing from you
[20:21] Store Owner: Greetings. I am not interested
[20:22] Rebecca [last name removed]: Thanks for the response I am also a long time customer of yours , so I will cease my shoping thanks again for your consideration
[20:23] Store Owner arches a brow. “You plan to cease shopping at (STORE) because I am not interested in sponsoring an event?”
[20:24] Rebecca [last name removed]: I certainly do I will not support a place that is unwilling to support me when i am offering a decent even that would require you possibly giving a item of clothing away in order to promote your business
[20:25] Store Owner laughs softly. “If you have that sort of attitude about business, thats fine. Don’t bother returning. You need to stop to consider that business owners might have personal reasons for not sponsoring events. Whether it be time, health, or family matters. Farewell, and have a nice SL.”
[20:25] Rebecca [last name removed]: I have certainly sent many to your business , as well I have spent a fair ammount of the years Ive been in second life , My main avatar I owned near everything you made
[20:25] Store Owner: I apprecaite the business. But you cannot expect everyone to be open to sponsoring things.
[20:27] Rebecca [last name removed]: No worry’s your smartness No worry’s I will let others know as well the attitude toward this and I certainly will not sent anymore business to you have a great day , It requires no effort on your part other than to donate a item from your store very simple not complicated at all but you have a great time and perhaps you should learn business as well this was a very nice offer to you and with myself being a customer of yours , you perhaps should consider supporting your customers for return business
[20:27] Rebecca [last name removed]: Have a wonderful evening and again thank you for your consideration however short it might have been
[20:28] Store Owner: Badgering someone when they decline an offer is certainly not a valid business ethic. This conversation is over.
Well this writer is going to clue you in on what you’re entitled to in the real world and in Second Life. Absolutely nothing. People are going to tell you No. They are going to refuse your requests, demands, pleas, and everything else you can think of. Why? Could be for any number of reasons. But in the end, you are entitled to absolutely nothing. If you think otherwise there is an elementary school wondering where you went. So let’s break this down shall we?
Bloggers: You are not entitled to free shit. You may ask for it, and it may be given. But don’t start crying if somebody says no.
Promoters: You are also not entitled to have stores jump all over themselves to sponsor you.
Store Owners: You are not entitled to have your shit blogged. If you make something and it’s not puked over every feed immediately well shit happens. Get over it.
Artist’s Voice: While you are entitled to your opinion (everybody is) you are not entitled to pull bullshit witch hunts anytime a person says “No” to you. Acting otherwise makes you appear to be the most retarded street gang ever.
Second Life Residents: Learn the word no. Use the word no. It’s a great word. It’s simple so I am pretty sure most of you won’t misspell it. Say no to things you do not like. Maybe if more people in Second Life did this then everybody would have their grown up pants on and Second Life would be a better place.