The Diaries of Molotov Alva

After almost three years since it's original release, "The Diaries of Molotov Alva" have almost entirely faded into obscurity. This short lived series (10 Episodes) managed to tap into the complex struggle between technology and the human condition in ways that no other art medium could dare approach. I'd like to share this miniseries with you, as I believe it's the first time mentioned on ATS.

I optimistically hope that these videos will spur a long desired conversation about how technology effects our consciousness. If possible, please discard any direct attacks on SecondLife as an application or as a service. You will realize that after a few short minutes that the environment is entirely trivial.

NOTE: I was unable to find all of the videos of this series. If any new links materialize, I'll update this OP.

First Episode



Episode 1: Out of His Skin
A man leaves his Petaluma, California home and enters a virtual world called Second Life as an avatar named Molotov Alva. He arrives with no possessions, not even clothing. Alva considers all that he has left behind in coming here, and concludes that when his memories of the real world eventually recede into nothingness, his old life will have disappeared.
View Episode (Youtube)

Episode 2: Molotov's Conundrum
Molotov sets out to create a life for himself in Second Life. He begins by building his own home and furnishing it with objects he discovers during his travels. However, he ultimately decides that his new home is merely a trap, one that keeps him tied to memories of the life he'd just left. Molotov eventually gets rid of his home (and everything in it) and continues on his journey.
View Episode (Vimeo)

Episode 3: The Trouble with Money
Molotov meets a hobo named Orhalla Zander, who introduces the "Five Ways of the Seeker". These include:
1. The Seeker Goes Everywhere
2. The Seeker Forever Remains In Motion
3. The Seeker Tries Everything Once
4. The Seeker Neither Earns nor Spends
5. The Seeker only Journeys with other Seekers
View Episode (None Found)

Episode 4: Some Friends He Made
Molotov attempts to make friends in Second Life. Along the way he meets the people of Caledon, a Luddite community still living in the 19th Century.
View Episode (None Found)

Episode 5: Oh The Places They Will Go
Molotov and Orhalla search for the Creator of Second Life. Their journey brings them into contact with Gorean sex slaves, Cyberpunks, and Furries. Despite these encounters, Molotov and Orhalla fail in their search.
View Episode (None Found)

Episode 6: Molotov Perplexed
Molotov decides to search for a mate and settle down. Various misadventures ensue until Molotov finally meets Abigail. They set up house together but are continually troubled by their inability to have physical intimacy. Orhalla ultimately appears with news that he’s found the Creator. Faced with the decision of either staying with Abigail or joining Orhalla, he ultimately decides to complete his unfinished journey.
View Episode (None Found)

Episode 7: Somewhere Out There
Molotov and Orhalla return to many of the locations they’d visited earlier in the documentary, yet find no sign of the Creator. Orhalla ultimately brings Molotov to the Oracle, who explains that there is no one single creator of Second Life, but that it is, instead, a world made by its users, each of whom is the Creator.
View Episode (None Found)

Episode 8: Flower Power
Having solved the riddle of the Creator, Molotov sets out to become one himself. He apprentices at various jobs, including a stint with Otis Mapplethorpe, “the Johnny Appleseed of this new world”, before setting out to make his own exotic plants. The high demand for his products attracts the attention of a large company, which crushes him with their mass produced goods. Molotov soon learns that corporations have entered this virtual world en masse and have filled it with their “brand pollution”. Molotov tries to escape to a desert island, only to find that the corporations have made it even here.
View Episode (None Found)

Episode 9: Action / Reaction
Molotov’s anger with this virtual world’s shortcomings leads him to become a “griefer”. He joins a gang and takes part in a number of attacks on other members of the virtual world until deciding that such aggression is ultimately pointless.
View Episode (None Found)

Episode 10: Molotov Alva Will Live Forever
Molotov reconnects with Abigail and they rekindle their relationship. The two even consider starting a family, but after Molotov realizes that he is immortal he abandons the thought of having children. He subsequently becomes depressed and for the first time misses his real world life. Finally, Abigail announces that she has found a way out of this virtual world and leaves. Molotov realizes that Abigail is the only real thing he’s found in this virtual world and follows after her.
View Episode (None Found)

[edit on 3-3-2010 by patmac]

[Reserving this post for anything additional]

Wow, this all seems like pretty interesting stuff! I think I'll research it furthur when I have time and if I find any links then I'll get back to you