In case you go into Mixed Realities withdrawal, Emory University is hosting Virtual Worlds and New Realities in Commerce, Politics, and Society on February 11, 2008; 8:30 am - 4:00 pm :: Goizueta Business School (GBS) Auditorium, 1300 Clifton Road, Atlanta [GBS].

Virtual Worlds and New Realities is public forum to discuss both research and long-term implications of virtual and real-world interactions with regard to commerce, politics, and society. The four panels to be held are: 1. Evolution of Virtual Worlds 2. Emerging Virtual Institutions both in Business and Politics 3. Mirrored Influence of Virtual and Real-World Elements 4. Possible Futures of Virtual Worlds and Society.

According to Robert Bloomfield, the last panel will be broadcast live into Second Life and on Second Life Cable Network as part of the Metanomics weekly interview series. “To spark discussion on the panels, the conference organizers have asked me to distribute the following survey links. Even if you are not going to attend the conference, we would love to have your responses to the key questions, which address research questions, research methods, collaboration opportunities, and “commercial, social and political possibilities.” The link to the survey is here.