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Episode details

Radio 4,09 Aug 2009,15 mins

Computer Programmers

The Tribes of Science

Available for over a year

Series in which Peter Curran visits members of the many and varied disciplines of science, from astronomy to zoology, to explore their habitat, customs, rituals and beliefs. Beneath the typecast and somewhat nerdy image of scientists, Peter finds passion, humour and, on occasion, an enviable sense of community. Peter meets the makers of the virtual world, Second Life. Are they architects, engineers or computer geeks, or highly competent people for whom one life just isn't enough? The UK headquarters of Linden Lab promotes a Californian, groovy way of working, free from old-fashioned office politics and hierarchy, but in their Second Life, the Linden tribe enjoy being treated like royalty.

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