Yesterday Philip Rosedale came to give a talk about Second Life. Second Life is one of the most compelling virtual world "games" available. I enjoyed his enthusiasm and the fact that this guy has literally made his dream come true. Very inspiring.
I've dabbled in this space in the past. I helped create one of the first VRML environments. The "IUMA Lounge" in 1994. I also produced the first webcast from Burning Man in 1996 which included a virtual version of Burning Man using The Palace. But that was enough... even though I always felt the draw.
Talk about a time suck. These things are so engrossing that some people spend more than 80 hours a week "living" in the virtual world. They create relationships, living spaces, and commerce. Second Life allows you to make and sell goods, property, and anything else, using the currency "Linden Dollars" which trades against the real dollar. Randy Farmer said that he made and sold "fairies" in the Second Life environment. He actually took home real money from making and selling a virtual product in a virtual environment. There is one woman who makes over $150 thousand real American dollars a year buying and selling property inside the Second Life environment. Fascinating. (How long until a Starbucks shows up?)
I can't do it. Oh I've checked it out and have dabbled inside these things and have been extremely intrigued by them... but... It's like drugs for me. The reason why I've never taken drugs is that I'm afraid I'll get lost in them. I'll go insane. My imagination is too out of control as it is, and if I start taking drugs I think I might go over the edge and never come back. Same with this. If start "using" a virtual world, I may never come back. It seems way too easy to get lost.
Plus I spend enough time in front of a monitor as it is...
I'm glad this exists though. It's an incredible social experiment. Probably one of the most profound ever developed. The possibilities are limitless, that's what scares me.
