In my opinion, there are two things to “get” about SL. First, *many* people get it. Personally, I don’t get what they get but it’s not important. The important thing to get, if you’re technically savvy and/or artisitcally inclined, is that you can make a shitload of money from the aforementioned *many* people. How so? By creating things in SL that people want and would pay for.

So yes, the masses go for the craziest and most incomprehensible things, but the smartest people are not the ones who merely flip such trends off with pseudo-intellectual disdain (this article being a case in point), but rather the ones who know how to capitalize on it.

P.S. Side comment about the person who posted before me in 2009: good heavens some people are too dumb to even be part of the masses. May mother nature preserve them from reproduction. Read the f*cking manual dumbass.

1. I’ve tried and tried and tried over and over and over again to take my stinkin’ hat off and it just isn’t working for me.
2. How in the heck do I get from one place to another?
3. Why is nobody talking. Please just somebody tell me why.

Let’s face it people.
This game sucks

really.

really. boring.

it might be fun if you can actually hack it but as a vidya gaem it sucks.

if you’re a fat disturbing physically unattractive acne ridden mongrel then maybe second life is for you though.

live on the computer and have happy relations on it sure go ahead. literally it is like a second life, for people who i guess just dont want to go out of their way to meet people in their life.

but dude. as a video game… ._.

billions that are more fun.

Ok, not a glowing review.

But!

The artistry, beauty, creativity – yes, SL really does have that wow factor, and the interesting, talented people. There’s so much to do, but you must look carefully for it…SL is worth hanging in there for, and will be brilliant (one hopes) in 4 or 5 years.

So strange how it’s easier to find anthromorphic sex than a decent conversation in there though! (sighs!).

It’s almost a year since you posted, are you still not getting it?

For the most part, I’m with Chris–I wander around, mostly see no one–or get a cage dropped on me (arrgghhh). I did drive a Toyota and took a picture of myself. That was cool to show my little nieces. I think I’ll frame it. I also made myself 10lbs thinner than in real life which was nice (girl thing :-). However, for the most part it feels like one of those nightmares where the world has ended and you are the only one left. Of course, I haven’t visited the “paradise passion yacht” where I’m sure are regulars.

However, big opportunity in SL is distance education (and the reason I signed up for SL). I am taking a class on the SL campus of the Harvard Law School (keyword: Berkman) It is a two hour class every tuesday at 7:30 ET. There is a real life class at harvard displayed on the screen in the outdoor auditorium and the RL and SL class interact among themselves and with one another. There is a real comraderie among the SL members. Some of the avatars are hysterically funny. Many argue with the Harvard prof. Halfway through the class the RL class sees the SL class on their screens and questions are taken from the SL class. There are phenomenally smart people in this class. At the end of the class, everyone says “see you next week” The nice thing is you can tell who is there without having to chat as you recognize their avatars. A friend of mine came in and took a seat next to me. Sounds sort of silly I know, but it is pretty cool–like you would in RL. Wander over and take a look. It’s open and free to SL folks. It is also a call that you will like. Tuesday 7:30 “Internet and Society 2007″ through May. It is the best distance learning class I have ever taken.

Next time, I’ll tell you about how I almost drowned in the fountain on (abandoned) Dell island. A fountain, for chr*st sake.

With great power comes great complexity and I am sure that although the initial interface may not be as simple as some would like, it is clear that this metaverse’s power lurks just beneath this layer. And that is what makes it powerful and fun for some, and forbidding for others.

I for one was impressed at the standard tools that we are given at the start, and the notes and other helpful things found in SL can clarify what you can and cannot do. I’ve created a few Avatars that I am very proud of, I’ve taken a virtual Buddhist class, danced in a disco, shopped and made new friends. And I know that I’ve barely scratched the surface.

So this metaverse is not everyone’s bag; so what? Leave and try another that suits you and stop griping how this world will not suit you. Griping about how real life does not suit you also gets you little except being labeled as a whiner. If the latter is how you feel about SL, then your attitude should be Cartman’s “Screw you guys. I’m going home.” and then go back to your real life.

Sincerely,
PT Editorial Staff

Isador out.