Second Life - OK, what am I missing?

I'm totally down with the escape thingy.  That part I get, even though it's not for me.  It's the spending money and buying things that don't exist that has me intrigued.  I'm trying to come up with something that doesn't exist that I can sell to people.  That's the job I want

damn........

Couple things:

A) This is not a new phenomenon.  Look at the popularity of The Sims.  Also, many online games have huge followings.

B) Second Life is really just social networking taken to the next level.

C) EBay and other sites have long had stuff for various online games up for auction.  Everything from characters, to weapons, to game money has been sold.  How's that for ya?  Buying virtual money with real money.....

Ultimately it lets people do things that they wouldn't or couldn't normally do in their real lives.   Also, as the technology increases, it expands the sense of community, and allows people to meet others that they would normally never get to do.  Hence the appeal of these types of things.

So what's your name on there?  HotBoy69?

*snerk*

While I know you're being a smart@$$ (big stretch for you, too), in all honesty, I don't use anything like Second Life, myspace, or video games.  I leave work, I don't touch the computer.  Pretty much like I'm sure you don't really feel like giving out medical advice or performing check-ups during your free time. 

You forgot to mention the prostitution. (had a thread about this several months ago)

You have now found the answer to that Great Beatles Riddle: All the lonely people, where do they all belong?

Damn! That's a funny site! "Go outside - Membership is Free" and "Fornicate using your actual genitals"

Hehehehehehe...

I love how many people here are knocking Second life without having really tried it.  I have made several friends on Second Life, networking, visiting...yes it is fun to fly around this world and yes you spend a little bit of money, if you want, to outfit your avatar and to buy other virtual things.  But it is no more or less a waste of time as spending much of your day on BT in COJ. 

It's not for everyone, don't get me wrong, just don't knock it unless you have tried it.   I have a good, real social life, but its also fun to talk to friends virtually (some of which are friends I had in real life first and some of them are just virtual friends).  To see how creative they have gotten with their avatar, or if their avatar looks like them at all.   As far as spending money on it.  Its similar to upgrading for any hobbie.  Oh and virtual sex does happen.   There are also virtual casino's, virtual shopping malls. 

devilwillride - 2007-02-23 7:29 AM I signed up for a free 2nd Life acount to see what all noise is about. After flying around for a few hours within the 2nd Life world, I just didn't get it. If I'm going to spend my time on video games, I want to blow up monsters, car jack old ladies, or other such wholesome activities.

Thing is, its not a video game...its like a giant chat room where you can meet and network with people from around the world. 

runningwoof - 2007-02-23 10:31 AM

devilwillride - 2007-02-23 7:29 AM I signed up for a free 2nd Life acount to see what all noise is about. After flying around for a few hours within the 2nd Life world, I just didn't get it. If I'm going to spend my time on video games, I want to blow up monsters, car jack old ladies, or other such wholesome activities.

Thing is, its not a video game...its like a giant chat room where you can meet and network with people from around the world.

I got that, but I still don't "get it".  Not knocking it, just not for me. 

I think someone could make a tidy sum of $$$ on that site by becoming a Race Organizer. Users wouldn't actually have to train-in-reality, they could just train and race virtually. Ego gratification without actually exerting themselves.

• Marathons!
• Triathlons!
• Second Life Ironman!

BTW, I never said they were losers. I said they were LONELY.

I have always maintained that I spend TOOOOO much time on BT. Aside from email, it's my only online vice.

That's a much better and more fair generalization.

I agree. I think it's interesting that some people automatically associate Lonely with Losers.

Actually, I was disagreeing with your generalization that people who use only sites like Second Life are lonely.  Some undoubtedly are, but to claim that even the majority are is disservice to the users.

 I disagree that it's a disservice. I think it's a disservice to pretend that it's emotionally, spiritually or mentally healthy to pay to spend countless hours engaging in pretend relationships, pay for simulated sex.  People who have rewarding relationships, who actively enrich their lives socially OR quietly do not use the internet to escape their lives for hours on end.

You see it differently; you're entitled. This is the way I see it. I'm entitled.

Okey dokey.