[Appologies for repeated thread comments in advance]

Keen observations. I think that a lot of the reason for the problems with the big builds in Second Life is that investors in the grid are not thinking about the reasons for doing it. What is the result of producing a magnificent campus or corporate presence? Why a multiplex when an email address will suffice? It seems to me that most of the problems of economy are due to unrealistic expectations of scaling (if an innovation can expand with demand). Clearly, most of the multi $ builds are for PR. These offer the user little, so why should they be populated? What is the appeal to the ‘consumer’? If an organisation wants to apply a business model to second life they will have to rethink their client base; the typical user of Second Life is not a passive consumer. They are an explorer, an adventurer, and an asset to think tanks. As early adopters of a new technology, we should not underestimate the user, because that user is us. At blame for this third-wave of doubt are those who seek to quantify this world; those who are looking to exploit virtual worlds for what they can yield - in units sold, in page hits, in visitors to a sim. For me, virtual environments are not a platform for exploitation, they are an extension of our homeland, and we should navigate that new world just like any other virgin territory, with respect for the land and those who occupy it. I believe when the time is right the people will come. The technology will not prevent this, then the market is led by demand, and the innovation that allows this will follow that demand, and yes that demand may be whipped-up by the ‘suits’ and the public relations teams but ultimately it’s because of the community of people who care enough engage with each other in a meaningful way. If it is not Second Life it’ll be another technology but the people are coming and the markets should be prepared for them. As Linden Lab claim in their ‘About Second Life’ screen “Viva la Liberación!”

Milton Broome – SL-Labs