Second Life: I Have 4 Dollars
November 16th, 2006
I logged into Second Life for the second time today, in order to solve my primary problem in this virtual world, which is I have no money. I do have another problem; I still don’t understand this virtual world or how it operates, but I’m hoping that my attempt to solve the first problem will in turn help solve the second.
Luckilly, last time I figured out the search and teleport feature. So I started out by searching for “money” and wound up at a location called Mr. Lee’s Camp Spot, or something to that effect. In it was a large Nintendo, a skee-ball ramp, and several people sitting on stumps around a huge campfire covered with multi-colored lights suspended in mid-air. Little text boxes appeared over some of the individuals, announcing things like: “Earned $4 Linden Dollars.” Aha, free money.
I made my way over to the digital commune and sat on a stump. It seemed like everyone was talking to a blocky, semi-textured pink pig. Nobody, neither the people or the pig said much to me, execpt a joke about a bus. For some reason, I got $1.
An advertisement from a Second Life newspaper.
On my way out of the campsite, I spied a magazine stand, from which I downloaded a PDF of a free Second Life newspaper, the Metaverse Messenger. Admittedly, it’s a rather tossed-together clip-arty kind of thing you might find at a community college, but since it describes an alien parallel universe, it’s strangely fascinating.
I’m learning there are tons of businesses set up in Second Life, by individuals, that cater to all the denizens there. This seems like a great opportunity for a first mover advantage. Also, if you’re having a hard time being a fashion designer in your first life, what better way to find a new market than in Second Life where there’s less competition?
Hairstyles for sale.
An unfortunate side effect of this virtual business economy is advertising (if advertising annoys you in the real world, the Second Life world might be hell). A saunter through Second Life is not unlike coasting through some strange mall, advertising unfamiliar brands and items, such as plant-like chairs topped by candles or an outfit that makes your avatar resemble a burning icicle.
Anyhow, back to my quest for cash. After the campfire pow-wow, I found several slot machines, and proceeded to figure out how to put my lonely dollar in. After a bit of back and forth, the interface made sense, and I shuffled back and forth between winning $3 and losing $1. I ended up with a whopping $4 to my name, plus is was kind of fun. Suddenly one form of Second Life became clear to me: gambling for virtual dollars.
I suddenly was struck by an odd feeling. Second Life is sort of like Las Vegas, where coincidentally we’re going next week. Kitchy ads, gambling, sex shops, wacky hairdos, and lots of opportunities to blow your hard-earned cash. Except of course, you can teleport and fly, and there’s that talking bitmapped pig.
I quickly quit the program before I lost my hard earned $4 to the ether.
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I’ve never been to Second Life (and honestly don’t have the time to devote to an alter ego), but it does sound fascinating. Thanks for posting your impressions.
It kinda sounds like it resembles that Futurama episode where the crew enters the Internet.
tunequestor – yeah I don’t have much time for second life either, but I’m doing the cheap / tourist route just to get a feel for it. So far it’s been pretty amusing. I’ll have to post some touristy pictures in a future post.
virtual poverty in Second Life…
I quipped to Steve that being a newbie with a free basic Second Life is a bit like being virtually homeless – you have no money and no place to stay, you don’t know anyone and all you can do…
virtual poverty in Second Life…
I quipped to Steve that being a newbie with a free basic Second Life is a bit like being virtually homeless – you have no money and no place to stay, you don't know anyone and all you can do…
Science Library… yeah that’s exactly how I feel right now. Maybe I should make a virtual sign that asks for money?
You put it so well.
I also spent six hours investigating all corners of this world yesterday, and had some similar impressions.
I’ve spent the past two hours reading blogs via technorati (how I found yours) and googling.
Other impressions:
It’s as good as your destination, and the time spent time asking people for the best spots paid off.
It’s exhilarating to fly.
I of course checked out sex clubs and a nudist beach, which along with gambling and porn accounts for much of it, and there’s a deserted strip mall feeling to much of the rest. But all of this, I can see, is avoidable. Years ago I taught Engrish in Tokyo and as a broke and disoriented gaijin newcomer I saw Japanese trash culture everywhere I looked, unless I stumbled across a special, half-hidden place. By the end of my stay, the beautiful and interesting places were where I spent most of my time outside of work.
Conversations were hit and miss. Most were like half-scary bus station banter, but others, in a tower in the Myst-like settings of “Svarga” and “Apollo” and the virtual bookstore “Shakespeare and Co.” were as good as they get while tapping keys.
All in all, I’m impressed. The coding and chat technology will get better. I think it can add rather than subtract from a life.
Hey Vlajero, that’s cool. I haven’t logged back in since this last experience. When I heard about this worm I thought I would log in this week… I’ll probably do so tomorrow.
I should search for some of those places you mention. Thanks for the input.
[...] Anyhow, as I type this, my avatar is sitting on a stump before a virtual campfire (documented in my previous post), accumulating a handful of Linden dollars, which I will then take to a casino, in order to make the dream of home ownership come true. Yes, it’s kind of sad, and I have absolutely no idea why I’m doing this. But I may have to think about my reasons soon, before I get hooked on this thing. [...]
I’m new to Second Life but I’m having a blast. I don’t have any money, but I’m not sure what I would need it for. My best advice from my short experience so far is to be really friendly to people. Walk around and comment on their great clothes or dance moves. Some people have been kind enough to give me copies of the things I compliment them on, and even offer “friendship”, which makes it a less lonely place.
thtsmust be really cool………i have heard of it…
. A saunter through Second Life is not unlike coasting through some strange mall, advertising unfamiliar brands and items, such as plant-like chairs topped by candles or an outfit that makes your avatar resemble a burning icicle