I don’t get Second Life at all.
Wait. That’s not entirely true. I get what it is. I even have a basic understand of how it works. But the educational and entertainment value aren’t clear to me. (And don’t get me started on the so-called revenue potential … I’m trying my best to keep business discussions out of this blog).
Sure, it’s fun to fly around a pixel paradise bedecked in the fanciest threads Linden bucks can buy, but what is it that keeps regulars coming back? It certainly can’t be the interface — it’s basically VRML with more polygons — and I doubt it satisfies a primal urge to congregate. My own experiences in Second Life locales often feel like strolls through post-attack Caprica City.
So, what gives? What is it about Second Life that keeps people glued to virtual landscapes and digital identities?
More importantly — are there any legitimate educational goals that can be met through Second Life? I’m not trying to be a smart ass here. I truly want to know.
Photo (c) Linden Research Inc.
