Second Life - creepy or am I just old?

[WaylonJennings]

I guess I'm behind the times because I'm just finding out about this "Second Life" online gaming experience that is supposedly the hottest thing going right now.

The game is self-explanatory by the title - you get to live a second online life, purchasing dollars to spend, running a business, scoring with the ladies, etc., etc., etc. I've read a couple of articles on it and people are quoted about how in real life they can't do this but on "Second Life" they can, etc., etc. And a lot of people seem to be replacing their "real" lives with their better "virtual" ones.

Two questions:

1. Does anyone here participate?

2. Am I wrong to be creeped out by this?

 

[beanpole]

I gave it a shot. Learned to fly, wandered around. Some girl from China followed me a bit, and then I got ignored by three people when I tried to talk to them.

It was way too much like my real life, so I quit.

 

[alleyallen]

Never played this game, though I'll give it a shot when my home computer gets fixed. However, I've played the Sims religiously for a few years and you could suggest I need a life for playing so avidly a pretend life.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

I've played it before ... couldn't keep my interest.

 

[Perry White]

OK, this guy is definitely into second life a bit too much: http://online.wSportsJournalists.com/public/article/SB118670164592393622.html?mod=blog

Over the next five hours, Mr. Hoogestraat stares at the computer screen, barely aware of his physical surroundings. He adds a coffee maker and potted palms to the cafe, goes swimming through a sunken castle off his waterfront property, chats with friends at a biker clubhouse, meets a new store owner at the mall, counsels an avatar friend who had recently split up with her avatar boyfriend, and shows his wife Tenaj the coffee shop he's built.

By 4 p.m., he's been in Second Life for 10 hours, pausing only to go to the bathroom. His wrists and fingers ache from manipulating the mouse to draw logos for his virtual coffee cups. His back hurts. He feels it's worth the effort. "If I work a little harder and make it a little nicer, it's more rewarding," he says.

Sitting alone in the living room in front of the television, Mrs. Hoogestraat says she worries it will be years before her husband realizes that he's traded his real life for a pixilated fantasy existence, one that doesn't include her.

 

[expendable]

I vote creepy. Besides, it would cut into my SportsJournalists.com time.

 

[PeteyPirate]

A House That's Just Unreal:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/09/garden/09second.html?em&ex=1186891200&en=7dd41b2c1a4e476a&ei=5087%0A

Apparently, with a second life comes a second mortgage.

 

[dreunc1542]

The Communications dept at the college I attend bought an island in 2nd life. We (the journalism students) found it less than amusing that they were spending money on that **** instead of on better journalism teachers.

 

[BYH]

I liked this alternate online universe where I can make a bunch of pretend friends and the cute chicks find me funny and attractive the first time I was there. When it was called sportsjournalists.com.

 

[imjustagirl2]

I liked this alternate online universe where I can make a bunch of pretend friends and the cute chicks find me funny and attractive the first time I was there. When it was called sportsjournalists.com.

We were lying.

 

[hockeybeat]

I liked this alternate online universe where I can make a bunch of pretend friends and the cute chicks find me funny and attractive the first time I was there. When it was called sportsjournalists.com.

We were lying.

Even about the lipstick on the walls?