January 28, 2007

Who's Got the Time?

Inc. magazine's latest cover heralds "the coolest new marketplace in the world." And it's Second Life.

I have a friend who has become engaged - no, I should say "engulfed" (and inevitably to be "engorged") by Second Life.

My question is, who has the time? And, by dedicating time to Second Life, what are they taking that time from? Their 'first life'? Hey, which is more important?

Am I the only one who can't find enough hours in the day? Stretch, plan, multi-task, get up even earlier, go to bed even later, discipline, discipline, discipline...whatever...and there's still not enough time. Are all Second Lifers slackers? No! I know my friend isn't. She's brilliant. But where is she stealing the time from?

Meanwhile, one entrepreneur - who calls himself Rathe Underthorn - has created an ad agency selling ads on Second Life to Second Life 'companies.' (So far, selling ads to 'real world' advertisers is not permitted by Linden Labs, the creator of Second Life. Underthorn reports that his ads have topped 1.2 million impressions already, and they're working. His revenue is in the range of around $400-$500, so he needs to keep his day job. But he reports that some of the Second Life company advertisers are earning as much as $60,000 a year. [Where do they find the time?!]

Could the time come when one can earn more in a 'second' life than a 'first'? Will virtuality replace the real thing? Or will they become fully integrated....and we'll see advertising on Second Life for virtual and real companies. Will we be able to tell the difference? Will there be one?