I think you raise some valid points about SL being a bit too tech-geeky. I suppose those of us who are in it already need to step away and look in the mirror (literally, as well as figuratively – we probably need some sun). One way I’ve been explaining SL (or any virtual world) to clients is that it’s akin to the Internet around 1994. What’s being developed in terms of 3-D worlds is going to become more baked into the Web as we move forward.

But more to your point – we needn’t cling to the first or most prominent virtual world of today simply out of habit. I mean, I was a Yahoo man back in 1995 and now I’m all about Google. In the name of research – and consumer interaction – we need to see what works for whom. There’s probably a good reason that Club Penguin gets 8 million hits a month…

I look forward to seeing you at Coffee with Crayon – make sure you introduce yourself and let’s continue this conversation there. If anything, it’ll raise the hackles of a few Second Lifers.