A Day in the Second Life of an Avatar

Image copyright 2007, Linden Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Millions of Americans are spending their money, meeting new people, getting advice, and living their dream life through a virtual world called Second Life.

Today's installment describes a day in the life of an avatar.

It's like discovering a secret world.

The virtual denizens of Second Life, lead rich, full lives online. Their avatars meet and talk to others, buy and sell clothing, and real estate, take airline flights, and even go to night clubs, and parties.

"The parties are unbelievable, and it was just amazing to me, just the concept that people are hopping to various virtual New Year's parties," said John Jacobs who has an avatar in Second Life.

Andrew Hughes with Designign Digitally talked to FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR's Jay Lawrence.

"You actually with your keyboard and your mouse you are able to control the walk," Hughes said. "They're able to fly, their able to put on different types of actions, to where if you want them to walk a certain way. You can make it as unique as you want using the programming scripting language and some actions that they have pre-made in Second Life."

He said the attraction to many is being able to live large - even if it's in a cyber world.

"Being someone that we might not possibly be able to be in our real life. A lot of us maybe want to be professional football players or have the cool car and just aren't able to make ends meet or didn't have the physical attributes needed to be able to live that lifestyle that they dream of," Hughes said.

John Jacobs' avatar, Neverdie, is a rock star in second life.

He wrote the song as a tribute to his gamer chick girlfriend who died in the real world, and was remembered with a funeral service that drew hundreds of empathetic avatar mourners.

Her avatar, like the name of her fiancee's, will never die in second life.