Second Life "Jobs"

I was recently speaking with some acquaintances on Second Life; or rather, they were chatting away and I was in the background biting my tongue, in an *attempt* to stop myself from saying something mean.

Needless to say, the discussion had to do with why one person in this conversation didn't work on Second Life. Then the group started talking about their respective Second Life jobs, or desire for money on SL to buy stuff. The entire time I was thinking, "How about... get a real job?"

I do make judgment calls, and sometimes they aren't nice. But one reason why you will never make "real money" in the general "Second Life" employment field is simple. Firstly, you are depending on the value of "Lindens." Secondly, you rely on how much people are willing to pay for "virtual" goods and/or services. Guess what, it's not much.

If you want to make big money in Second Life you create an actual career. Some examples are: land purchasing and selling, big-ass stores and scripting. Or alternatively, you work for Linden Labs. Mainly, you need a college degree and capital. Otherwise don't complain about your job in SL not paying enough or how you need to meet a sugar daddy in SL. How about: get a real fucking job, it pays better than SL (which as a DJ/Host you probably are making less than the people making your clothes in Indonesia) and sometimes even has health benefits!

If you want to "work" in Second Life, that's fine and dandy. In fact, I DJ in Second Life, but I don't expect to make any "real" money...it's for fun. Lower your expectations in the realistic zone and you'll find yourself happier.


***If I've offended you because you're retired/disabled/unemployed/etc, then your real issue is not having RL money, don't blame me for not wanting to listen to your unrealistic Second Life whining. Even if that is the situation, SL will never pay your rent, sorry.

"I may be unemployed at least I have cute prim shoes"

Recently I stopped by a store that I had known since it first started years ago.

Back when it first started, this store was but a small shop that had cute items at very reasonable prices. I remember buying almost one of everything. The quality was amazing and affordable. For the sake of anonymity (or an attempt at it) I will call this store, "Store X."

I went to the current footwear area of Store X. This store has now expanded, owning its own sim and creating a MEGA store. While there I came across some cute heels. I began collecting demos of said shoes:

However, when I looked at the price of the shoes, I was shocked to find out the price. One pair of shoes costs $1175L! Yes, I repeat $1175L. XstreetSL estimates the value of $1175 L to be approximately $4.38. I don't think I've ever spent more than 400L on any pair of shoes on SL. In a situation that I did pay that much, you damn well know I was wearing those shoes constantly---in fact I think they are boots that I still wear on a weekly basis. When the price of a pair of virtual accessories looks to me like the price of a meal or the value of some actual decent stuff in REAL LIFE... the price seems to me to be obscene.

A recession is a time to cut back, go on an austerity budget... not spend almost 5 dollars on a pair of SL shoes you will only wear a lot the first few weeks you bought them and then as time goes on they will just sit in your inventory gathering virtual dust. After 3+ years on SL, I know this happens, it always does. As my dad used to say "80% of having something is WANTING it.." after you buy it...the shiny wears off.

I am still shocked at these prices. Do note: Store X does sell shoes at more of a "value"...only $975 L ($3.60) a pair! I went to one of my friend's about these overpriced shoes and explained to her my shock. Her response was, "(the price) is normal these days." What about paying almost 5 dollars on a pair of virtual shoes is "NORMAL"? I spend lots of money on SL items, but when you pay over $1000 L, you better damn well be buying a house, car, textures, HUD or other big ticket items... not shoes.

And when I thought these prices were obscene, my friend informed me, "Well, Store Z charges 2300L a pair, I won't buy those." (Store Z's name has been changed for anonymity.)

Maybe I'm the last of a dying breed who shop for a value in RL and SL. I spend lots of dollars on erroneous things, but there are limits to that. When the unemployment rate in my area is approaching 13%, other nations are experiencing budget crises and credit card rates are souring, you have to ask yourself: Did we learn anything?

Apparently not in Second Life. Well, I'll take my $4.38 and save it for something better.