In the same issue as our previously-posted article, economist Edward Castronova (who has a mention here) provides some intriguing thoughts on the economy on SL, and how it might influence our changing usage of the Internet.There are a couple of other articles in that issue as well, but 'Virtual Worlds, Virtual Economies' seems to retain its relevance.
1. Once again, I'm puzzled why he isn't inworld, at least as himself, and doesn't seem to be studying fresh facts and making a deeper analysis about all kinds of issues, from the monetary policy to the land model to the problem of having all the unverified accounts and whether that works. He credits himself for helping the Lindens turn to a RL-like economy and have intellectual property, etc. but then he doesn't have anything really to say since 2003. I'm just not getting this. I don't get the feeling he likes SL or is very interested in it; it's more that the journalist has gotten him to chat about it because he's a recognized guru.
Posted at 2:24AM on Oct 2nd 2006 by Prokofy Neva