In my many years of involvement with the Second Life platform, I would say the most common cry, the most often lamented facet of our virtual community would be that of the "High School Mentality." One cannot publically acknowledge another user without accusations of cliquishness. One cannot host a contest without the perception that it will all boil down to a popularity contest. And one cannot find enmity with another resident without our minds drifting back to those days of emotional drama, of locker rooms, of sweaty gym socks, of uncomfortable desk-chairs, and the nerve-grating sound of the high school bell.

I suppose it's no surprise that the High School era is one that brings back mostly bad memories to the Second Life demographic. For such an intelligent group of people, High School is about the only era of our lives where intelligence is a liability, and where civilized society is unable to intervene with the Darwinian principals of survival of the fittest. It's a time where girls eviscerate each other with subtle glances, a wrinkle of the nose and a well placed rumor. It's a time where boys, uh, well, beat the snot out of each other.