I wish I could understand the mind of privileged Mainland land-lords/ladies. Is it greed what drives their lust for virtual land, or is there an altruistic end of some sort? Do they believe they’re doing SL and hence its residents a favor when they grab all the good land they come across and then put it up for rent? Do they realize that maybe someone else may want or need or desire the land they hoard for their private business? Can’t they see they’re depriving other individuals the same chance of owning land as they do? If on seeing someone inspecting an available parcel, couldn’t they just ask you, out of courtesy at least, if you’re considering buying that lot instead of clicking and buying, even from far away, as in a rush, robbing you the chance to even get the funds in order to complete the process? Or is it that they don’t think other people buy land, that only they do or have the right to?
Since, in a sense, SL is no more than a game (a race for buying land in the case of business-people), are their minds powered by the same psychological (addictive) boost that “gambling” does for gamblers? Do they think SL is all about their class, them against other land barons? Or is it the action of an egotistical impulse that blocks their minds and only allow them to think of themselves? Are their social values different from the rest of us, or is it that SL twists their morals in a way that they can’t see beyond the tip of their noses? Do they believe in friendship or is it only a matter of business to them?
Are we tenants worth anything to rental services, or are we just what we are: a disposable wallet that is easy to replace with another one if it happens that we, out of disgust, go away? Is there an escape to that? Are we hopeless? Are we doomed to live under this “business model” if we want to “own” land?
Why does Linden Research, Inc. allow virtual land speculation to escalate to the point of having 512/1024 square meter plots selling for hundreds of real life money? Is it even right? Or is it that the Lab thinks all of us have the tools, abilities and skills to make our SL self-sustained? Or is it that they think their world is just for those that are capable of earning their living by such means? If so, why do they sell virtual currency with real life money in an uncontrolled economy base?
Ah well… nevermind. Sorry for having such a depressing view of SL in Christmas. Blame me for trying to figure out the way things are not from a –probably– too idealized and hence distorted point of view anyway. When things like this happen they make me wonder why I invest so much time and effort in things that end up troubling me more than they please me. Is it some kind of virtually induced nonsexual masochism? I don’t know… I think it’s me doing things the wrong way for sure.
In the pics, some of the things I’ve put in a rented parcel in Bay City that may not survive the coming of the New Year.
Veggies:
- TeddyJr – Fir tree
- Botanical – T2C Aspen Tree 3
- Happy Mood – Colored fallen leaves
- Organica – Alder 3
- Mimmi – Little Tree
- Studio Skye – Enchanted Woods v2
- Dysfuctional Designs – Vineyard Grapes
- Forest Floor – Potted Scrub Maple
- Herbalys – Bird eating (no longer available)
- floorplan – Boho ivy planter (terracotta)
Everything else:
- bbqq – Humble Abode
- Zigana – Ladder; Chime (neutral); Holiday spirit ornaments (Arcade Dec. 2013)
- Lark – Winter Bunting
- Myrrine – Christmas wall deco without planks
- Dysfunctional Designs – Holiday Tree
- Alouette – Toy Soldiers, Ho Ho Ho Decoration (Arcade Dec. 2013)
- Vespertine – Nutcracker, Starbead curtain (Arcade Dec. 2013); Reading armchair (gatcha)
- Trompe L’Oeil – Bird On A Stick (Arcade Dec. 2013)
- Tia – Watercan Twig Deco, Winter Phrase Hanger, Let It Snow Blocks (gatcha)
- Casa del Shai – Papaya Crate 2 (upside down)
- we’re closed – old ladder with poses (group gift)
- ILO – Milk Can; Garden set
- floorplan – Three apple crates; Sleigh bed (rustic); Midsummer retreat
- Botanical – Hanging Capiz Lamps
- Cheeky Pea – Autumn Fly To the Sky Bench
- lame – Woodruff Sofa (color modded)
- What Next – Pine tree wall decal; Pallet log box (sans logs)
- Pilot – Christmas Village – Sign [North Pole], Springfield (gatcha); Water Hose
- Apple Fall – His Sideboard, Jute Natural Rug (gatcha)
- TBF – Telefunken Animated Television
- Honey Apple (aka MudHoney) – Curtains (cream)
- Seven Emporium – Hanging bulb (triple)
- Art Dummy! – Wintertide (chairs and sofa)
- Warm Animations – Table with plant
- Culprit – Victorian gazebo (Neva)