You are right Bull and I could not believe people would spend on it either. I won’t tell you the number of hours I have spent in SL because you would freak. Let’s just say I was up at 4am for a Art show opening the other week and 3 am for the party yesterday (dam these European and US people). It is very addictive and the fact that there is so much you can do so much for very little cash is attractive to me. Also becasue I live in a remote area makes it more attractive. I am hooked and it as much as I am hooked on the Tigers
I am not sure how many times I could have got to the pub for my $50 but it would not have been many. Spent more than that to take my family to the pub to watch the Geelong game and what a waste that was
Just to shock you even further I will give you a idea of the money some people will spend. The lady who owns the island that I have my Gallery/House on pays US$295 a month for the use of it. She can rent out parts or all of it if she wants. She started off renting some of it but she is not short of a quid and now charges NO rent to all 10 or so residents. Now that doesn’t count anything she spends on putting stuff on the Island, like the hangliders, submarines, galleries, waterfalls etc, or the initial $1600US it cost her in the for the island in the first place.
Now that spending!.
She has fallen in love with the people and the Art these people create or bring to SL. It is her passion and she can afford it so why not. No sex (well I don't think so), no other motives but the enjoyment she gets from it and the people. She is a very intelligent woman, a talented artist and a software expert.
Puts my $50 for thee months to shame.
She is not the norm as you can do most things for very little or no cash. I created a second avatar yesterday and had it fully dressed and up and running in an hour and about L$50 (about 20 cents). That avatar can do everything the Island owner can do except own virtual land. Not bad value I think.
Anyway would love to see you in there to try it. If you can get thought the first few days of learning (which many don’t) I am sure you would see why people spend so much of the First life in Second Life.