Written 26 June, 2007
Dragon Society
I’m unalterably opposed to elitism.
It’s just the way I am.
It’s why I never grew up to become a Republican. It’s why I would probably take to the streets with an AK-47 if someone yelled “Revolution” and fight for liberty, fraternity, equality.
That’s why, in a world where electrons are without limit, the contrived scarcity of virtual resources offends me.
I mean, copy it once, copy it a millions times, what’s the difference?
The first time I saw expensive “limited edition” jewelry, I laughed my ass off. Ditto limited edition dresses.
You think people actually fall for that bull?
Maybe they do, for there are an awful lot of people in SL living yuppie lifestyles. They live in McMansions when they could have a forested paradise, or a spaceship, or Bilbo Baggins’ hobbit house, or a pink sphere. They might buy limited edition electrons and think they are special.
The jewelry and clothing didn’t bother me, particularly, for there was other jewelry, other clothes.
The contrived scarcity of adult dragons, on the other hand, did.
I’ll be the first to say I have no idea why the manufacturer(s) at the Isle of Wyrms limit sales of adult dragons to twice a year and require one to register for a chance at an adult, and I understand and respect their right to sell to whom and when and how they wish.
But it just gets my bullshit detector running a mile a minute.
Ten miles a minute.
Twenty miles a minute.
I mean, the sales seem structured both to inject an air of mystery into dragon society and to make one feel grateful to have the chance to shell out $3500.
I reserve my opinion about dragon society in Second Life. Why? Because I know nothing of it. I’m happy and eager to find out what it’s all about. I have hopes that it’s wonderful and that the people who play dragons are wonderful.
But right now, because of what I perceive to be elitism, and because I’ve been less than impressed with the dragons (my dragon friend excepted) I’ve met to date in Second Life, I’m also skeptical.
And I must admit I’m a bit resentful because of the hoops I had to jump through to get my adult dragon. I’ll have to work to give dragon society a fair shake.
My dragon friend doesn’t feel the same way about the lottery; it’s a subject on which we have agreed to disagree. We’re able to do that.
Watch out, dragon society, here I come!
2 comments:
All that I can say is that the dragons I've met in SL have been sweet and fun to be with. Admittedly I've only met a few, but aside from that I have no reason to suppose my sample isn't representative.
I would say that gratuitously limiting the supply of something does seem silly in SL... but OTOH, that just means that others not so inclined can enter the market, so it should be self-correcting.
I'm looking forward to meeting more dragons. :)
Oh, yes, SL is capitalism in action.
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