In fact the only difference between Second Life and your nine-to-five existence is that it all goes on in a virtual world, run on computers and accessed via the internet.
For a staggering 26 million people virtual worlds are places to explore, enjoy and relax in. Within these virtual worlds people can socialise but they can also work, selling anything from houses to land and even themselves as escort services. The virtual currency has an exchange rate value against the US dollar so money earned in these places can provide a real world income.
But in contrast with other virtual worlds Second Life is NOT a game; there are no tasks, no endgame, no objective – 300,000 'residents' simply live there, doing whatever they want, whether it be making money, art or love.
For a staggering 26 million people virtual worlds are places to explore, enjoy and relax in. Within these virtual worlds people can socialise but they can also work, selling anything from houses to land and even themselves as escort services. The virtual currency has an exchange rate value against the US dollar so money earned in these places can provide a real world income.
But in contrast with other virtual worlds Second Life is NOT a game; there are no tasks, no endgame, no objective – 300,000 'residents' simply live there, doing whatever they want, whether it be making money, art or love.
Second Lives is a series of four short documentaries that explores this cutting edge of the internet revolution. With much of the Second Life footage filmed 'live' within the world it is the very first 'virtual observational documentary'.
The series discovers what draws people to live a second life away from the prying eyes of the mainstream, and examines how virtual worlds have become a haven for zealots, outsiders, entrepreneurs and artists.
The series meets people who inhabit Second Life, from the designer of virtual clothes who met her husband in the virtual world, to the artist who plans to upload himself to live on after death, and the Buddhist who has created a virtual retreat for people suffering from depression.
The series discovers what draws people to live a second life away from the prying eyes of the mainstream, and examines how virtual worlds have become a haven for zealots, outsiders, entrepreneurs and artists.
The series meets people who inhabit Second Life, from the designer of virtual clothes who met her husband in the virtual world, to the artist who plans to upload himself to live on after death, and the Buddhist who has created a virtual retreat for people suffering from depression.