It's being presented as a reverse for Second Life, that virtual agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation are examining the virtual world's virtual gambling dens. But look more carefully. Second Life's architects, at Benchmark-backed Linden Lab, invited in the FBI on several occasions; and they're the ones behind this latest news. It's not like the Bureau could be bothered to call a press conference. Fact is that this counts as good publicity for the over-hyped and under-whelming 3D environment. Any controversy, over illegal gambling or copyright infringement, creates the impression that Second Life is a vibrant alternative society, and economy. Which it's not. The FBI probably isn't making an issue out of virtual-world gambling, because the casinos are so empty (see picture). There are more convenient ways to gamble online. For Linden Lab, better a synthetic scandal, tailormade for the press, than the depressingly bare reality.
