Some thoughts on the Government and Second Life

Some people have been making some interesting questions about the IRS and a Virtual World Economy. And other Government issues

Theres a whole lot of things to consider....

1. Should the Internet be considered a nation unto itsself? If it was that would solve a lot of Tax problems. I believe a better way would be to put the United Nations in charge of the Internet. The Internet is international, The United Nations is International. A perfect match.

2. If the Laws of the United States apply to A Second Life Class economy, does that mean the jobs now have to pay in Lindens, US$5.15 an hour? Will they have to Provide for a 40 hour work week? So does the person behind the Avatar count? if so then the Second Life Business or bar will have to provide for some form of Health Insurance. On top of that they will have to pay into Federal Social Security System. And Disiabilities.

3. What about people who are not United States citizens. Will they be treated like Citizens of Canada who work in the US? Have to pay Taxes twice? What if another nation says that the US has no authority in Second Life? Do we go to war? What if another nation imposes a 90% Luxery Tax on Second Life and all members of Second Life have to pay this nation? It might happen... If certain nations envoke(SP) Treaties it could well be done. What if another Nation says that United States Citizens cannot have contact with their citizens while they are in Second Life??? It could happen. What if another nation wants to Tax US Citizens as if they were foreign workers?

4. What about holidays? Britain has Boxing day and a Bank holiday. Will all of Second Life have to shut down (The businesses that is) For these holidays? What about Fourth of July? Will all businesses have to pay Overtime for people who work at Second Life Businesses?

5. What if the IRS requires Second Life businesses to provide proof of age? What about businesses who have exotic dancers? Many communities in the United States outlaw these. Does that mean citizens of certain communities in Second Life not be allowed to go near these establishments? Will the Lindens be required to card each person who enters to see if they live in one of 10,000's of thousands of communities that have banned this?

Lots of thoughts and only 2 soloutions in my opinion... Either declare the Internet a Nation unto itsself, or let the United Nations govern the internet. You can see what happens if one or a few nations want to impose their laws on the Internet.

What do you think? (MY apologies for Grammer and Spelling errors)

You don't get paid to think!

And if you did you would owe us money!

FYI... the Internet is a whole bunch of computers running software linked together by data connections spanning the globe. A nation is people. You can regulate the Internet, but you govern people. The Internet is a tool. Some people are tools.

I'd like to declare my desktop and laptop pcs as a unified but independant country. We will not join your fascist internet!

I hereby declare my servers, desktop PC, laptop, and any additional various handheld devices capable of establishing a network connection that I own as independed entities that will not take part of this supposed fascist "one internet, one nation" ideology!

Come Kris, let us establish a rival WAN and take on this monopol 'internet' entity!

*Closes her eyes and ears and refuses to read beyond this point*

Fascinating topic, Magnum!

I'm afraid I have few answers for you, but I can recommend some additional viewpoints.


My latest blog entry deals with power and SL - you could check that out if it fancied you.
Power to the People


I recommend checking out "The Great Debate" from State of Play III. Podcast of the debate can be found here.


Given Bush's stance toward "guest workers"... I mean ... illegal immegrants ... not anytime soon.

I'm hardly an expert on employment law, but I do think it all depends on how you classify the job. (full time, part time, contract, etc). I think people would get away with considering workers "contractors" and pay less than actual minimum, but as the Internet becomes more dominant, I think these questions you raise are going to become more important.


Probably it will mean more jobs overseas, like so many computer jobs are going.


Perhaps the most easy solution is to require a certain number of holidays, and let individual companies / countries / employees choose which ones.


I think we'll be seeing a more comprehensive system of identification, both online and off, in the coming 5-10 years, especially given the fear of domestic terrorism.


Again ... check out The Great Debate - that's precisely the two sides of the debate! I think you'll find it fascinating, and the panelists really were good. That was one of my favorite panels from SoP3.

the internet needs to print free moeny so all our problems will go away

Yeah, great match indeed. I hope our buddy Kofi does as good at job with the internets as he did with the Oil for Food Program.

I have enough trouble with data corruption as it is. I don't need financial corruption screwing up my network experience.



btw, the UN Security Council approved a resolution against the SL Preview Grid, which was being blamed for widespread famine across Africa. I am told action is "imminent."

The internets also need to design robots who can make everything for us and that can repair themselves so no one has to work. Come on, man. Know the plan.

Kofi Will not be around forever....

Thank you all for responding.

The fact that Kofi was ever around at all makes the UN a joke -- but that's not the only reason it is a joke.

Magnum - i'm abit late to the party with this, but please, give this article a read. This may clear afew points on your misconceptions of the net:

http://worldofends.com/