From: Lewis Nerd
Those at the top make lots of money for very little effort, and the poor sucker at the bottom of the pile have almost no hope, this far into the game's life, of ever achieving any significant wealth regardless of the effort put in, because almost all possible markets are already saturated, and are being controlled by a small group so that nobody else has a hope.
I find myself in strong disagreement with your statements frequently. I'll try and keep this reply non-personal.
Those "at the top", include all manner of people, making their money in an endless variety of ways. They include some very talented, clever, innovative residents. Contrary to your statement, successful people in SL work very very hard, that's why they're successful. Have a look at the Developer Directory. Research some of those names, investigate and visit their work, and you'll see how truly creative and professional they are. Many of them were here before currency could be converted to $US, doing it for the joy of creation, and if the Lindens all disappeared tomorrow, they'd still be here doing it for the love.
Some people must create to exist. Very often, they turn it into a profession so they can justify the enormous amount of time they put in, and because they need to make a living but don't want to take time away from creating. Often, they live the same way in RL. I've spent the last 20 years working for myself, carving a living out of things I love doing. I approach SL in the same way as RL.
I've had some insight into the work successful residents put into their businesses, and how much passion they have for their work. My first day here, I made friends with Acedia Albion (I love her style, it's totally me!), I know exactly how much time she spends online at her store, creating new garments, providing service to her customers, organising events.
When I was rebuilding Textures-R-Us, I gained enormous respect for Lillybeth Filth. She lives and breathes her textures and her store. Her store is her SL home, her textures are her art, and she works her ass off. She drove me hard, but I understood. It was very important to her.
I am in awe of even older, more successful residents. Their work frequently astounds me, and many have such vision. Take a walk in Midnight City. Visit Abbott's Aerodrome. Think of what FlipperPA has achieved with SL Boutique and more.
I don't think it's true that a new resident "has almost no hope", or that the market's saturated. You and I joined in the same month, but our outlook and our experiences seem very different. After spending 8-12 hours a day for about four months learning to build (so much still to learn!), pushing myself further with every build, I've spent the last 6 weeks constantly doing custom builds, to the point where I've had to knock back offers, and commanding a very high fee for someone so new.
I've made enough money not to have to inject any more money into SL for at least six months even if I stopped earning now. I have the backing behind me to start my next phase, set myself up exactly how I want, I only wish I didn't have to take a break for a few weeks while I move house RL, I'm dieing to get stuck into it. I haven't felt disadvantaged by being new, I haven't felt limited in any way.
To my thinking, unless financial disaster strikes LL, we're not very far into SL at all. This is early days still. Furthermore, as the population grows, the influence of the founding residents will become diluted. They'll still be amazing, they'll still be successful, but new people will create new possibilities, with their fresh talent and ideas, and by sheer weight of numbers. They'll also see SL through different eyes.
I've witnessed this cycle in real life. I have spent 20 years as part of and working in the club scene in my city. I was one of the handful of people who started the whole thing here. I am now the last man standing, there's no-one left who was there before me. For about 15 years, hard work and passion not withstanding, it was enough to just be me. Everyone knew who I was, my reputation, what I'd done. All doors were open to me.
The club scene here is now many many times bigger than it was when I first found my underage way into that world. So many generations have passed, that who I am, what my generation did, is no longer remembered except by a handful of old timers. The momentum is with the young, it's their scene now. I have to forge my reputation anew every weekend behind the decks, I can't afford to rest on my laurels. If I do, there's a hundred people standing behind me hungry for my place, with all the energy, enthusiasm and healthy disrespect for the past of youth.
The same will hold true for SL.
SL's history as only just begun, and we've only caught a glimpse of its' potential, even if that potential is realised by a successor. One day, it's history will fill so many chapters, that even you and I will be considered pioneers.
