Do people not understand how economies work?

It's simple math really: for 512M as a lifetime member, (9.95) you have to pay $5 US per month for 512M. As Premier annual member, you get that included ($60 value) PLUS 52 weeks of a 500 stipend. (26K lindens equals $102.70 US value at current trading.)

162.70...easy. Great value. Thank you Linden Labs

Yes it is great value Given the choice between renting 512m2 (on basic)of land off of another resident or plumping for LL premium account, I would always advise the later of the 2.

But most who rent also go for the premium account, and that being the case (and i think this is the case for most if not all private estate landlords) the tier and rent are equal. Yes in the case you have given, you made the best choice

Now it is my turn to ask for clarification...How is the rent and tier equal and to what are they equal?

Well say for example a resident wants to own 8192m2 of Linden Lab land. They will have to pay US$40 a month to LL. If someone wants to rent a deeded plot on a zoned private estate of equal size, they also have to pay US$40 (am speaking for myself but am sure most others are the same), tho this time to the owner of the sim.

This is one example of course, and there are many tiers, but all of them match up to the rental fee.

No, I am not. I am growing one part of Second Life and earn money to buy RL food for several people. If there wouldn't be financial incentive I could never afford put so much time and energy in what I am doing. I find your statements (and similar ones posted by others before) rather discriminating. I guess in your book somebody who sells candy in Disneyland is also playing?

That's a bit extreme, isn't it Anshe? Someone in Disneyland selling candy is working for Disney. They are not making money beyond their paycheck that is given to them by Disney. Unless they are being dishonest and charging a bit more then other vendors and pocketing the difference. Providing it's an honest Candy seller, there really is no comparison.

I don't understand why you are feeling a need to defend yourself...I am not attacking you or anyone, that's not my style.

I completely understand your statement that you couldn't afford to put so much time and energy into the game if you weren't making money. You'd have a day job or something, and your time in SL would be limited, like many of us, myself included. But you don't, you make good money in SL and it allows you to play the game. Afterall, Second Life is whatever YOU make it, and you've made it a business. Good for you...I really do admire that you found it and made it work for you, and shaped into the game you want to play here.

Who knows...maybe this is just the beginning of Virtual Reality and we'll soon be "goggled in"...if so, you are way ahead of the GAME. I realize there are real people behind the avatars, and that's what makes this game my favorite. Landbarons, club owners, orgy houses, small bars, parks, stores, the creativity is endless.

This is true Hiro.

I can only speak from my own viewpoint, developed from my own experience and those shared with me by other players...so I'll add just one more thing to the benefit is that Linden Labs doesn't bite you if you disagree with them.

I only bite if it's requested

How true. And amazing, given the amount of acid thrown at them from time to time. It gives one great hope for the future of SL.