Shawn and Ron's Second Life

So I'm sitting out on the patio at Weasku Inn eating dinner Sunday night. Shawn Rogers, cofounder and executive editor for the Business Intelligence Network, was at my table - along with his cofounding partner, Ron Powell. I learned very quickly that the two of them together are sheer entertainment.

They Own a House

Shawn starts telling us about his Second Life house. About how he and Ron have a 1-bedroom Cape Cod-style home with a nice living room and bookcases. Ron tells us that he's never been there. Shawn tells Ron that he likes it that way because there is only one bedroom and the two of them are really not that close.

Shawn goes on to tell us how he wants to build out his bookcases so that guests can come in and browse through all the available publications and podcasts. Ron just looks at Shawn.

"HUH?!" Exclaims Scott

Scott Davis, president of Eyeris, is sitting at the next table and can't help but overhear the story Shawn is telling. He makes Shawn back up and explain what this Second Life is all about. Shawn explains how he bought a pair of Second Life-exclusive Nikes that showed up at his physical home. Scott responds as if Shawn is in some sort of Twilight Zone.

Shawn then tells us about one day when he got home, his neighbor, who looks like a phoenix, had parked himself in the middle of the living room. No matter what Shawn did, the neighbor would not leave. So Shawn shot him and the phoenix neighbor disintegrated went away. Shawn's other neighbor who lives next door doesn't wear clothes. Someone suggested that Shawn send him some.

They Own an Auditorium Too

Shawn and Ron also own a Pontiac, as well as an auditorium (just in case the crowds start pouring in). The problem with the auditorium, though, is that they don't have enough land to unpack it. They only have one lot and they need 10. Ron's not yet willing to pay hundreds of real dollars to unpack a make-believe auditorium.

Second Life is For Real Though

So have you heard about Second Life? I was vaguely familiar with it before Sunday night. It's an online 3D virtual world that is designed, created and owned by its residents - like Shawn and Ron (even though Ron still doesn't have the keys to get in).

Currently, there are close to 9 million residents. You can join the community for free, but if you want to start having a life and buying stuff, you'll have to start paying monthly fees. Big businesses like IBM and Nike have joined the community. You may want to check it out.

Catholics Encouraged to Get a Second Life

On Monday, news hit the wire that Second Life Loses Gamblers But Finds God. Apparently, Linden Labs, the owners of Second Life, has recently banned all gambling in this virtual world. An Italian Catholic priest, however, is encouraging Catholics to join the community so that they can stay in touch with the real world.

Huh?!