Time Out to Bitch

I get very frustrated at times because I see so much potential in this technology and Linden Labs seems so unequal to the task of exploiting it. Recently, it appears, they have begun a new policy regarding adult content. I say 'it appears' because I've had to piece this together from conversations that I've had with various people and note cards I've collected from unhappy vendors. I'm sure they would say, "well the policy was stated in..." some unclear statement on some obscure page on some obscured blog or forum. If I wanted to get clarification of the policy the chances of talking to a live human are so infinitesimally small that it would not be worth the bother. So, I have to go with what I have garnered.

Apparently, adult content is being moved to a separate area. This is a good idea. I wrote earlier about the need for zoning and this seems to be a step in that direction. And they are requiring age verification for people to visit those areas. This also seems like a good idea on the face of it. It will help ensure that minors are not exposed to adult content. But, when you think about it, the logic quickly begins to unravel.

First of all, minors have access to adult content all over the web already. So, the notion that protecting minors from exposure to these things is a red herring. Second, people who have fantasies involving adult content are the most likely to want to protect their anonymity. So, a lot of these people will be scared away by age verification. The claim is that age verification is anonymous and it may well be. But, people who are doing odd things anonymously in Second Life are not going to want to take the chance. So, this move will have a chilling effect on the red light districts of Second Life.

Some may feel this is a good thing and others may feel differently. I am not here to judge the morality of it. I am only commenting on the business strategy. A while back they banned gambling which seemed to have a serious impact on land prices. I suspect that age verification will have a similar negatvie economic impact.

I have also written in previous posts about the problem of anonymity. People who are in Second Life to conduct real business want to know who they are dealing with. This was part of the zoning discussion. So, I support user authentication.

However, the current policy, as I understand it, will require a measure of authentication from those most likely to desire anonymity and require no authentication whatsoever from those who would most likely benefit from it. So, the current policy seems to achieve exactly the opposite of what they would want to achieve.

I am reminded of a comment once made by ex president Lyndon Johnson. I believe he was talking about the UN when he said "these guys couldn't pour piss out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heel." This quote comes back with a special resonnance every time I hear about another business decision from Linden Labs.