Life or Something Like It

When the word cyberspace first appeared, it sounded like some kind of groovy digital fourth dimension where you could fly around and build underwater castles and floating fortresses with eyeballs for windows. Of course, it's not really like that--but it's getting there. Second Life secondlife.com is a 3-D online world where you can do whatever you want, build whatever you want and be whoever you want. It's the Matrix minus the evil machines. Unlike other online worlds, such as the Sims Online, Second Life isn't a game you win or lose. The only rules are the rules of physics--and even they can be bent. (There's also a full working economy, so the laws of the marketplace apply.) Some areas of Second Life are zoned for combat or dancing, but most are just for hanging out with other virtual citizens. The software is free, but Second Life charges a monthly subscription fee of $14.95. Not bad considering the price of real estate these days. --By Lev Grossman