Funny, but really, there's nothing that weird going on in virtual worlds. It's just a fancier way to socialize, not that fundamentally different from IRC or HN.
Virtual worlds have the potential to matrix the population. Even right now, many people look at screens for 14 out of the 16 hours they’re awake, completely enveloped in a reality fed by AI, other than the occasional shower or food they eat while watching YouTube/Netflix. Eve Online dynamics already illustrate the beginning of all-consuming virtual worlds and how they affect people in real life.
I mean, I like the space, I work in it, and that's way, way more overblown than I'd ever say myself. We're nowhere near close to the Matrix. It's a 3D chat room with scripting capabilities. Yes, of course such spaces can be toxic, but so can be web forums.
And my experience is that so far the spaces that find users are those that give their users creative freedom. Spaces where you're restricted and fed corporate content don't go anywhere.
