Virtual Reality and Jumbo Shrimp

So I can't sleep which is a common theme in my life, and I'm watching television, an equally troublesome and possibly more hazardous dilemma; and I come across a documentary on the legal merits of virtual reality. Apparently this virtual reality thing has really caught on in cyber-space. Really. So I'm watching this show which is having a real dialogue about property values and rights, and even taxable stuff which are resultant to simulated world(s) in cyber space.

So me generally not the brightest bulb in the lamp, already flickering dim at "god-knows-when" in the morning, jaw gradually dropping incredulously as the Stanford University Lawyer weighs in on the merits of "virtual cyber crime" have now found myself staring at the television akin to that of a deer just before going into the "air-bag deploying" light as it were.

As if we don't have enough issues to deal with now people are scamming simulated people out of simulated products. Or are simulated people scamming simulated people out of simulated products. Its like some kind of nightmarish 70's sci-fi movie meets Dr. Seuss.

I mean... I couldn't keep up. They talked to a cyber entrepreneur who brought cyber property which is now worth some ridiculous amount of "American Dollars". The term "American Dollars" also kept popping up. Bear in mind I periodically checked to make sure that I was on the documentary channel (talk about careful what you wish for) and not comedy central.

I think the kicker for me occurred when the guy showed the simulated people walking into the simulated stock exchange. The dude was creating a simulated "stock market". Furthermore Cato here wants people to buy stock and is trying to elicit real stock markets to list on his exchange. At this point I think even Elron Hubbard is going "what the duck?" and is channel surfing to some male enhancement infomercials. Now there's a dream. I want to go on television smiling and talking about a pill that enhances my satellite reception. Yeah. Lets record that for later.

To close I would posit that virtual reality, though intriguing, and even perhaps alluring to those seeking to escape the mess that is our world; is just that an escape. To whit unfortunately when the ostrich sticks it metaphorical head in the sand to hide, the world keeps spinning, and bad stuff still happens. So I say expend the energy improving reality, then go play in the dark.