Who matters now?

Rosedale's virtual world Second Life began as a curiosity four years ago, but today it hosts nearly two million active "residents" and a virtual economy where more than $1.5 million in digital goods and services are traded every day. Brand names like American Apparel, Circuit City, IBM, and BMW have set up virtual shops to market to the young, affluent technoconsumers who inhabit Second Life.

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Tell us who you think matters now -- and why