What is Second Life about and how could I get there?

Answer 1

If you've ever played an online multiplayer game (such as EverQuest or City of Heroes), it's similar in that you get to create a person [called an avatar] to move around the world. You get to decide this person's name, appearance (they don't even have to be human), clothing/apparel, etc.

However, there is no real "game" to play. It is instead like a virtual playworld.

The developers have shared their knowledge of the code, so that people can learn how to make items that actually do things (cars, clothes, jewelry, buildings, roller coasters, whatever you'd like), or learn how to write script that makes things happen in the world.

People can actually craft their own things and sell them to other players for in-game money that can be traded for REAL money. (So you can actually make real money in SL.)

Many people use Second Life to hang out, to meet people, to get together in groups (such as hobby groups or support groups), and so on. Some players have become romantically involved inside the game; and then sometimes even get together in real life.

Artists could build their own virtual art galleries; musicians actually give "live" concerts (people show up in-game, where the musician's avatar is, and the musician is actually in his room somewhere, performing live music through the Internet into the gameworld.

It's very much a virtual playground and good way to meet people with similar interests.

Answer 2

Second Life is a simulated world where you can control an avatar of yourself and do all the things you can't do in real life. In second life I am a great dancer, real life I have 2 left feet. Try it!