"Gambling was prohibited in July 2007. Unregulated banks were banned in January 2008. The February prohibition of exploitative billboards was preceded by the debut of a... 'Department of Public Works" dedicated to "improving the experience for residents living on or visiting the... mainland."

What grim society is this, where the once proud principles of laissez faire philosophy have given way to the crushing tentacles of the state?

Why, it's Second Life, the online virtual world where thousands of people who should be using their time more effectively are now facing an increased tendency toward regulation, reports libertarian mag Reason. The powers that be are even going so far as to restructure "their universe into the communitarian society it had been in early 2003, when early residents regularly received welfare payments and public works projects to make themselves useful." Welfare, goddamn it. Ayn Rand must be rolling over in her virtual grave.

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