A bit of background might be needed: Second Life was launched in 2003, inspired by the sci-fi novel Snow Crash. The concept: allow users to unleash their creativity, to live as they want to live. Thus, their avatars can fly or teleport, and they may take any form -- or many forms -- though most avatars tend to be turbocharged physical ideals, voluptuous and lithe or muscled and super-masculine. In short, what draws many to SL is the ability to reinvent themselves, perhaps to escape or transcend their mundane "first" lives.