In most Q&As after my documentary on virtual worlds, "Second Skin," I'm met with the same question, "Why spend time in virtual worlds?" I think it's like asking, "How can you hang out with your friends for so long?"

 

For one thing, there are few places where we are not forced to be ourselves -- the anonymity we arrive to in virtual worlds is empowering. Through it, we're able to engage others without the burden of someone recognizing us, stereotyping us, or seeing us. (Just ask celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Vin Diesel and Mila Kunis, among others, who long in like everyone else.)

 

Virtual worlds level the playing field for anyone who might experience prejudice based on looks, weight, disability, class or race. Suddenly, someone who’s had negative social experiences...