Thanks as ever for the comment. I would draw a distinction between Mirror Worlds, and more fantasy and / or game-like Virtual Worlds.

I also think that bandwidth will catch up with computer power and make using VWs a more viable experience.

On the other hand, I recall it took me a while to get used to the whole Second Life idiom, so for crumblies like me VWs could always be a touch proposition! However, for those comfortable with computer games, I think it’s a much easier ‘sell’.

For me the problem with virtual worlds is that i just don't see the point rebuilding an existing places, i can get a feel for the geography from something like google maps with sat images, maps and photos, if its to see a conference then a livestream with integrated twitter or chat is just as good, you see what i'm saying. As for meetings telepresence while expensive is fantastic.

The only creative stuff i've seen is things like where the amazon guy, built a conceptual model of the way amazon cloud services works for thinking digital where you could explorer how virtual bits and pieces connected.

I'm not saying that virtual isn't fun or doesn't have its place i just don't thing that its going to change the world. (maybe rebuild it in a virtual way).

The other good virtual stuff i've seen isn't so much a hyper real virtual world as a navigatable virtual hotel room, with interactive features – designed by the orange panda guys.