This struck me as curious: 'If i stick with SL i need a better reason than just having fun' - so SL is required to be more than fun? Is that due to the economic climate and that people don't feel they can ever stop struggling? It makes it hard for a little place to fulfill everyone's needs.

Although a few people do make huge sums of money and many others make pocket change, the value of SL to the bulk of the customers is that they are able to indulge their interest in fashion, art, role play, etc. for pennies. People whose lives may, temporarily or permanently, have financial, physical, social, or other limitations are able to cast those off whilst in SL. Are there people for whom the time would be best spent improving their reality? Yes, but not everyone. For many it isn't an alternative but a substitute for that which is unavailable. For others it's cheap recreation.