Since I was mentioned here I shall pipe up
I did tell David H about these forums and he said he already knew. I don't remember when I told him about them...but it was at least a week or two after I signed up.
I wanted him to come here and read some of the excellent ideas that were brought up. I haven't actually asked him if Mr. Lester knows about these forums...but I don't see how he couldn't.
Now about Second Life.
Wittesea you are correct about when Mr. Lester joined up with Second Life as an employee. It was after he created the Brigadoon island and had been there for awhile.
It is completely free to join. I've been playing in Second Life for at least a year now and haven't spent a dime.
As for why "healthy adults" pay for fake land and whatnot....I don't know.