The U.S. economy may be in the dumps, but you can find solace in the fact that your Second Life avatar is living the life of the 1%. But what if the virtual economies of video games could be transferred to the real world? We're actually already seeing this in Diablo 3, where axes, swords, and other awesome gear have taken on real world value at the Diablo 3 Auction House. People are buying and selling them with real US dollar bills!!!!!! The idea that a collection of pixels can be sold for actual money might be confusing to some, as they are neither true "objects" you can hold nor "ideas" that can be considered intellectual property. But despite the lack of tangibility, real world economies have formed around these games and real world profits are being made. Let us know what sorts of crazy ideas you have, about this episode and otherwise: Tweet at us! @pbsideachannel (yes, the longest twitter username ever) Email us! pbsideachannel [at] gmail [dot] com Hosted by Mike Rugnetta (@mikerugnetta) Made by Kornhaber Brown (http://www.kornhaberbrown.com/) Music: Roglok http://vimeo.com/musicstore/track/21169 EatMe http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/348390/eatme Diablo 3 Soundtrack - Overture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy31Kwd0gxI Derezzed 8bit http://soundcloud.com/toms94/derezzed-8bit Angry Video Game Nerd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYDuy7wM8Gk Toast Patent: http://www.google.com/patents/US6080436 $32,000 Golf Clubs: http://www.gorillagolfblog.com/equipment-2/money-no-object-the-most-expensive-golf-equipment-available/ Want some more Idea Channel? Here's last week's episode: "Is Facebook Changing Our Identity?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRiGZJQZ_X4 Want another one? Here ya go: "Is Homestuck the Ulysses of the Internet?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLK7RI_HW-E You want more? Check this one out: "Is William Gibson A Modern Day Oracle?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWeWBnRwjnw