First mainstream news media has a field day with big, bad virtual worlds–and now it seems television is having a go, too. Television, I loved you so. Why must you forsake me? You regained my trust by wearing through layers of crusty alternative cynicism with such excellent programming as Lost, Dexter, and The Office. Now you take Law & Order Special Victim’s Unit, my favorite guilty TV pleasure (whether they’ll admit it or not, everyone loves CSI ’cause it’s sexy in all the wrong ways), and make an episode called “Avatars”? Crime and virtual worlds… You can imagine how it goes. I’ll admit, I haven’t watched it. I hear it’s just too painful. And now apparently there’s some imminent discussion of Second Life in The Office. Okay, that’s not as bad, but why can’t TV leave well enough alone? As much as I cringe to say it, I’m sure there’s more where this is coming from…

P.S. On a largely unrelated note, Scott and I have a weekly travel blog we’ve been keeping up to let family and friends back in the States know we’re still alive here in the land of squishy cheese. If you’re interested in our real-life French-y escapades, feel free to check it out!

Update: Apparently now CSI: Miami is doing a Second Life-esque episode.  Why?  Why!?!