There is a game within the machine and it is called Tiny Empires.  It is something I enjoy and have played for a very long time.  It is not until recently, I realize the control the machine has on me.  Tiny Empires is a medieval game played within the Second Life virtual world.  The objective is to gain subjects and also to gain gold and land. This gives you rank as you increase your inventory.  This is all being played when you wear a HUD that you can purchase also inside this Second Life world.  What makes this game so intense is the fact that you must answer the prompt every 3 minutes.  You are committed to being part of the machine every 3 minutes!  And not just you, but all of the many players at the same time!  Isn’t that fascinating?  I cannot go to bathroom, eat, or get the telephone.  Nothing can be done at that 3 minute inetrval.  This is very disturbing if you think about it.  And what makes this so addicting is, you know to yourself if you log out, others will be gaining and you will not be having the same opportunity to advance.  So, the machine makes you feel guilty and then also sad.  And no matter how well you are doing in Tiny Empires, there is many more dong better than you. Even though there is this anxiety about it, I still feel I must play.  It is going through my mind right now if Tiny Empires as being part of he machine, is a good thing or an evil thing…to me and to others.