If you haven’t yet experienced the virtual world Second Life, you owe it to yourself to invest some time in experiencing it. It’s free, fun and worlds like this will, at some point in the not-too-distant future, become one way we meet and interact online.

One frustrating aspect in-world has been the sloooow communication with others. Typing out every single thing is annoying, and like email misinterpretations, it’s more difficult to convey meaning and emotion in the written word.

A new, free, Skype-centric service has debuted called SecondTalk, allowing Second Lifers to put on a headset, go in-world and talk!

Second Talk brings free, easy to use voice chat to Second Life. Wear a Second Talk headset, and you’ll instantly know when other Second Talk users are nearby. Choose one or more to talk to, and Second Talk connects you via Skype.

This is a breakthrough on lots of levels. It will have its biggest impact, I predict, in venues like what you see above. In-world meetings, lectures, collaborations or group get-togethers will be much more enjoyable, faster and meaningful when someone can talk vs. typing everything out.

If this catches on, it may be harder for you to have your 18 year old female avatar be believable if you’re a 40 year old guy! In some ways, it may also take away from some of the quiet, immersive, and experiential qualities that sometimes feel like you’re moving through air seamlessly and weightless. A cacophony of talk might be too distracting…but only time will tell.