Every time I write a post about how terrifyingly Caligulan Second Life has become I swear on a copy of Jane Eyre that I will never draw more attention to that digital Sodom, but then, some virtual Guccione manages to push the boundaries of e-taste a few more creepy, poorly lubed centimeters and I'm forced to reveal yet another disturbing facet of the virtual lives being lead by those who inhabit the Lindens' metaverse.

This time word has come in from BoingBoing of the emergence of adorable baby unicorns within Second Life. People can apparently acquire the tiny, mythological beasts as pets, much like one would keep a puppy or a kitten in the real world only these companions are digitially crafted to be the epitome of adorable -- and unlike a kitten, they only use their horns for helping you defrost your freezer and chipping ice off of your windshield on particularly cold winter days.

Where's the problem with this? So far the description has been all sunshine and lollipops, right? That's up until you realize the only way to pick up your very own virtual mini unicorn is by having sex with an adult unicorn located within the game.

Kinda ruins the moment in the same way that hearing your ice cream man was convicted of sodomizing 8 year olds ruins the flavor of those gigantic ice cream sandwiches, doesn't it?