Some Arithmetic.

Consider the value of land measured in prim per USD.

Current value of SL land:

Mainland 76.9 prims/USD
Private 50.8
OpenSpace 50.0


Proposed 2009 land values, after final price hikes

Mainland 76.9
Private 50.8
Homestead 30.0
OpenSpace 10.0

Not even mentioning the avatar and scripting caps.

Rumormill reports that people are jumping onto nonLinden grids, which are still in early development stages. Competition fosters innovations. Perhaps some future good is seeded. But for the communities today, the blow is dire.