With regards to the "waa waa waa RMT", I'm pretty sure RMT are more focused on MMO's with a larger player base.

Second, I believe in the golden law of equal trade. You put in the effort, you should get something. Life isn't random. If you go to college, you are better off than someone that didn't. If you show up to work on time and DO work, you will get your salary at the end of the month. If you work out, you will look, feel and be better. If you put 10,000 hours into anything you will reach "genius" status at it. You put time and effort into something, you will get something out of it. (i really hope this is clear to all you warped generation Z and Next kiddies!)

They said a long time ago FFXI's community would replicate and be based on real social economics.
The only example from RL that I can think of that is in anyway relevant to VW is smoking; smoke - maybe you will get cancer, heart disease, upper respiratory problems, maybe you won't.