Cory Ondrejka, former CTO and co-founder of Linden Lab, has posted his predictions for 2009. Amongst them is a rosy outlook for growth in our virtual world.

“By shockingly good, let’s say 50% growth in concurrency and James’ measure of active users.  Why do I expect SL to rock 2009?  A few reasons.  First, world-wide recession makes SL more valuable as a source of income, cost effective collaboration tool, substitute for expensive travel, and educational resource.  Second, the same recession — combined with Lively’s demise — means competition will remain non-existent.”

Check out the rest of his predictions on his Blog, collapsing geography.