Mike Foster at Massively lays out a pretty good case for EVE.

Why do you play?

Why I Play: EVE Online | Massively
massively.joystiq.com
I haven't walked on the moon, flown a starship, or engaged in a series of humiliating and challenging physical conditioning challenges (oh, The Right Stuff, how I love thee). What I did do, however, was discover EVE Online.