Tivo Alert!! ABC News Looks at Second Life's Role in the 2008 Presidential Race

October 17, 2007 -
The Electric Sheep Company reports that this evening's edition of the ABC World News Tonight is expected to cover Second Life in relation to U.S. presidential candidates.

The ESC blog's author, Giff Constable, whose SL avatar is "Forseti Svarog", writes:
Yours truly helped the reporter tour around [Second Life]. (Of course, with these things you never quite know - the last ABC News piece I was in had a huge delay before showing up only online - I guess it depends on whether there is a world crisis on Wednesday.)

...I think most candidates have been scared away from Second Life, but would be better served if they had more of an official presence and in doing so approached this new medium in a savvy way.

I am curious to see how this piece turned out.

Comments

Submitted by Raziel3024 (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 11:54.
Huh, that's different.

Submitted by WarOtter (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 12:00.
I guess because I don't give a rat's behind about Second Life, I don't understand how people think this is an important platform for politics. To me it just makes it seem like politics, and politicians, have become just as virtual and fake as life simulation games. Oh well. I'd rather take on all the presidential candidates in an old school Doom deathmatch on e2m1.

Submitted by BlackIce, Leftie (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 12:02.
@WarOtter

That's an idea actually.. Would you settle for MoH: Airborne?

Submitted by xzero87 (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 12:07.
"…I think most candidates have been scared away from Second Life"

Personally, I would bet more on just not caring or knowing. (I'm also one of the "don't play it, don't see the relevance" crowd)

Submitted by Socialist Gamer (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 12:13.
I really don't see why it matters. So what, the politicians are trying to appeal to the young "hip" crowd by playing games? Well, then try playing a real game. When a politician challenges me a nice game of GunZ and helps me do a little "Cash Shop Player" hunting, then I'll vote for them based on their gaming coolness.
'Till then, I'll continue to actually vote on what their platform and voting histories say.

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 12:22.
How many people play second life? How many of those are US citizens? How many of those are 18 or older? How many of those will actually vote?

Those are the questions that presidential hopefuls ask when it comes to Second Life. After answering all those questions the final result is around 2. Just a rough estimate. ;)

E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower

Submitted by BlackIce, Leftie (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 12:30.
Game, set and match to the young E.ZK

Submitted by jds on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 12:49.
I've never played Second Life, my first life is way too important to live another one online.

However, I think the demographic for it is a little more mature than the average action game; based solely on my exposure to the game and it's advertising/marketing.

I do think it is unique that they are reaching out with it, though. At least they are trying. I'd rather see them be truthful more often than to see them accessing online game realms, but they gotta reach for the hipsters somehow...

Those darn hipsters and their second life.
. . Wisdom begins in wonder. - Socrates . .

Submitted by Dog_Welder (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 13:32.
I'm beginning to think the only people in Second Life are:

1) Politicians
2) Sex fetishists
3) People doing stories about politicians and sex fetishists.

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 13:48.
@ Dog_Welder

I don't think you are far off.

E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower

Submitted by BlackIce, Leftie (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 14:32.
Actually they're Reporters and Academics.. Yeah, Sex addicts and Politicians.. And possibly Dennis, but he doesn't fit into either class.

Submitted by GameClucks (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 14:49.
DogWelder:

Don't forget B-tards and SA Goon griefers there to get lulz off the politicians, sex fetishists, and "journalists"

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 16:05.
Count on the PN's, people. If they still are around anyway.

Submitted by Wookiee (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 19:32.
Break out the digital rotten eggs and flying peckers!

Submitted by Overcast (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 19:32.
Not sure most people who play Second Life hardcore are worried about 'First Life' enough to vote, heh

Submitted by StupidPuppy (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 19:41.
Second Life is an exciting new way for politicians to waste money by trying to appeal to hip, trendy youth that don't vote -- by setting up shop in a deserted cyberworld. Everybody wins.

Submitted by Nekowolf (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 21:42.
Woah, now...The game actually has a "role"? Noooo way! When did this happen? XD

Submitted by Be a Good Daughter (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2007 - 23:21.
Great message.
I hope you'll check out my diary..
Sayonara

Submitted by InJM (not verified) on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 05:08.
My prediction? Little to no effect!

Submitted by Truthiness Advocate (not verified) on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 09:00.
Looks like the piece got bumped, because Stephen Colbert announced he's running for President. Truly an earth-shaking development. The piece was dreadful; do they even GET that it's a joke? Even when their bubble gets busted, the DC establishment have no idea it's been pierced. It's reporting from the irony-impaired.

Submitted by Shaesyco (not verified) on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 13:34.
Second Life is just a combo of The Sims and Myspace( Facebook or any other social networking site.)
 
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