BlogHer ‘07 SL: Candidates in SL - Good, Bad, Indifferent?

I just needed to attend this one. Some short notes I took:

Panel members:

Padlurowncanoe Dibou (Runs the Hilary 08 campaign in Second Life)
Sarah Granger (Avatar name: Sairy Baily)

Republicans just less tech savvy?

Do you have any information on the demographics spread on the political spectrum in second life?

Padlurowncanoe Dibou: We do not have actual demographics, but it’s being brought to my attention, that news organisations, after research they feel that the democrats have a stronger precense in Second Life and they wonder why. The only thing I can point to is that typically democrats are a progressive group of people, more open to technology and the future of technology then more conservative people.

Sarah Granger thinks there is also an urban vs. rural thing in that respect. A more active use of technology in urban areas is common.

Senator Clinton in Second Life?

Would Senator Hilary Clinton considerate speeching/discussing in Second Life?

Padlurowncanoe Dibou: No, as the candidates didn’t even want to come to BlogHer (except for Elisabeth Edwards). Their time is worth so much (campaign management, fundraising), you can’t expect them to get involved immediately. I wouldn’t say it’s out of the question, but I don’t think it’s likely they will be able to do that somewhere soon.

Sarah Granger: The only advantage at the moment - as they won’t reach a lot of avatars, we all know the sim limits - would by the media attention.

Camping spots and freebies?

Of course I had to ask this question: What about using camping spots and freebies to draw more people to your policital sim? Allowed, or should people focus on the message?

Padlurowncanoe Dibou said they don’t employ campers or free give aways. They do have entertainment: discussion panels and after that often have live music in the spirit of Second Life. People are here to have fun and socialise. Best conversations often happen during those live music events, as people tend to feel more relaxed and actually have/take the time that such conversations can take place.

Sairy Baily notes that you should be very careful if you’re running an official/endorsed campaign, that you keep to real life regulations. Be careful about the legal ramifications of give aways. Because if you do thinks like that, it can get kind of sticky, especially when they are allready other legal issues in regard to cash and money exchanges in Second Life.

Most ‘LMAO’ during the whole session: Myg wondering if she could get Padlurowncanoe Dibou to drop Hilary Clinton and start working for Romana Wei. I don’t know if in the end she suggested that to Padlurowncanoe. *grins*

The whole session was captured by SLCN and can be watched here.

Tags: blogher, politics