Virtual politics ascended to a new level yesterday when Rep. George Miller (D-CA) gave a speech in the just-opened virtual House of Representatives chamber on Second Life. But Miller had to wait - Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) came first when she was sworn in as the first female Speaker of the House, an event that was broadcast live within the Second Life chamber.
Miller briefed the invited guests on the top priorities of the new Democratic-controlled Congress. As testament to the fact that virtual worlds have their own topsy-turvy logic, Miller said that what he liked best about his participation, which was conducted through an avatar that resembled him, was that he got to interact with “people.”
“It’s a very different forum for a member of Congress,” he said. “It’s also very exciting, because it gives us an opportunity to interact with people … that are interested in what’s taking place in the United States and the Congress.”
Live videos from the “first life” House of Representatives will run in the virtual chamber and Democrats plan to make future appearances in the cyber facility. Although Miller is the first sitting congressman to appear on Second Life, former Virginia governor and one-time presidential candidate Mark Warner gave a talk in the virtual world last August.
Cynthia Brumfield at 12:08 PM|Comments(0)
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