When Governor Mark Warner came to Second Life, he was (and still is) an active force in Democratic politics, but by then, he had alrady left office as Virginia's governor. If all goes as planned, therefore, this Friday will mark the first time that office-holding politicians will enter SL in their capacity as government officials-- members of the Dutch Parliament, to be exact, who'll visit Second Life's Amsterdam and other regions frequented by real life Dutch citizens to raise awareness for the country's November 22 elections, and to "hand out flyers at Dam square, [debate] about healthcare and education, and generally touring around SL."
Their visit tops this week's edition of Mixed Reality Mondays, a round-up of recent and upcoming real world corporate/non-profit/government/cultural/scientific initiatives launched in Second Life. Details after the break.
Mixed Reality Politics
Second Life Amsterdam, Real life Dutch parliamentarians: Event publicist Wild Winger (seen above in rainbow-hued wings) sends along the details: "In the following three weeks, Dutch politicians Zsolt Szabó (VVD), Arda Gerkens (SP), Bert Bakker (D66) and Ad Koppejan (CDA) will be campaigning in Second Life as well as in real life. With the elections to be held on November 22, they are visiting locations in SL that are frequented regularly by Dutch people, from where they will hand out election flyers. The Members of Parliament will also tour projects in SL dealing in the field of health care and education. All of the participants recognize the importance of virtual worlds like SL: 'Such worlds are becoming more and more realistic and, consequently, the impact they have on people and society increases, too. Politicians should be aware of this development.'" Their appearance in Dam square appearance is scheduled for 4:10-4:30am SLT.
British political party in SL: The libertarian UK Independence party (4th largest in the country!) opens an office in Second Life.
Mixed Reality Culture, Arts, and the Sciences
SL Screenshot by James Deavin
Second Life as art object: Starting November 1st in New York City, British photographer will be showing off a series of SL screenshots at the jen bekman art gallery.
Mixed reality rock: Toronto-based indy band Uncle Seth are performing an SL/RL gig on November 25.
Tracking real world weather in Second Life: On the island sponsored by NOAA, sometime NWN contributor Aimee Weber sets America's weather to dynamic 3D.
Metaverse time capsule: The Electric Sheep prodce and host a Yahoo! time capsule of SL creations.
Mixed Reality Business
Nissan launches an SL presence: with racetrack, stunt course, and free car vending machine.
Do you want your SLTV? Rivers Run Red will launch an SL-viewable TV network in November.
Pontiac "car culture" comes to Second Life: Introducing Motorati, an island conceived by Pontiac ad agency Leo Burnett and NWN sponsor Millions of Us.
Real world PR/Marketing firms take root: Centric opens up shop on the Maui sim, as does crayon (with the help of NWN sponsor MOU.) Crayon's launch provokes some brickbacks, leading the founder to say, "Opening up a storefront/presence in Second Life is not dissimilar to a Wal-Mart opening up in a small town."
*Update, 10/31: Corrected top screenshot caption from Zingg Akami to Gwendolyne Kronsage .
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