For Sale: A Second Life Island Paradise Called Obama

One recent day in Second Life, I was researching the state of real world politics in the metaverse, and quite by accident, stumbled on a private island called Obama.  Verdant and mountainous, the land of Obama is peaceful and untrammeled, and by its own sales description, everything is allowed without restrictions.  It is lorded over by a tall and regal black woman.   Who as it happens, is actually a virtual land manager from Vienna, Austria.

At first when I ask, Su Brando is cagey about whether she named Obama island after the American Senator of the same name, the one who happens to be running for President of the United States.

"If i did," she initially replies, "would it be a problem?" 

I tell her I don't think so, because after all, "Obama" is a relatively common name.  (Why, there's even a Japanese fishing village called that, too.)  Plus, I note, were the Senator even to know there was a virtual island that bore his name, he probably has other more pressing concerns to contend with.

Su Brando seems relieved when I say that.  "I am careful, you know," she says. "The Americans can be very strange.  With legal stuff etc."

The co-owner of a virtual land business called SIMSHOP, Ms. Brando did indeed name her island after Senator Barack Obama, she tells me.

"This name for me is a sign for hope, freedom and the future of the world," Ms. Brando says, and later adds:  "I tell you what, we as Europeans are observing the election in USA very carefully, it is about the future of our world, USA is very important, what happens there."  So naming her island Obama is a way of giving that yearning a tangible place, one that you can own.  (Though commercial considerations were apparently beside the point: when I tell her there's a large SL group of Obama supporters, she seems genuinely surprised.)

A day later I try to return to the island of Obama, but my teleport request keeps getting rejected.  Someone has already purchased the place, evidently, and the isle's description now reads:  "This land is dedicated to the next President of United States of America! WORK IN PROGRESS opening soon... Change Urban Hobo Neko Punk Goth Street Grunge." 

So for now, Obama seems off-limits to anyone not designated to be there, by Obama's controllers.  Leaving one to wonder what Obama will become, after next week, or in the subsequent four years.  Will Obama remain the uncorrupted paradise it once was, or will time and over-exposure lead to a measure of disenchantment?  Or just as possible still, will people like Su Brando keep coming along, re-making Obama into their image of Obama?

Comments

[Doubledown Tandino]

Just getting down to basics... why would anyone try to sell an island that won't bring in every potential buyer? Republicans have the money... If i were me, I'd sell islands called McCain and Palin, because I'd much rather take Republican's money... especially for selling em land, and they bought it, just because it was named McCain.

Anyway...all in all... the SL Obama support is an intelligent. We've come together, rallied, debated, and partied. No one is gonna fall for buying land simply for their support for Obama. ... but hey, Obama is popular now.
After November 4th, I'm sure a Thanksgiving island will appear for sale. Following that we'll see Hannakah island.

[Doubledown Tandino]

Anyway...all in all... the SL Obama support is an intelligent....

we may be smart....we just can't type....

***Anyway... all in all... the SL Obama supporters are intelligent