Live Blogging The US Elections From Second Life

Final update, 8:30pm:  I'm at the Obama headquarters now, amid bright (and laggy) jubilation, and not a little brickbats and snark as the audience listens to McCain's concession speech.  But as awareness of Senator Obama's victory solidifies, past bitterness melts into outright celebration.  Some pics from the HQ below:

Earlier entries [and photos] after the break.

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6:45pm, SLT:  I'll be following the US Presidential election as Residents experience it in-world through the night. I'm at Capitol Hill (direct SLURL teleport at this link), where Kiwini Oe is updating an electoral map, which currently shows Obama gaining a large lead, while some 20 Residents avidly discuss the results with furious chat.  Above us is the Capitol dome, which has been made translucent, to symbolize a hope for democratic transparency. Among the audience is Princess Ivory, who offers this comment:

"I think that this is one of those elections," she says, "regardless of its outcome, that will go down in the history books as being a significant moment of change in the way we communicate, share data, etc. And the immediacy of the online environment tends to mobilize people. They don't feel so alone. They are part of something larger."

Nearby, Latha Serevi offers this cautious note: "Although we exaggerate the effect of the 'net sometimes -- it's largely just a conduit for people to communicate the same old ideas to each other -- I do think we're seeing some broad-based digital democracy with a larger number of voices being heard. Yay, us."

7:15pm, SLT:  McCain Headquarters, Sagamore Island.  (Direct SLURL teleport at this link.) This isle is crowded over and lag-heavy with 60-plus Residents. There's a palpable edge of bitterness, as the results already lean heavily toward Obama.  Not all in attendance, as these excerpts suggest, are McCain supporters:

"Man this is big," says Senova Bellic. "Americans should be proud that such a profound political change has happened without a shot being fired."

"Palin is a Governor and was cleared of all charges on ethics case," seethes Sonicity Fitzroy, "funny just in time of election, after media ruined her."

"But those who so despise Palin must be leftists," Parmeneides Ethaniel is saying in another conversation.  "How can you hate Oalin when she has never given any reason to hate her so viscerally as some people do?"

"I don't hate Palin," replies Mohammed Rajal, grinning.  "I just disagree with practically all her views on pretty much everything... but she seems like a nice person."

8:00pm, SLT:  Obama for President headquarters (direct SLURL teleport at this link): CNN, ABC, and other major outlets have called the election for Barack Obama, and this is what the jubilation looks like: a farrago of chat lines and blurry bright colors.

Many have sound effects of cheering, and those are shaking the place.

Among the celebrants:  Ewoks for Obama, Minotaurs for Obama (above).

Comments

[Doubledown Tandino]

At approximately 5pm, assocated press posted this article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/election_online_communities

[Ann Otoole]

Congratulations America.

Another Peaceful Transition of Power setting the example for the world that indeed it is possible for good things to happen.

[Efemera Bisiani]

Well done America! When I read the news over here in the UK this morning, I swear I teared up.

[Two Worlds]

Haha, good to see someone else got the same "Endor at the end of Return of the Jedi" celebration vibe I did at seeing all the Obama celebrations late Tuesday night.