Congressman goes virtual – Second Life to the rescue!
Now your congressman has no excuse not to attend important world summits – not when he can send a virtual avatar in his place. That’s precisely what Rep. Edward Markey did when he found himself unable to escape Congress to go to the Bali Climate Summit, going on from the 3rd to the 14th of December.
The AP reported that Markey decided to send his address via a Second Life avatar. He was quoted saying that despite being unable to attend in the flesh, "…it was critical to show the leaders gathered in Bali that they have partners here in America who are deeply concerned about solving global warming and re-engaging the United States on the global stage."
Markey’s address was also highlighted on the summit’s webpage at OneClimate.net with the charming blurb – "US Congressman speaks at Climate Summit through Virtual Bali to save CO2 – so can you!" They also made sure to point out that his speech in the setting was a low-carbon means of getting his message across. No carbon-emitting flights necessary, with Cisco Systems working together with the site to provide the virtual environment.
The site itself offers more Second Life integration by allowing visitors to interact and ask questions to delegates. Not-so inclined to go the Second Life route? Watch videos of the proceedings instead.
Markey was enchanted enough with the whole concept to declare that his first foray into Second Life "..won’t be my last!"
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December 12th, 2007
Makes it hard for other poiticians not to “attend” these things.
December 12th, 2007
Thank you for this great piece. I am sure it will help to make more people aware that we need to connect with one another – but that does not mean we need to fly to do so each time!