Dems in Congress Living in Virtual Reality

Jan. 4, 2007 — -- Starting this week, the Democrats in Congress will have another platform in which to promote their 2007 legislative agenda: virtual reality.

Second Life, a multiplayer online game, launched streaming video Thursday of the opening of the 110th Congress, followed by a virtual discussion between a select group of invited gamers and Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee.

"I think people underestimate how much politicians really do want to connect with the public, and this is a great way," said David Burk, chief executive officer of Clear Ink, a digital marketing firm that created the event.

While Democrats have jumped on the Second Life virtual bandwagon, using it to promote themselves and their issues, Burk said the space was designed to be nonpartisan.

"It's a great platform for meetings and social gatherings, so it's a great platform for politicians to get their message out," said Burk.

Miller, who's a close political ally of newly elected Speaker Nancy Pelosi, another Californian, was invited to discuss Pelosi's swearing-in and the Democrats' first 100 hours' agenda with Second Life users in the game's 3-D virtual world.

Related Stories

4 big takeaways from Day 10 of Trump trial

• May 2, 5:50 PM

'Life-threatening' flood conditions in Houston

• May 3, 3:41 PM

Man kills wife, 3 kids in mass shooting: Police

• Apr 23, 12:35 PM

Miller's avatar, or "in game" persona, was dressed in a gray suit and talked with gamers for about 45 minutes about House Democrats' initiatives.

Starting Friday, Second Life opens the discussion to the general public with virtual spaces available to discuss the Democratic legislative agenda -- an aggressive and widely promoted laundry list that includes funding stem cell research, lobbying reform and raising the minimum wage.

David Burk, CEO of the digital marketing firm that put together today's virtual question and answer event with Miller, said other Democratic congressional offices have contacted him, eager to host chats in the virtual world.

The creator said they've reached out to Republicans and anticipate that politicians of all stripes will begin using the technology.