Ronin Kurosawa

Second Life Isn’t Always the Right Idea

Ronin Kurosawa — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:13:26 +0000

As much as I hate to criticize one of the few people in Washington who actually has the courage to take on the current administration, I have my doubts about Dennis Kucinich’s entry into Second Life.

Kucinich almost makes me wish I was a Democrat.

The Kucinich Campaign Stumbles Into Second Life

Newt Gingrich is Thinner in the Metaverse

Ronin Kurosawa — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:57:27 +0000

It’s been a while since a real live politician created an avatar and spent some time in Second Life. Despite all of the hype about using virtual worlds as a political platform, we’ve seen surprisingly little in the way of real world politics in SL.

If Newt Gingrich has is way, all of this will change. I had an opportunity to attend Newt’s press conference on the steps of the virtual capital hill a couple weeks ago. My full report is on Medialoper.

The Gingrich Who Stole Second Life

My Weekend at the YearlyKos Convention

Ronin Kurosawa — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:13:12 +0000

I spent the weekend attending the YearlyKos convention in Second Life. All-in-all it was better than flying to Chicago and staying in a hotel.

YearlyKos is Dead, Long Live Netroots Nation

Unravelling the Kirby Scandal

Ronin Kurosawa — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:19:38 +0000

This has to qualify as one of the stranger stories I’ve covered. A political consultant gets a little too wrapped up in Second Life and ends up making a big mistake.

The Sad and Twisted Saga of a Political Consultant’s Battle With Nintendo’s Kirby

Things Are Different In Japan

Ronin Kurosawa — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 21:15:17 +0000

Election season has begun in the land of the rising sun, and that can only mean one thing — candidates are no longer allowed to update their websites. Kan Suzuki has even shuttered his Second Life headquarters.

A Land Where Politics and the Internet Don’t Mix

Gravel Expands His Second Life Experiment

Ronin Kurosawa — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:23:16 +0000

Still the only official campaign in Second Life, the Gravel people have expanded their use of the virtual word to include voter polling. So? Well, for one, it’s currently the only polling the official campaign is doing.

I cover the full story for Metaversed:

Presidential Campaign Polling Comes To Second Life

Authors In Second Life

Ronin Kurosawa — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 05:18:19 +0000

In my second post for Booksquare I profile two different authors who are using Second Life to promote their work and connect with readers. Why drive across country on a book tour when you can do just as well from home in your pajamas?

Living in a Writer’s Dream World

This Week I Talked to Too Many Lawyers

Ronin Kurosawa — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 05:11:59 +0000

I take a very detailed look at federal election laws and how they apply to online grassroots political activities. Then, for good measure, I apply those laws to the campaigns in Second Life. Most groups pass. One in particular may have problems — they’ve chosen to deal with those problems by avoiding me. A strategy like that can only work for so long.

How to Start a Political Revolution Without Breaking the Law

Do People Read In Virtual Worlds?

Ronin Kurosawa — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 05:14:53 +0000

I’m not sure they do, but publishers are exploring Second Life anyway. And with good cause. There’s plenty of opportunity to promote books and authors in SL. Not only that, it’s a great way for authors to connect with their readers.

My first post for Booksquare. They don’t pay well either. It turns out “per diem” doesn’t mean “per word”.

Publishers Explore the Metaverse

We’re Not in Pasadena Anymore

Ronin Kurosawa — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 05:09:08 +0000

Second Life can be a strange and foreign place. Mostly because everyone is from somewhere else — regardless of where you’re from. In this post I look at the global nature of SL.

Campaigning In A Global Village